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Volleyball

Morris Tech's Rachel Baumann sets the ball during pre-match practice.

Tech thrives in big-game environment

DENVILLE _ Football doesn't exist at Morris Tech so the volleyball team sought to bring a big-game environment to the gym for its home opener against Kinnelon. The Devils invited all of the other fall sport athletes, classmates, family members and friends to the match on Friday, Sept. 9. They did not want to disappoint anyone, of course, and rode the support of the fans to a thrilling and memorable 2-1 victory over the Colts. "We wanted to make sure everyone was here," said Morris Tech senior outside passer and co-captain Rachel Baumann. "This was our blackout game. We had…
Young Dodgers are "a coach's dream"

Young Dodgers are "a coach's dream"

MADISON _ The graduation of seven seniors left Katelyn Wiliams, a junior outside hitter, as the lone returnee on Madison's roster. In no time, Williams realized that things likely wouldn't be much different from last spring when the Dodgers went 10-4 and won six of their eight matches in the NJAC-Liberty. The newcomers may lack varsity experience but they possess many characteristics - chemistry, the will to win, poise, persistence - that will benefit them as they progress through the 2021 season. On Thursday, Sept. 9, Madison, with Williams at the core of a new-look squad, took down Kinnelon, 25-21,…
Amanda Nwankwo of Jefferson, left, goes up for a kill in a match versus Kinnelon.

Nwankwo solid in first start for Falcons

JEFFERSON _ Always six inches taller than most girls her age, Jefferson's Amanda Nwankwo was rarely challenged when driving the lane during basketball games in middle school. Nwankwo would make her way into the key and encountered little or no resistance. "Everyone would back up," Nwankwo said. "They didn't want to get run over." Three years later, Nwankwo, now 6 foot 3, remains an intimidating presence and is making an impact on a different court during her first year in high school. On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Nwankwo excelled in the first varsity volleyball start of her career, making eight kills…
Mackenzie Laidlaw and Adriana Garcia of Mount Olive go up to block during the 2017 MCT final. No. 6 is Randolph's Caileigh Cox.

Two in a row for Mount Olive

RANDOLPH _ There's usually laughter, joking and singing when the Mount Olive volleyball team takes to the road for a game. On Saturday, Oct. 28 prior to the Morris County Tournament final, the bus transporting the Marauders was uncharacteristically quiet with the majority of the players listening to music. "We're usually so silly," said Mount Olive senior setter and defensive specialist Lauren Miller. "We have fun on the bus. When we got here, we were calm, collected, in the zone. We were so focused. Laser focused." Being ultra honed in benefited top-seeded Mount Olive as it repeated as MCT champion…
Mount Olive's Britney Rivera, No. 4, attempts a kill while Roxbury's Rachel Roberts and Kendall Torpin block.

Rivera, Marauders roll into final

RANDOLPH _ A bout of vertigo left Mount Olive's Britney Rivera exhausted. Rivera rested for four days during the week then attended a short practice on Friday. The Marauders Morris County Tournament semifinal versus Roxbury was looming and nothing was going to keep the senior outside hitter off the court. Family bragging rights were at stake, too. Rivera's cousin, Amber Chen, plays for the opposing Gaels. Being sidelined didn't cause Rivera's skills to slump. She was in fine form in the semifinals, helping top-seeded and defending champion Mount Olive defeat fourth-seeded Roxbury, 25-13, 25-9, on Saturday, Oct. 21 by making…
Knolls rallies past Gaels

Knolls rallies past Gaels

ROXBURY _ Down a game versus Roxbury and battling to close out the second game, Morris Knolls did not let doubt creep in. The Golden Eagles had two match points but the Gaels managed to stay alive. Morris Knolls closed out the critical game on Brooke Herman's kill and then gained a seven-point lead in the decisive game. Morris Knolls saw its advantage dwindle but went on to prevail 2-1 over Roxbury on Tuesday, Sept. 19. It was the first time since 2013 that the Golden Eagles, who triumphed 22-25, 27-25 and 25-22, have defeated the Gaels. "We came in…
Marauders' streak ends

Marauders' streak ends

WAYNE _ Mount Olive was successful on its first journey into unfamiliar territory, racking up its first Morris County Tournament championship. The Marauders continued streaking after that, making it all the way to the Group III final. Naturally, there were high hopes and a desire to make more history but top-seeded Old Tappan, relying on experience and a significant height advantage, topped second-seeded Mount Olive, 25-21, 25-14, in the title match at William Paterson University on Saturday, Nov. 12. The Group III crown was the second in a row for the Golden Knights. Old Tappan (22-1) has claimed four titles…
Mount Olive's Annie Karle sends a crosscourt kill over the net during a match versus Jefferson.

Mt. Olive enjoying fine season

MOUNT OLIVE _ In a six-hour span on Saturday, Oct. 22, the Mount Olive volleyball team had maximum fun, prevailing in their Morris County Tournament semifinal over West Morris then getting together for an early Halloween party. That was a lot for one evening but, for the Marauders, it was the perfect way to keep the buzz going. After defeating the Wolfpack, 25-13, 25-15, the girls were more than thrilled to spend more hours together at Julia Hutchinson-Lundy's house while dressed as hockey players, anime characters, nerds, rabbits and other animals. "We were all in great moods," said tri-captain Ally Wisnewski.…
Rams' aim is banner season

Rams' aim is banner season

RANDOLPH _ The Randolph volleyball team's typical method of winning is unorthodox but it works. Since the beginning of the season, the Rams have thrived and fought after falling behind. Whether it be a set or a substantial deficit, they manage to survive as they did in a Morris County Tournament semifinal against fifth-seeded Kinnelon, coming away with a 25-21, 26-28, 25-21 win on Saturday, Oct 22. Randolph escapes tense situations so often that coach Sebastian DiPietro actually has become accustomed to it and is unfazed by his squad's modus operandi. "I don't worry. They don't worry," DiPietro said. "It's…
Morris Hills and Hackettstown compete at the Eagles September Slam.

Eagles September Slam

DENVILLE _ Preseason injuries to middle hitters Jane Taylor and Heather McCullough created Madison's first challenge. The Dodgers somehow would have to make do without Taylor, a junior, and McCullough, a sophomore, for an indefinite period of time. Although young, Madison has filled those gaping voids for the first week and a half of the season, going 4-1. "We're surviving," said Dodgers coach Stephen Fenton at the Eagles September Slam. "It's gone pretty well. We still have the same goals - to win our division, contend in the counties and be strong in Group II. With a little luck, maybe…
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