New Jersey Teams to Look Out for in 2021 Campaign: Hackettstown
This is 2021 season is going to be nothing short of unprecedented due to COVID-19. There are going to be some difficult times for everyone but there will still be opportunities to showcase their…
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Continue ReadingThis is 2021 season is going to be nothing short of unprecedented due to COVID-19. There are going to be some difficult times for everyone but there will still be opportunities to showcase their skills. A team to watch out for is Hackettstown.
Hackettstown was an outstanding team last season that was extremely deep, playing 16 players last season. This squad was led by juniors and seniors on their entire roster which means the juniors will need to step into their roles right away and make an immediate impact. This presents a grand opportunity for them to improve off of a 22-7 campaign.
The team is bringing back some outstanding talent and have the potential for a something special. The squad finished in a tie for third in the New Jersey Athletic Conference with Kinnelon and behind Mendham and Sparta. They had an outstanding division record going 13-1 but struggled outside of it. This will be a must for them if they want to make a deep run in the postseason.
Some players to look out for are Ashley Carkhuff, and Sofia Cuello. Carkhuff was an absolute superstar last season leading her team with 195 kills, yes that’s correct 195. For good measure, she had 147 digs. She has all the shots in the book with going cross-court, down-the-line, cut shots, tips and more. She is a lethal OH and will see the ball heading her way a ton this season. She will be senior so she will need to take on the role as a vocal leader as well.
Also, we have Sofia Cuello is a MB, O and like Carkhuff she will be looked upon as a Senior leader for her younger teammates. Cuello finished with 106 kills and 27 digs. She led the team in blocks too with 37, she’s a very versatile middle by being able to play outside as well. It makes her and Carkhuff a lethal tandem. The Tigers must utilize these two in a multitude of ways to be successful this season.
My concern is significant as Hackettstown will be introducing new setters into the fold this season with both of their two leading setters graduated. They play a 6-2 system where whichever player is in the back row is the setter. The Tigers have a couple setters returning in Stephanie Snyder and Gianna Solorzano but they saw minimal action last season. It will be a tough task to work these two into the fold but if successfully, the Tigers will be right there at the end in NJAC.
This is a squad that has depth with 10 potential returners from last seasons’ squad and will be able to create an immediate impact in their conference. Watch out for Hackettstown.