Nov. 15, 2023
By Emily Reed
Editor-in-Chief
With a 17-6 regular season record, the girls volleyball team has shown improvements since last season, which ended in a 14-12 record.
The team proceeded to state sectionals, winning 2-0 in a quarterfinal home game against West Morris High School on Nov. 1. The team’s season ended on Nov. 3 after losing 1-2 in a semifinal home game against Montville High School on Nov. 3.
Senior captain Allanis Rodriguez, who joined varsity last year, said her goal for the team was to communicate more and hustle to every ball.
“I hope[d] we [would] end up with a better record than last year and, of course, win the state final,” Rodriguez said.
“They were a top seed, and we fought our way to get that win.”
She said the team played its best game of the season in the first round of the Bergen County Tournament, facing off against 10th-ranked Cliffside Park High School on Oct. 6 at Cliffside Park.
“We played a very clean, organized game and were able to get that win. It was a team that had only lost one game,” Rodriguez said.
Outside hitter junior Yasemin Ugurlu, who has been on varsity since her freshman year, also said the Cliffside Park game stands out in her mind because of the team’s hard work.
“They were a top seed, and we fought our way to get that win,” Ugurlu said.
She said the players need to continue strengthening their communication and motivating each other during all aspects of the game.
“We have been struggling with keeping our energy even if we are losing or winning. Also, when we have a big lead, we let the other teams catch up,” Ugurlu said.
She said the team has benefited from strong offense.
“Our front row offense has allowed us to succeed in-game points. Our defense is not 100% there yet, but our libero, Allanis Rodriquez, who plays her position very well, helps the team significantly,” Ugurlu said.
Senior captain Bryanna Pando, a right-side hitter who had been on varsity since her sophomore year, said the team could benefit from strengthening its communication and passing.
“We have to work on not getting in our own heads and each other’s heads, just to ignore it till after the game,” said Pando.
