September 21, 2023
We are two full weeks into the 2023 Fall NJ Girl’s Volleyball season and you know what that means… The NJP rating and ranking algorithms now have enough data to be statistically viable and we will be launching a wide variety of “first-look” computer rankings this weekend. With well over 300 teams at the varsity level, the number crunching will be in full swing for teams, players, and a wide variety of other stats that we will include in our blog.
From our pre-runs on the data to date, I don’t think there will be any big surprises on the team rankings. We will say that so far, one player in the state in over 100 rating points better than any other. Can you guess he the #1 player per the NJP algorithm will be? You’ll have to wait for the weekend to find out.
Many top 20 teams will be invading Demarest this weekend as they host the Northern Valley Invitational Tournament this Saturday, 9/23. Looks like it will be worth the trip to see some awesome match-ups of some of the best teams in the North plus a visit from one of the best teams in South Jersey, Williamstown. Dajah Williams (Williamstown), Taylor Miller (Demarest), Cassandra Chauhan (Montville), Sadie Ardito (Ridgewood), Aralyn Saulys (Sparta), Melanie Lara (Fair Lawn), Chloe Anselmi (Northern Highlands) and Erin McCabe (River Dell) are just a few of the outstanding players that will be participating. Come support for a great cause.
We will also get a first look this weekend at NJP’s player ranking by class. Some amazing freshman have hit the floor this season and we also look forward to highlighting the many second year players who have made outstanding contributions to their teams.
Remember when NJP wrote in one of the blogs last week that IHA’s schedule, which did not include any out of state matches or big trips south to face the powers below the midline of NJ, may indicate less expectations from this years squad. Well, never mind. IHA was all business tonight as they dissected a very strong Old Tappan team, winning in straight sets. Kalena Stavish had 20 assists in the big win, Eve Roman and Julia Sobilo had 7 kills each, and Abby Romero had 22 big digs in the Blue Eagle win. Emily Sabino was a show stopper for IHA as she put back 6 big blocks in the match. IHA will be fighting for #1 billing in the NJP computer algorithm which has 6 teams hovering for the top spot in the premier ranking of the season.
The very young Princeton Tigers continue to impress this season and are off to a 9-0 start after taking down the Big Red of Lawrenceville and their star junior Julia Dublin. Charlotte Woods and Kaelin Bobetich each had 6 kills and Lois Matsukawa posted 11 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 kills for the winners. Dublin posted 12 kills for Lawrenceville.
What a great match in the Skyland tonight as 5-1 Rutgers Prep took on 4-3 Delaware Valley. Rutgers came out strong and it looked like a runaway after crushing DV 25-11 in the first set. But Valley took the next two sets and won going away to improve to 5-3.
Also in the Skyland, Hillsborough remained undefeated, powered by 17 kills from Aileen Xu as the Raiders downed Hunterdon Central in three sets. Total points over the 3 sets favored Hillsborough by a count of 72-70 showing how close these teams are in talent.
Livingston improved to 8-0 with a straight set win over West Essex today. 9 kills for Nadia Khalaj and 25 assists for Isabela Ubrig set the tone for the Lancers.
Morristown has yet to lose a set this year and improved to 5-0 with their win over Morris Hills on Wednesday. Both Gwen and Hailey Atkins are driving the success.
Sophomore Maggie Carcillo had the best match of her young career as she blasted 8 kills and an ace to lead Paul VI over Cherokee in straight sets. The Eagles are now 8-0.
Colts Neck continues to struggle despite some top performances on the attack by Kendra Thor (17 kills, 4 aces) and Savannah Butz (9 blocks, 7 kills). It was Middletown South’s night as the Eagles got 15 digs and 15 kills from Cameron Kapier over three sets. The third set went 25-23. Tight!
Howell improved to 5-0 dropping Marlboro in straight sets. 20 assists from Savannah Torres and 10 kills from Gabia Grigaliunas powered the win.
With Lodi Immaculate shuttering its program after last season, St. Mary’s (Ruth) has benefited from a few transfers who are carrying on their winning tradition. Mia Gonzalez, Gabriella Weiss, and Noelle Savonije have infused a high level of talent to go along with the already sound regulars at St. Mary’s and the Gael’s are off to a 8-0 start after taking care of NJIC rival Lyndhurst tonight in 3 sets.
Union Catholic took on Elizabeth tonight with the match featuring three top NJ players Haiden Fuhrman and Rachel Williams from UC and Aries Fontaine from Elizabeth. All three players had close to identical stats but Union Catholic had the depth to defeat Elizabeth in straight sets. The Vikings improved to 5-3.
How did it get to be 2AM. Ugh. More to come this weekend.