October 4, 2023

Let’s start tonight’s blog with a look at key match-ups and results from the past few days, including tonight. These match-ups could have state playoff implications, conference/division impact or influence on the Top 20.

This week, we saw IHA take down two strong NJ squads. The Blue Eagles easily handled Verona on Tuesday and Northern Highlands on Wednesday, giving more credence to their prowess and capabilities. Michelle Yoo’s squad is now 16-0 on the year and solidified at the #1 spot in NJP’s rankings.

St. Mary’s won both of their games this week as well, the first was a monster straight set win over Big North power Fair Lawn limiting the Cutters to just 31 points. The Gaels are 12-2 and are primed to be the favorites in the Non-Pubic B grouping.

Williamstown is in stride and starting to roll as they collect their 9th win a row as they dissect Kingsway in straight sets. They have stacked their schedule against solid teams but we expect them to continue to roll heading into a back to back with Princeton and Old Bridge next week.

A big shout out to Summit Head Coach Tony Martins as he collects his 200th win in his high school career this past week. The Hilltoppers are 8-3 and have strung together a 4 game win streak as the remain near the top of the UCC-Mountain.

West Morris Central came within inches of handing Sparta their first loss of the season. The Wolfpack took set 2 and pressed hard in set three powered by Elizabeth Murphy and Kaitlyn Belen prowess on the attack. The Spartans hung on for a 26-24 set 3 win. This would have been a major upset but it reflects in the standings as just another W for Sparta. The Spartans will need to get juiced to stay with IHA on 10/9 on what could be a battle of #1 vs. #2 pending this weekends ranking update. And Sparta still has matches vs. Bergen Tech and Westfield prior to that showcase matchup.

Montclair Immaculate has not made the pages of our blog much this season. Immaculate has quietly built an undefeated season and sits at 12-0 in the SEC and overall. A strong serving team, Immaculate has ripped up the Independence division of the SEC. Senior Jordan Hunter has provided 50 kills and 26 blocks on the season and junior Nila Giraud has 60 kills, 27 blocks and over 150 digs. Senior libero Gabrielle Fraser has been outstanding on the back line lifting 243 digs and Imani Shakur has orchestrated the attack with 135 assists and a team leading 45 aces. Montclair Immaculate is another leader, along with St. Mary’s in the Non-Public B state playoff grid.

NJP will be taking a look at some of the high school players over the last number of years who have gone on to play at the collegiate level to see how they are progressing in their volleyball career. Tonight, we start the series with a look at former Kent Place Dragon Sabrina Skyers who went on the play D1 volleyball at Tulane. For a link to the article… CLICK HERE

Shantel Starling with another big night for Donovan Catholic as they improve to 17-1 with a win over Barnegat. Shantel smashed 14 kills in the 2 set victory and looked unstoppable at times. Carly Bowliss had 4 blocks and 5 kills for the winners. Next Monday night, the Griffins will host the Rams of Southern in a must-see matchup of Shore elite.

East Brunswick fell for only the second time this season at the hands of the Hunterdon Central Red Devils. Reagan Dyba had 8 kills and 3 blocks to help improve HC’s record to 10-3. Hunterdon has Williamstown coming up this Saturday as they continue to position for their Group 4 match-ups.

Verona got back on track after getting dumped by IHA with a straight set win over Cedar Grove, limiting them to just 17 points in 2 sets. Taylor Miller led Demarest to an easy win over Tenafly tonight posting 14 kills, 2 blocks and 2 aces. Livingston cruised by Newark Academy to improve to 13-1 powered by Nadia Khalaj’s 7 kills. Southern blew out Jackson Memorial in straight sets as well.

Maya and Layla Giordano each had 3 blocks as Old Tappan turned back Pascack Valley tonight. Maya added 9 kills and Layla had 5 kills as they led OT to an 11-1 record.

Toms River North took down Brick Memorial in an upset at the shore. The 9-2 Mustangs looked in control when they took the second set 25-16 but North turned up the heat in set 3 and dominated the last set 25-13. The Mariners improved to 4-5.

WWPS defeated Bridgewater Raritan tonight in 2 close sets. The Pirates have strung together three in a row after dropping 4 straight games to Vianney, Donovan, Monroe, and Notre Dame, a very rough schedule stretch indeed. We note some milestones achieved by Pirate players above and below.

Here is the USA Today/AVCA Regional Top 10 for Region 2 (NJ included). Noting #1 IHA and #7 Southern.

Region 2:

1. Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.)

Record: 9-0

2. Pope John Paul II (Royersford, Pa.)

Record: 18-0-2

3. Arundel High School (Gambrills, Md.)

Record: 5-0

4. Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington, Md.)

Record: 5-0

5. Glenelg (Md.)

Record: 9-0-1

6. Smyrna (Del.)

Record: 5-0

7. Southern Regional (Manahawkin, N.J.)

Record: 11-0

8. Flint Hill School (Oakton, Va.)

Record: 13-2

9. Unionville (Kennett Square, Pa.)

Record: 11-2-1

10. Jackson-Reed (Washington, D.C.)

Record: 7-0