Teams to Look Out for in 2021: Montgomery

<p>            This year has had it’s up and downs, but there is volleyball in sight at the High School level. These teams will be tasked to take on challenges nobody thought they would have too. But, more than anything these ladies will be able to play the game they love. There are teams with a great chance to have monster seasons’ who came up just short in 2019. One team to watch out for is Montgomery. </p> <p>              Montgomery was a solid team last year with plenty of depth and gave everyone playing time to be able to showcase their ability. Yes, the squad was led by some seniors like libero Sonika Kotha and Carolyn Prevost but this team has plenty of depth with a lot of juniors and even some freshman returning to take on their new roles. This presents a grand opportunity for them to improve off of a 18-9 campaign.</p> <p>              The team is bringing back some outstanding talent and have the potential for a something special. The squad finished second in the Skyland Conference behind North Hunterdon and with the fifth best record overall. North Hunterdon eliminated them in the second round of Group 4 in the NJSIAA tournament. They did win their division so it’s time to take the next step and win the conference. They were eliminated in the semifinals of the Somerset County Tournament as well.  </p> [caption id="attachment_124396" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-124396" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/Montgomery-Volleyball-2-300x128.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="128" /> Photo: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/team/v2/332080/Girls-Varsity-Volleyball" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a>[/caption] <p> Some players to look out for are Andrea Katramados, [player_tooltip player_id="99887" first="Georgia" last="Wess"] and Cristina Fogg. Katramados was the second option a year ago but with Prevost gone, it will be her turn as the number one. Last season she finished with 115 kills, 6 blocks and 92 digs. As a senior, she will be looked upon to provide guidance to the rest of the squad. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="99887" first="Georgia" last="Wess"] is coming off a solid freshman season where she saw significant playing time right away. Wess finished with 90 kills and 63 digs. She will be looked upon as a sophomore to step into being a part of the one-two punch offensively. Her potential is through the roof so watch out for Wess to get her name on the scene as one of the best OH in the conference. </p> <p>              Lastly, Cristina Fogg is their defensive specialist as a senior who had a great year with 200 digs a year ago. With Kotha leaving, it will be interesting to see if Fogg will remain as a defensive specialist or take on the role of libero for her senior campaign. If she does, it will be a huge opportunity for Montgomery to have a chance this season. </p> <p>              My only concern for the team is at the position of setter as Mia Rector is gone. Emily Barlin is the one who should step into her place. Barlin did have playing time a year ago with 83 assists and for Montgomery to be a force this season, it will be up to her to advantage of her opportunity. </p> <p>              This is a squad with 9 potential returners from last seasons’ squad so an opportunity is there for Montgomery to do something special this season but it will all come down to whether or not they can dethrone North Hunterdon. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>