May 2, 2022

There is a new NJP ranking out for 5/1. The link is here… https://njpowerranking.com/2022/05/01/updated-nj-hs-volleyball-ranking-for-5-1/

Here is the link to the updated 5/1 Standings… https://njpowerranking.com/2022/05/01/updated-hs-volleyball-standings-for-5-1/

NJP also prepared the first Sectional Ranking of the season as of 5/1 at https://njpowerranking.com/2022/05/01/sectional-rankings-through-5-1/

Sectional Review

The Sectional ranking is always revealing so let’s take a look at some bullet observations…

North 1 has a newcomer in Livingston who was switched this year from North 2. Livingston is currently the highest rated North 1 team with Fair Lawn second, despite 6 losses. We count 22 teams currently eligible as we head toward the state cutoff. It will be an interesting seeding process with several teams with outstanding records being weighed against teams who have played a higher caliber schedule. Lakeland and Bergenfield currently have the best records at 13-1 and 10-0 respectively. NJP weighs North 1 in the bottom two sections overall.

North 2 remains strong despite losing Livingston with undefeated SPF powering the way. The Raiders are a clear #1 to get out of their sectional unscathed. Ridge along with Union County’s Union and Summit and Hudson County’s Harrison, Bayonne, and Kearny will all joust for the top spot. We have 19 eligible as of today.

Central is always the power section with half of the top 25 coming from this grid. St. Joe’s, CBA, Hillsborough, and Old Bridge (going for 4 state championships in a row) lead this grid. 21 teams are currently eligible.

In the South sectional, Southern is 10 rating points better than anyone in the sectional. The Rams have yet to lose a set and should have an easy ride to the final 4.

It will take major upsets to stop Southern, SPF, and Livingston to reach the final 4. The Central will be a dogfight with anything possible.

PLAYER RATER HIGHLIGHTS

We also updated our NJP Player Rater as of Sunday 5/1. The link for that is https://njpowerranking.com/2022/05/02/njp-updated-new-jersey-high-school-boys-volleyball-player-rater-for-5-1/

We took a deep dive into the player rater algorithm and prepared some splits by class year so you can see the top players in the formula by grad date…

OVERALL RATER

SENIORS

JUNIORS

SOPHS

FRESHMAN

We also rated our top performers by category based on the algorithm as well. We applied our proprietary formula to attack, block, defense, and setting as well as serving abilities. Here is the top 25 in each category:

BEST ATTACKERS

BEST BLOCKING DEFENSE

BEST DEFENDERS

BEST SETTERS

BEST SERVERS

Ivy Commitment

A big shout out to Iman Handy of Kent Place. Iman was our very first interview on the NJP website for our girls coverage when she was a freshman. She has been accepted and will be furthering her academic and athletic careers at Harvard University this Fall. Iman played her club volleyball at VB Rags.

NJ College Choices

NJCU has announced their NJ player recruiting class for Fall 2022. Congrats to all of these current seniors who will be advancing their academic and athletic careers for the Gothic Knights…

Alex Casais, Bayonne, Garden State Elite

Victor De Souza, East Side, Sideout Sports

Erik Narvaez, East Side, Sideout Sports

Ethen Lugo, Kearny, CJVA

Chris Poncio, Kearny

We have these players choosing to stay home in NJ as well…

David Flores (Old Bridge) Kean

Pavlo Chernyshov (Old Bridge) Rutgers-Newark

Jack Freese (Hillsborough) Kean

Chris Mitchell (Howell) Kean

Sean Spring (East Brunswick) Rutgers-Newark

Andrew Duhaime (Jefferson) Kean

Dan Pugliano (Jefferson) Kean

Another big week ahead. And don’t forget our Mother’s Day message leading up to next Sunday!!!

For all the boys players in NJ…

Mother’s Day is coming up fast. Teenage boys are not always known for being the best at showing appreciation on Mom’s special day. These events can make all the difference in a parents life. So don’t approach next Sunday unprepared. Some of the things that will mean the most have no cost. Writing your Mom a hand-written note or card can really make her day. Nothing says you need to buy an expensive floral bouquet but one rose is always a great gesture. Take time to make the day special… she will never forget it!

UPDATE:

During the Player Rater algorithm run, 9 teams stats were not included. Apologies for this. The nine teams are Ferris, Hammonton, Holmdel, Iselin-Kennedy, Memorial, North Brunswick, North Star, Ridge, West Essex… And here are the players that should have been included… All of these teams and players will be included in the next player rater run coming soon.