October 2, 2023
We will be updating the blog all night long so stay tuned for new content…
Verona celebrates above as they take down undefeated Livingston to improve to 13-1. Marley Kramer posted 30 assists and 19 digs in the epic three set rivalry match. Kendra Santos led the attack with 13 kills.
Roxbury hung tough with Sparta tonight but the Spartans took both sets 25-20, 25-22. Sparta is now 12-0. Donovan Catholic got back on track after their first loss of the season to Monroe last week with a straight set victory over Lacey to improve to 16-1.
Williamstown took care of business again tonight against Washington Township. The Braves appear a few points ahead of Township this season so far. Tonight was another classic Dajah Williams performance as she collected 14 of Dubtown’s 17 kills and added 2 blocks and an ace. Sophomore Lora Kunicki lifted 11 digs and led the Braves with 4 aces. Williamstown is now 10-2 and have won 8 in a row.
Life in the Big North can be a real pain in the butt as evidenced by Ramapo’s season thus far. The Raiders picked up another win at Paramus tonight to even their record at 5-5. Ramapo is a solid team but has endured losses to IHA, Demarest, Northern Highlands, and River Dell. Interesting to note how freshman Sara Wingfield is developing. She had 12 kills tonight and now has 58 on the season along with 18 aces. She is the only freshman on the squad and is a player to watch out for the rest of this season and beyond.
Pascack Valley has had an outstanding season this far with their only losses coming at the hands of the best of Bergen County (IHA, Demarest, and Old Tappan). They had another matchup against Demarest tonight and the Norseman ended up dominating the match in straight sets. It does reflect the strength of those three teams as Pascack Valley has not lost a set outside of those teams all season.
East Brunswick improved to 8-1 with a straight set win over Iselin Kennedy but it was much closer than anticipated. Kasey Trzaska, Morgan Stoner, and Abby Wolfe led the attack and Jacqueline Wong and Julia Gawel combined for 18 assists for the Bears.
A big night for Sophia Tapia from Tenafly. Sophia is #2 in NJ right now in the NJP Player Rater and she is making her run at Demarest’s Taylor Miller. Sophia had 12 kills over 2 sets in their win against Teaneck and added 3 blocks, 3 digs, and 3 assists. The senior is having an outstanding season and will pass her kill total from from her junior year within the week.
It’s been remarkable at the success that Hoboken has seen since the Walia-Peters sisters arrived as freshman two years ago. The Redwings blew out Bayonne tonight and improved their record to 10-1 overall. They avenged their only loss of the season last week against Ferris and appear poised to perhaps run the table leading up to their match against Hudson Catholic in two weeks. That would be the movie ending with American vs National in a Cinderella matchup. Morgan Walia-Peters now has 80 kills, 31 aces, and 50 digs for the year, and Madison has set the table with 165 assists, 34 aces, and 53 digs. But the great thing to see is the interest in the program from the students as the roster continues to grow as the teams success gets better and better. Players like juniors Stella Jacey and Annelien Schissler, sophomores Marina Boyajian and Nina O’Keefe, and senior Kayla Zegarra have positioned this team for great success.
Fair Lawn cut down Wayne Valley in a critical Big North matchup tonight. Melanie Lara had 9 kills and 9 digs, Faith Erasmo posted 20 assists 13 digs, Yazmin Lecca had 6 kills and 7 digs, and Monica Mercado had 20 digs and 2 aces for the Cutters.
Howell with another win tonight as they down PPB in straight sets. Junior Keira Mullen has been strong all year and had 11 kills tonight. The Rebels only loss this season was to Donovan Catholic. They have Middletown South coming up on 10/9 which should be a great match as these two teams went to the mat the first go around with three sets and a 27-25 final score in set 3.
West Essex moves into first place in the SEC Liberty and can clinch the division with a win Wednesday at Bloomfield. West Essex has won 7 of their last 8 with wins over West Orange, Mount Saint Dominic, Caldwell, Nutley, Columbia and Montclair. They also played Verona to a 26-24 set in their first set in their last loss.
Brick Memorial scorched Toms River East to improve to 9-2 on the season. Sophomore Emily Fitzgerald has excelled during her first varsity season. Memorial has put together a 7 game winning streak leading into a big match with Southern on Thursday.
Cliffside Park suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Big North rival Hackensack. Park had put together a 13 game win streak to start the season but were still ranked at #45 in NJ despite the undefeated record. Hackensack improved to 12-4.
Tuesday schedule includes big games:
Governor Livingston vs. Union Catholic
Verona visits IHA
Notre Dame at Princeton.
Good Night!