For a team that started off their season 1-5 and recently had a coaching change, the SPF girls volleyball team looked as if they were undefeated.
SPF tallied their second win of the season on Thursday, Sept. 25, defeating Elizabeth 2-0 (25-19, 25-21). Sarah Catherina, who recently took over the program, achieved her first victory as head coach. Improving to 2-5 on the season, the Raiders viewed this game as a fresh start and a turning point in the year.
“Coach Cat told us we are now 0-0 and we’re starting new,” senior captain Maddie Byrne told The Fanscotian. “This is a new season and we’re off to a good start.”
Byrne, who hit the 400 career kill mark during the match, attained 10 kills along with junior Brynn Cardenas who added four kills to the stat sheet. Setters senior Elyse Lamberti and junior Isabelle Stewart heavily utilized their pin hitters, setting both Byrne and Cardenas, plus sophomore Sofia Cennamo, to punish Elizabeth defenders.
Although much of Elizabeth’s blocking was focused on Byrne on the outside, the tandem setters were able to take advantage of their strong connection with Cennamo and junior Valencia Duru in the opposite position to put the ball away. Cennamo, who had three kills in the contest, was a major player on the defensive end as well, joining middle blockers senior DJ Ngumah and junior Victoria Hunter in blocking at the net.
Ngumah and Hunter, who combined for five blocks in total, created a difficult environment for Elizabeth to send balls over the net, helping the Raiders gain a lead in both sets. Ngumah contributed all over the court, making her presence known up front at the net, while also serving strongly from the back line, having four aces on the day.
“Our blocks definitely got stronger from last season,” Byrne said. “That’s the first thing that Coach Cat came in and worked on, so we’ve focused on that the past couple practices, and it’s paid off.”
SPF continued their season on Tuesday, Sept. 30, where they traveled to Edison and came out on top 2-1 (22-25, 25-15, 25-17) to move to 3-5 on the year. For new head coach Catherina and the Raiders, the season is just beginning and the focus on winning has remained strong.
“We’re a winning team, and once we come into this gym on game day, we are locked in, and that’s all we’re here for,” Byrne said.
