Electric, roaring and animated would all be sufficient adjectives to describe Raider Nation at the Section Two Group Three Girls Volleyball finals. The fans on both sides added an extra level of intensity, as if the game was already not hyped enough. Faces in the crowd ranged from interested high schoolers, members of the boys and girls volleyball programs and various faculty members.
No matter who they were, they cheered their hearts out, hoping for a victory.
The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Raiders Girls Volleyball team came up short against the Millburn Millers 2-1 (13-25, 25-22, 18-25) on Tuesday Nov. 6 at Millburn High School. After a victorious second set, the Raiders tried to keep the momentum on their side, but could not pull out the victory.
SPF got out to a 4-1 lead early in the third set but quickly lost their mojo, letting Millburn slide back in for the win. Balls hit in the net, missed serves and hits that were too powerful were the kryptonite of the Raiders and made the Millers able to hoist the trophy.
SPF were led by sophomores D.J. Ngumah, Maddie Byrne and senior Danielle Kramer, who were all reliable options the whole match and did not let a strong Millburn middle get in their way. Along with this trio’s great play, various players excelled, including senior Leah Stevens.
“I think [Leah] Stevens did a great job stepping up to set. She rose to the occasion, and my hat goes off to her efforts as setter in the second and third set,” head coach Adrienne Stack told The Fanscotian.
The Raiders mentality was one key factor that helped them stay in the game. After a lackluster first set, all the players huddled around Stack, where she gave them advice and also put smiles on their faces.
“[The positive attitude] definitely helps us engage more in the game and pushes us to get out of our comfort zone and hold each other up,” senior opposite Brianna Alvarez said.
No matter what happened, the Raiders had a memory of a goldfish and kept smiling their way through the challenges. Volleyball is a team sport, and it was shown as the Raiders relied on all 13 members of their roster throughout the match.
“Minimum of six [on the court], we have 13. That bench believed in their teammates even when we were down and that’s what a team is,” Stack said.
The Raiders obviously did not want to end their season with a loss but there is still much to celebrate. They turned a bumpy season into a deep postseason run that will be remembered by all of the players and fans.
“I think everyone far exceeded the expectations they had for themselves as individual players,” Stack said. “We started the season 2-9 and we ended with 14 wins. That’s a testament to them growing as a team, playing hard and playing as a unit.”
SPF will lose all but four of their varsity roster with the conclusion of the ‘23 season and will look for help from their junior varsity team to step in and replace the graduating members.
“I’m excited to see what the girls accomplish next year,” senior middle Danielle Kramer said.
