The North and South volleyball seasons have been underway, with South expecting to take its season well into the playoffs as a tough competitor, and North looking to rebuild and strengthen its team after losing six seniors to graduation last season. The teams faced off against each other on September 23, and South showcased its talent with a win over its crosstown rival.##M:[more]##
According to North coach Erich Trautwein, the Knights’ two returning starters are Lucy Xu and Kristen Geevers. Most of the seniors in the lineup are returners, but many did not receive as much playing time last year, he says.
“I consider it a rebuilding year,” Trautwein said. “We are very inexperienced, and not many of the girls played in the off-season, so it’s like reinventing the wheels once they get here.”
The team is 1-3 so far this season, with a win against Lacey Township. “We have a tough schedule, which is fine because it will make the girls who are juniors get better because they’re playing better teams,” Trautwein said. “I just hope we stay together as a team and just play better as the year progresses. And I hope the seniors have a fun year.”
Meanwhile, South’s volleyball team opened its season with a 4-0 run, taking out Hillsborough, Colts Neck, Gloucester Catholic, and Shawnee before falling to Hunterdon Central. They followed it up with wins against Cinnaminson on September 22 and against North on September 23, improving their record to 6-1.
Returning to the team this year are junior middle blocker Lea Williams, senior outside hitter Deborah Brodsky, senior opposite Michelle Emerman, and senior libero and solo captain Andrew Echeverri.
While the team is young this year, coach Michael Adams, who had been named the coach of the year for his coaching in boys volleyball, says the team’s strengths are in its serving and defense. Hannah Jin and Misty Ozbek are leading the team in aces, while Williams is leading the team in kills. Amy Greenberger is averaging 16 assists per match, and Echeverri is leading the team in digs. Against North, Amy Greenberger had nine assists, two kills, three aces, and one dig in the victory, 25-22, 25-14.
Adams says that while many of the younger players have not had experience playing varsity before, they do have their own respective strengths. He said in the long run, the team should have a good run in the state tournament. “We should have a pretty good record by the end of the season,” he said. “We’re just focused on keeping everybody healthy.”
The team is preparing to face a very strong opponent in Bridgewater on Friday, September 26. “They’re always a great match,” Adams said. “They have a very good defense. It’s going to be a match that can actually go either way. Who ever shows up, gets the serve, and plays really good defense is going to get the win.”
