Reigning Returners for Spring 2021: Hitters

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There were plenty of underclassmen who showed out back in the 2019 season that I was excited to see return this season. In terms of hitters, we have a wealth of impressive candidates. Here are the top returners continuing their reign of terror on New Jersey volleyball.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="99806" first="Adelina" last="Berisha"] is our #1 top-ranked player for the class of 2021. This 6’1” outside hitter from Scotch Plains-Fanwood only played half a season in 2019 but still managed to rack up </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">142 kills and 89 digs. In just three matches, she has already earned 40 total kills, 21 digs, and 12 aces. At her height, she can still really move in the back row which makes her an invaluable asset to any squad. If her school can stay healthy for the whole season, there’s no telling what we will see from her in her senior year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="99819" first="Simrin" last="Carlsen"] is another highly anticipated returner from the class of 2021 rankings. She finished last season with 402 kills, one of the highest in the state, and has already started off with 31 kills, 25 digs, and 5 aces. J.P. Stevens is surely going to stand out this season with her leading the offense.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="99815" first="Mackenzie" last="Wiggins"] ended last season with 403 kills for Sparta. Now in her senior season, she has already earned 24 kills in two games. Those two games were against two powerhouse teams, Mendham and Roxbury, so they are not to be taken lightly. Standing at 5’11”, she has a strong presence at the net but also a robust back row game. She will surely lead this team of mostly underclassmen to a successful season.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="99860" first="Kate" last="Louer"] is bound to have a stellar season. She had two rockstar years for Clifton with 239 kills her freshman year and 220 kills her sophomore year. Already she has 15 kills over three games and is definitely gearing up for a monster week. And she still has next season to round out her career!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="128494" first="Nathaly" last="Flores"] returns to the court for Union City with a splash. Primarily as a right side last season, she earned 184 kills. She moves all over the front row for her team, and this year has already started off with 35 kills over three games as an outside. She’s still only a junior.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="99872" first="Kate" last="Stoughton"] was a top-five hitter for the state last season with 336 kills in her sophomore season. Now as a junior outside for Brick Memorial, she has earned 14 kills in their first doubleheader against Donovan Catholic. With 582 total kills to her name, she is sure to impress as the season progresses and into next season.</span></p>