On Monday, April 19 the Scotch Plains-Fanwood girls volleyball team won their first ever sectional championship against second-seeded Colonia. In the first set, the Raiders won 25-18, in the second, they fell to Colonia, 13-25, and in the third set, the Raiders dominated 25-16, earning them a victory in the NJSIAA Central Group 3 Championship. 

Key players in the game were seniors Adelina Berisha and Kaelie Chung; Berisha totaled over 220 kills for the season and Chung had over 30 assists in the final alone. 

“Compared to past years, I think that this year the team had really great chemistry that was shown through our gameplay,” Chung said. “When we stepped out onto the court, there was an atmosphere of encouragement and support that never left.”

Only a little over a month ago, varsity head coach Adrienne Stack reached her 200th career win in an earlier match against Union on March 22. Last night’s sectional win only adds to that impressive number, and hopefully next season there will be plenty of wins to follow such a historic season. 

“Our coach told us to just relax and play how she knows we can play,” junior Victoria Solsky said. “Our libero [a defensive player on the court] who plays the whole game got injured this past weekend so we had to strategize around this and fill the empty spots.”

Senior Lindsey Bartley primarily plays libero and often plays a key role in the game but was on the sidelines due to her injury. Especially with Bartley down for the count, the Raiders knew they had to work as a team and give this sectional game their all. 

“It felt absolutely amazing to win sectionals,” Bartely said. “It was the first time in the program’s history that the varsity girls volleyball team had won a sectional final match. It’s absolutely crazy and wonderful that the team was able to grow and accomplish this huge win this year, especially with a shortened season.”