September 24, 2023
Check back all day for new updates and additions.
Lots of updates on the site this weekend.
For our first team ranking of the year, click HERE.
NJP’s analytical conference and divisional standings are HERE.
The first NJP Player Rater is out and can be seen HERE.
Here are some highlights and observations for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
IHA remains a solid number one in NJ as they look to repeat as NJ state champion. The computer algorithm has a cluster near the top but the Blue Eagles are undefeated and have solid rating lead. Numerous teams are battling for second as we still have 23 undefeated teams out of over 320 teams. We will see the number of undefeated teams dwindle over the next few weeks to a handful, but for now the rating remain tight in the top 20. Southern, Sparta, Livingston, Donovan Catholic, and Princeton are all undefeated and remain within a rating point of one another. Westfield, East Brunswick, Northern Highlands, Hillsborough, and Morristown are undefeated and in the top 20. Two teams to watch are Lenape (9-1) and St, Mary’s (9-0) who have entered the top 25. Both teams are playing exceptional volleyball early on.
The algorithm is not valuing some teams with strong records thus far. Bergen Tech did not crack the top 30 despite a 7-1 start and very weird to see Bogota at #59. Tenafly lost so many seniors last season is now in the 60’s. Howell and Hudson Catholic are off to great starts but currently are ranked #79 and #83 respectively.
Turning to the player side of the rankings, Congrats to Taylor Miller and her resounding lead after the first two weeks. The senior is a D1 commit to Marist and is a powerhouse on the attack and the block.Some familiar names near the top including Dajah Williams from Williamstown, Aileen Xu from Hillsborough, and Molly Regulski from Southern. Two Kent Place stars jump into the top 10 with Alex Grinnis and Lauren Osuala, the only team to have 2 players in the top 10. Noting Shantel Starling at #17 and Jordyn Hamlin at #25. Aries Fontaine has been a dominant force for Elizabeth, the senior slotting in at #4. The first sophomore on the board is #13 Lily Philipov from Millburn. Sophia McCullough (Teaneck) and Ashley Markle (Old Bridge) are two freshman in the top 75. Tenafly senior Sophia Tapia has been off the chart early on this season.
Governor Livingston went undefeated (winning every set) and won the Millburn HS tournament today (Saturday). The Highlanders defeated Linden, Roselle Catholic and Scotch Plains-Fanwood in pool play and then defeated Hillsborough 25-15 in the single set semi-final and Madison 25-18 in the championship. Other participating teams were Morris Hills, Millburn, Columbia, New Providence, Mountain Lakes and AL Johnson.
#1 IHA stormed into Livingston and won their third Livingston Invitational Tournament in a row on Saturday. As usual, Immaculate Heart Academy is looking sharp, are #1 in the NJP ratings, and are transitioning to life without NJ’s Queen of Volleyball Coaches, Maria Nolan.
In other tournament action, Williamstown traveled North to participate in the Northern Valley Tournament Saturday. They were the only team south of the Driscoll that participated. They joined the host Demarest in the same pool and ended up in the finals together. Here are some details:
Pool A
- Hunterdon Central (6-0) (Hunterdon Central beat OT twice in Pool Play)
- Old Tappan (4-2)
Pool B
- Demarest (5-1) (Demarest & Williamstown split sets in pool play 25-18 & 19-25).
- Williamstown (5-1)
Pool C
- Verona (6-0)
- River Dell )(3-3)
Pool D
- Sparta (6-0)
- Bergen Tech (3-3)
Playoffs were 1 set to 25 pts.
1st Round Demarest (1) beat River Dell (2), OT (2) beat Sparta (1), Williamstown (2) beat Verona, (1)Hunterdon Central (1) beat Bergen Tech (2)
2nd Round Williamstown beat OT, Demarest beat Hunterdon Central
Final Williamstown beat Demarest in one set (25-19?). Congrats to the Braves!!!
Everybody loves watching the big kills or monster blocks that happen on the court. But for us, watching an energetic, quick, passionate, and acrobatic libero can be all of the best highlight videos. Take a look at Nutley junior Amanda Scaperotta who is leading the state in digs with 182. Great stuff!!!
Thoughts on this scorekeeping?
Anyone have a video of this game?
We follow the guidelines provided when recording stats. It was a long match (3 sets that were each a marathon: 26-24; 25-27; & 25-21), which made it possible to accumulate such high stats. RBC had high stats too: 41 kills, 8 blocks, 63 digs, 34 assists, 0 service points, and 9 aces.