October 6, 2024 (Special thanks to Tom Matko Photography)

Reagan Dyba, a senior at Hunterdon Central High School, has been a standout player for the Red Devils’ volleyball team. Over her high school career, Reagan has demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership on the court. In her junior season, she played a pivotal role in her team’s success, amassing an impressive 290 kills, 110 digs, and 33 aces. Her performance has not only earned her recognition within her school but also across the state, making her one of the top players to watch in New Jersey high school volleyball.

Reagan’s journey in volleyball began at a young age, and her dedication to the sport is evident in her continuous improvement and consistent performance. As a senior, she has recorded 152 kills and 102 digs thus far, showing significant growth each year. This upward trajectory is a testament to her hard work and commitment to honing her skills. Her ability to perform under pressure and lead her team in crucial moments has made her a valuable asset to Hunterdon Central’s volleyball program.

She has proven to be a versatile player capable of making an impact in various aspects of the game. Her performance against Westfield yielded a career best 21 kills and 13 digs. Reagan’s leadership as Captain on the court is complemented by her sportsmanship and dedication to her teammates, making her a role model for aspiring volleyball players.

Off the court, Reagan is known for her academic achievements and involvement in extracurricular activities. Balancing her rigorous training schedule with her studies, she has maintained a strong academic record. Her commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics exemplifies the qualities of a well-rounded student-athlete. As she completes her final season with Hunterdon Central, Reagan Dyba’s legacy as a dedicated and talented volleyball player continues to inspire her peers and set a high standard for future generations of athletes.

Here is our interview with Ms. Dyba…

Hi Reagan…

Your junior year was so impressive as you garnered just under 300 kills for the season as well
as 33 aces and 110 digs for the Red Devils. This season, NJP has you in the top 30 players in
NJ at the 99 th percentile How do you think you fare against other top players on the attack in
NJ?

I am proud to say I’ve spent a lot of time working on my collection of shots, using off-speed and
trying to see the court to create opportunities for kills or points, and I feel like this has really
benefited us as a team. In terms of comparing myself to other players in New Jersey, I’m not
really sure where to put myself, what I’m focusing on is continuing to better my team and myself
individually, and I will find out where I rank among others on the way.

You have had double digit kills in over 80% of your games played. Can your attack lead to a
Group 4 title this season?

I think my attack, along with our strong and varied offense can absolutely lead to a title win this
year. Our team is well rounded, and we work in practice to run quick tempos, and create holes
in the block, or open net opportunities for different members of our team to be able to get kills.
Our defense and setting as well has given us many chances to be able to gain quick points, and
I think that, along with finding different shots, we absolutely have a chance to compete this year.

Hunterdon has had a super strong season thus far with the only mar being 2 Saturday matches
on the same day against Westfield and Williamstown. Do you think this team can run the table
on the rest of their schedule with big games coming up against Notre Dame and Union
Catholic?

If we put our minds to it, without a doubt. Our team has big energy, and going into those
matches, along with all of our others, we can accomplish what we set out to do. We need to rely
on our system, and play the game the way we know how to, and I have high hopes for all of our
future games.

Tell us about your leadership style? Do you enjoy being your team captain?

I love being able to be a team captain, along with my other captains Becky and Emma. As a trio,
we work very well together, bringing different perspectives to the team dynamic. My leadership
style tends to focus on us as a whole unit, making sure everyone has a voice and feels
comfortable to speak their mind. It is very important to me that we create a team dynamic where
we all set a standard that will keep our program strong, and hold each other accountable.

Tell us about your family and support group?

My family is absolutely my rock, and they are so supportive. They have constantly enabled my
ability to play, letting me stay longer in the gym for more reps, and supporting me at as many
games as possible. From a young age, they’ve let me have free reign in choosing what activities
and sports to try, and they have made sure I’ve felt comfortable with volleyball from the very
start. I also have a younger sister who’s a freshman, and she started volleyball as well. It is
amazing to get to see her grow, and it’s such a memorable experience getting to play around
her.

Who is your role model?

My role model is my mom. She is the strongest person I know, and has always been right
beside me on all of my volleyball endeavors. She knows me better than anyone, and has
understood how much I love volleyball since before I realized. My mom has endless love for me,
and I am forever grateful for all of her support.

What inspired you to start playing volleyball?

I started volleyball at a young age, and I fell right into it. I experimented with a few other sports
prior, but I didn’t love any like volleyball. I was always told I would be great at volleyball because
I was tall, but I really have found my niche since I began to play competitively, finding my home
on and off the court with my team.

Tell us about your experience at CJVA?

I have had an incredible experience at CJVA, and I owe so much of my success to my coaches
and teammates there. I have done youth clinics and camps since I was very young, which were amazing, but I wasn’t able to start club volleyball until my sophomore year. Since I have played
club, I have been nothing but welcomed with open arms, constantly learning what it means to be
a team player, and how to improve all around the court. CJVA is my second home, and I have
the utmost respect for the players and coaches there.

Tell us about what went into your decision to play at SUNY New Paltz at the collegiate level?

I am incredibly excited to be able to continue my athletic and academic career at New Paltz, and
there are so many reasons I’ve found it to be the school for me. The campus is absolutely
beautiful, and I think I will feel very comfortable there, but not only that, the coaching staff is
incredibly knowledgeable, and I found I’ve connected very quickly with both the coaches and
players. Looking to the future at colleges can be very scary, but I feel at ease with my choice,
knowing I’m going to be able to better my volleyball skills and get a great education as well.

Who would you say are your top influencers/mentors?

My high school coach, Kevin Jones has been an incredible mentor for me, throughout my 4
years in high school. He is always pushing me to the next level, and I am so appreciative of the
opportunities he’s given me. He has not only made me a better player, but he has taught me
what it means to be humble, and how the real value of volleyball is not in numbers and stats, but
what we can do together as a team. I also credit Andrea Salazar, and Hugh Williams, my club
coaches, for making me into the player I am today. I have learned so much from both of them,
about not only mental strength and toughness, but how to reach my potential and keep working
hard always to improve. I have always been surrounded by amazing coaches, but my
teammates as well have pushed me to be the best player I can be, and I love them all dearly.

Tell us about the rivalry between Hunterdon Central and North Hunterdon?

Hunterdon Central and North Hunterdon have been rivals on paper since before we arrived at
Central, and there is nothing more we love than a good fight. On my team, we work hard to not
promote rivalry, but instead treat every team with the same value, and go into each match
focused on ourselves. This being said, with such close proximity as schools, we can’t help but
love to play North Hunterdon, as we get to see our best friends who play there, and create a fun
competitive atmosphere.

What else would you like us to know about you?

It’s important to me to be a well rounded person, in and out of school, and I am involved in
theater and the arts outside of volleyball, and I’m a part of the international thespian society at
my school. I spend my free time coaching younger players, and working with kids while
babysitting or being a camp counselor. I am hoping to major in childhood education to become a
teacher, and working with kids is my passion.