September 25, 2023
The pie was delicious. We ate a big hunk of it late this afternoon.
In yesterday’s blog, we pointed out the outrageous score keeping of Middletown South in their game against Red Bank Catholic last week. The Eagles recorded 100 digs in the 3-set match. NJP’s initial thoughts were Ha. Ha. Ha. Impossible. And in a very passive aggressive manner posted the scorecard with a “What’s wrong with this picture” sentiment. Not very nice.
Today, we decided to view the game and keep our own score so we can show the “real” results in comparison to the reported results in alignment with our mission to bring accuracy to record keeping in NJ HS volleyball. This is where it gets very uncomfortable for us and and pretty damn amazing for the members of Middletown South’s coach staff, players, and fans. Of course, the technology did not cooperate with the video only recording the third set and some down time during the video that missed 10 of the points of the set. But surprisingly to us, and not so surprising to Eagle fans, our score keeping tallied 28 digs for the Eagles over the 36 points we viewed. If you calculate and extrapolate the same rate for the rest of the match, it equals 107. So the 100 dig number seems very reasonable and truly believable after watching. And kudos to the Eagles. The players have some exceptional skills on defense. at least 7 of the digs were one-handed. RBC logged over 60 digs and using the same method we projected their count at 71.
So after eating a large piece of humble pie, having a small portion of crow and dirt, and dropping down a peg, we have a big apology to voice. Damn, even my dog kicked me in the teeth this afternoon.
Coach Lisa Thorne, please accept our apology. Middletown South players and fans, we are very sorry. The NJP predictor took the “L” on this one. We have to look at all score keeping with an open mind and invite the NJ volleyball community to view it the same way and not jump to conclusions the way we did.
A lot happened this weekend with a complete website update, a new blog, ranking, rating, standings, and player rater launches, and lots of other data to try to absorb.
Let’s look at some of tonight’s action. Updates will continue through the night so check back for new content through 1AM:
A big match in Hudson County this afternoon as undefeated Hudson Catholic took on Memorial at 6-1. The Hawks, under Coach Shayla Ware, are blossoming and improved to 7-0 as they held Memorial to 10 and 16 in two sets. Another huge night for Sydney Salazar as she smashed 13 kills and an ace. Aidaliz Rivera crushed 5 aces and 8 kills, and Rebeka Castillo set the table with 21 assists. Hudson has shown the ability and could possibly run the table this year leading up to County’s and playoffs.
Donovan Catholic remains unbeaten with their win over RBC today, improving to 12-0. The Casey’s gave the Griffins a good scare in set 1, but got closed out 25-22. Set 2 was all DC powered by a strong service effort by the Griffins as they posted 15 overall aces in the match. Shantel Starling provided 3 of those aces as well as 9 kills, a block, and 8 digs.
Kingsway limited Salem Tech to just 9 points as the took care of business and improved to 6-2. Logan Schaffer had 10 assists and 6 aces for the Dragons.
Our Lady of Mercy improved to 7-1 with a three set victory over Cedar Creek. Nicolette Linden had 3 aces, 7 assists, 5 digs, a block, and 6 kills in an outstanding overall performance. Annalise Kuppel torched 6 aces, 4 kills and 6 digs, Sophia Sacco had 6 kills and 2 aces, and Khalia Lewis had 5 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces, and 2 digs for the winners.
You have to love what Coach Matt Brunelli is doing at Cliffside Park. The Red Raiders keep getting better every year he has coached. Last season CP went 16-10 after a 15-11 season in 2021 and a 3-12 in 2020. After tonight’s straight set win at North Arlington, Cliffside Park is 10-0. Isabela Morales once again led the attack with 9 kills, the 6th match this Fall that Isabela has had 9 kills or more.
Rachel Williams and Haiden Fuhrmann combined for 25 kills as Union Catholic mowed down Roselle Catholic tonight in straight sets. The Vikings are now 6-3 and RC falls back to 5-3.
Passaic Charter Junior Natalie Cortes showed a lot of leadership today as she orchestrated a straight set win over North Star Academy. Cortes posted 11 assists and 8 aces to help Passaic Charter improve to 3-3.
Delaska Pacara Briceno, Samora Campbell, Aiana Patterson, Emmie Diaz, and Luana Chacaltana all helped drive Carteret to the first win in their school’s history tonight against College Achieve Central. Cpngrats to all the players, parents and fans as well as Coach Carly Kjersgaard.
The Southern Rams cruised past TRS to improve to 11-0, Sparta beat a tough Jefferson squad and is now 7-0, Barnegat squeaked out a straight set win over Trinity Hall and are now 8-1, Williamstown smacked Camden Catholic in straight sets and are now 7-2 on the season, and Mother Seton is now 7-2 after outlasting South Plainfield in three sets. .
A big performance from senior Alexandra DalliCardillo for Central Regional as they turn back Point Pleasant Beach in 2 sets. Alexandra punched 13 kills to add to her Fall total of 55. Madison Lennox had 7 aces and 3 kills and Halee Smentkowski added 6 kills for the winners.
Some great match-ups coming Tuesday so check them out if you can. Take the day off from work, skip class, post bail, do whatever it takes to get to the gym… this is Volleyball!
Morristown at Morris Knolls, Secaucus @ St. Mary’s, Paul VI at Lenape, Demarest vs. Old Tappan, Bogota at West Morris central, Westfield at Union Catholic.
Good night!