As teams duke it out to reach the Group state champion finals, we all saw an amazingly high level of girl’s high school volleyball. Just twelve teams remain alive in their quest for a group championship. And these final matches will shape which team will emerge as NJ’s #1 team.

Princeton remains the favorite. Their path to be NJ’s #1 team may require a last win against Ramapo in the Group 3 final. According to the math, Princeton could lose and still retain #1 but doesn’t want to take that chance. If they do fall in the final, three teams will stake their claim to a possible #1 slot. Williamstown is certainly a candidate with just one loss to Princeton. Old Tappan is undefeated but has not played a schedule strength that will earn them the top spot according to the math. And lastly, probably the most unsung team in NJ is Notre Dame. They are the only team to beat Princeton this season. A win over IHA will make it close. We will have to wait it out.

Another inspirational story for this past week concerns the Westfield Blue Devils. Dealing with the catastrophic loss of schoolmate and boys volleyball player Brandon Genlot. The Lady Blue Devils rose to the occasion and were a surprise winner in their Sectional championship match over Hudson County power Union City. They then went on to take down Morristown in another upset of the NJAC perennial leader in the group semi-final. With one game left to play, Morristown will play once defeated south jersey power Williamstown in the Group 4 state championship. Will the emotional ride lift them up once again? We will see on Sunday.