NJP has established a new feature called “Quick Set” where we ask NJ’s best high school volleyball players a quick set of questions and feature the answers daily on the site. Congratulations to the players selected and we appreciate the time taken to jump in and share their thoughts. (Players: Watch your IG messages for future invites) The questions will change throughout the season and we expect some players will repeat as being a part of this content in the future. Let’s applaud these role models for representing NJ’s best!

April 5, 2023

Justin Hidalgo is a 6’2″ junior pin hitter for the Newark East Side Red Raiders. After a solid sophomore year, Justin had 11 kills in East Side’s first match of the season resulting in a three set win over Payne Tech.

Tell us about your team this season.

Our East Side team is looking really good. We have a lot of potential. We just need to apply ourselves, but overall we are looking great. As a team, we are young because we lost 12 seniors last year, and only 2 veterans were left. We have a lot to work on, but don’t count us out. We are a young team, but we are hungry and are aiming high. For a young team we have a lot of potential and I’m so happy being on this team because we all push each other to be better and all out of love.

Which schools are your biggest league rivals?

Our biggest league rivals is Livingston.

Tell us about your opening game of the season!

Our opening game was a three set thriller. We are still learning how to play with each other. We had a rough first set, but then we came back with the dub.

What’s the best part of being on your school’s volleyball team?

The best part of being a part of my school team is the family that we create at East Side. I personally love that.