Volleyball: State quarterfinals preview

The State tournament continues today, with 11 games involving 17 teams from North Jersey.

There are still North Jersey teams involved in every State tournament bracket but Group 4. So it's going to be a busy day, here's what to expect.

GROUP 1
(8) New Providence at (1) Bogota, 7 p.m.
This is the first best-of-three match between the two teams this season. Led by seniors Janet Snell and Allison Bal, Bogota is hoping to continue its Group 1 dominance.

(5) Secaucus at (4) Glen Rock, 4 p.m.
This is the first best-of-three matchup between what should be two evenly-matched teams. Secaucus is athletic and led by Shannon Waters and Monica Dempsey. Glen Rock has used a combination of solid team defense, and the solid offensive threat of senior Jackie Tozzi to get its wins this season.

(6) Midland Park at (3) Rutherford, 4:30 p.m.
Rutherford is not a big team, but it is an athletic and balanced team, led by hitting dynamo Deborah Hong. Midland Park is a dangerous team however, as it proved with its upset of Bogota earlier this season. These two teams will square off for the first time this season in the best-of-three format.

GROUP 2
(6) Tenafly at (3) Chatham, 4 p.m.
Led by leading hitter Jessie Shevins, and setter Kally Kyriakides, Tenafly is hoping to go on the road and pull off the upset in its first best-of-three match against Chatham this season.

(7) Rahway at (2) Demarest, 5 p.m.
It has been a learning year for Demarest, which is hoping to show how much it has learned in the State tournament. Led by hitters Helena Riede and Lindsay Runge, Demarest hopes to conquer in its first best-of-three match against Rahway this season.

(5) Dumont at (4) Mahwah, 5 p.m.
Dumont and Mahwah square off for the first time in the best-of-three format this season. Dumont is enjoying a breakthrough season, led by senior setter Kerri Doherty and a contingent of junior hitters. Mahwah has been steady, led by setter Marisa Monaco and hitter Karissa Ciliento.

GROUP 3
(9) Ramapo at (1) West Morris Mendham, 4 p.m.
Ramapo nearly upset Northern Highlands in the County tournament, and will be hoping to finish the job this time. The Green Raiders will be propelled by hitter Nicole Kincade, who, as a sophomore, already has the ability to take over a match at will. This is the first best-of-three match between the teams this season.

(7) Paramus at (2) Old Tappan, 5:30 p.m.
Paramus, led by a solid cast of seniors --  most notably, libero Vanessa Sullivan -- will be hoping to ride the wave of its 700th program win from last Friday. Old Tappan is riding a wave of its own, after knocking off IHA to win the Bergen County tournament last week. Old Tappan beat Paramus 2-0 on Oct. 29, in the quarterfinals of the Bergen County tournament.

(5) West Morris Central at (4) Fair Lawn, 4:30 p.m.
Fair Lawn has channeled all its energy toward making another run at the Group 3 title, after winning it all last season. Led by Chelsea Stahl and Chelsea Benjamin, Fair Lawn is hoping to make a return trip to the semifinals. The Cutters are playing West Morris Central in best-of-three for the first time this season.

NON-PUBLIC
(9) Bishop Ahr at (1) IHA, 4 p.m.
Still the most consistent team in the state, IHA is extra-motivated after its disappointing loss to Old Tappan in the Bergen County final. Expect the Blue Eagles to continue taking it out on their opponent, in their first best-of-three match against Bishop Ahr this season.

(6) Hawthorne Christian at (3) Holy Angels, 4
Holy Angels has been an up-and-down team this season, with its wealth of youth. But with hitter Remy McBain, the Angels are always a threat. Hawthorne Christian is led by Rebecca DeMeo and hoping for an upset in its first best-of-three match against Holy Angels of the season.

(10) DePaul at (2) Union Catholic
Samantha DuBois runs the offense for DePaul and Tara Law is the primary defensive presence for a DePaul team that is hoping for a big upset on this day, as the Spartans face Union Catholic for the first time in best-of-three this season.

Comments

[bob]

It's about time you posted something. I still do not see any rationale for missing the last two rounds. I know I have been harsh on you but Volleyball is one of the top 3 teams nationwide and the record treats it like an ugly stepchild. I would expect more from the individual reporter who is covering it.

[janet]

i agree with you wholeheartedly bob...there is no excuse.

[cutter1979]

Sadly , the Cutters went down in 3. WMC has some very strong players. #23 played a flawless game.

[fan]

BOB IS 100% CORRECT!!!