State Championship: Day 2 Sectional Finals Preview

<p>The final day of girls volleyball has finally arrived for teams as we have finally reached the last day of finals for the 20 sectionals of the State Tournament. A day many saw as not possible and look where we were a year ago. Game were phenomenal yesterday and now, Group 1, Group 2 and Non-Public A all take the stage today. Let’s take a look at them. </p> <p><strong>Group 1</strong></p> <p><em><strong>North 1</strong></em></p> <p>Bogota vs Midland Park</p> <p>The top two teams of this section have advanced all the way to the final. Remember, Bogota has a high seed due to the lack of games they played before the tournament. They have been the favorites from the start once the group was released. Don’t underestimate Midland Park as they’ve been just as impressive in the tournament. </p> [caption id="attachment_119868" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-119868" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/Screen-Shot-2020-12-13-at-5.57.20-PM-300x201.png" alt="" width="300" height="201" /> Photo: @bogotavolleyball <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3DTL25BzDC/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>[/caption] <p><strong><em>Key Players</em></strong></p> <p>Bogota: [player_tooltip player_id="99833" first="Kiara" last="Polanco"] (OH); [player_tooltip player_id="99832" first="Amber" last="Vazquez"] (S)</p> <p>Midland Park: [player_tooltip player_id="128495" first="Jessica" last="Balala"] (L); Julia Calderone (S)</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></p> <p>A battle of two unbeatens in this one. If you want to see passing/setting. Don’t look past this one as you have three of the best setters, here. I’m sticking with Bogota as I think they’re the best in the state in my opinion. </p> <p><strong>North 2</strong></p> <p>Lyndhurst vs Verona</p> <p>As for this group, my prediction is a bit off as I’ve had Verona in the final and the clear favorite. Lyndhurst took out my other pick in Hasbrouck Heights in the semifinal. I like this one to go to the distance and be down to the wire. </p> <p><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></p> <p>Lyndhurst: Jaylinn Colon (S); Kiara Salme (OH)</p> <p>Verona: Megan Meehan (OH); Patricia Rakova (OH)</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></p> <p>I’m going to stick with Verona as the champs. The two-headed monster of Meehan and Rakova will be the difference. Expect them to swing till their arms fall off today. </p> <p><strong>Central</strong></p> <p>New Providence vs Dayton</p> <p>I had Dayton in the final here. My champion McNair was taken out by New Providence. So I’m a bit torn in this one. Both have seamlessly made their to the final without a real challenge yet. Will they finally meet their match. New Providence has had Dayton’s number when they’ve faced off. </p> <p><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></p> <p>New Providence: Elizabeth Blank (S); Alexy Eng (DS)</p> <p>Dayton: Samantha Janker (OH); Adrianna Rivera (L)</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></p> <p>I have no idea who to pick here. Dayton has had a solid season but New Providence has found their groove of late. This is where I lean towards the best player on the court. So, I’ll take Blank and New Providence because Blank can impact the game in every phase. </p> <p><strong>South</strong></p> <p>Delaware Valley vs Highland Park</p> <p>In the south, I had Highland Park in the final but Delaware Valley dominated my other pick in Collingswood. Both teams have been solid in the tournament. Delaware Valley should be able to give Highland Park a match. This one should go three. </p> <p><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></p> <p>Delaware Valley: Emily Kraynanski (O); Kerry Walsh (S)</p> <p>Highland Park: Victoria Li (S); Sophia Polos (DS)</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></p> <p>I’m going to take Highland Park as I did at the beginning of the tournament. I think Li just has too many weapons to pick and choose with. Delaware Valley won’t know where the ball is going to go. </p> <p><strong>Group 2</strong></p> <p>North 1</p> <p>Demarest vs Sparta</p> <p>This is my matchup of the day. Two of the best in the state battling it out for a title. This one is must-watch. There are going to players all over the court. In my opinion, each set is going to be tight. </p> [caption id="attachment_119824" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-119824" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/sparta-celebrates-300x240.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="240" /> Photo: Tom Horak <a href="https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2019/11/girls-volleyball-wiggins-shines-pushes-sparta-to-g2-semis.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nj.com</a>[/caption] <p><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></p> <p>Demarest: [player_tooltip player_id="128499" first="Olivia" last="Cammalleri"] (S); Connie Yu (L)</p> <p>Sparta: [player_tooltip player_id="99815" first="Mackenzie" last="Wiggins"] (OH); Arianna Puello (S)</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></p> <p>I have Sparta winning here as you have two of the player of the year candidates in this matchup. Wiggins is going to be fed the ball endlessly and she will punish you from anywhere on the court. Expect a monster performance. </p> <p><strong>North 2</strong></p> <p>Hackettstown vs Fort Lee</p> <p>Man, I was right on the money with this one. Hackettstown upset the top seeded Madison in the semifinals and have had three-set matches throughout this tournament. On the other hand, Fort Lee has cruised their way to the final. </p> <p><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></p> <p>Hackettstown: [player_tooltip player_id="128483" first="Ashley" last="Carkhuff"] (OH); Sofia Cuello (MB)</p> <p>Fort Lee: Yishi Huang (S); Ayla Kim (DS)</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></p> <p>This is an offense/defense matchup here. Hackettstown high-flying duo with Fort Lee’s balanced defense. I picked Fort Lee with this one as the defense will slow down the Hackettstown offense enough to prevail. </p> <p><strong>Central</strong></p> <p>Wall vs Voorhees</p> <p>Another pick on the money as I had Wall vs Voorhees from the start in this sectional final. Voorhees was pushed in the semifinals against Hopewell Valley while Wall has been the clear best team in the section. This is their first matchup since 2013 against one another. </p> <p><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></p> <p>Voorhees: Livia Connell (S); Samantha Cox (MB)</p> <p>Wall: Kristina Hotaling (OH); Stephanie Ahern (S)</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></p> <p>I like Wall here. They have been the cut and dry favorites from the start and I have not seen a reason to pick against them. The combination of Hotaling and Ahern will be on full-display. </p> <p><strong>South</strong></p> <p>Jackson Liberty vs Pinelands</p> <p>Two teams out of nowhere to enter this final. As we have the sixth seed in Jackson Liberty vs the fifth seed in Pinelands. I had neither teams this far but I did state if Pinelands could get hot they could make a run, I just didn’t expect it to be all the way to the final. Pinelands swept Jackson Liberty in their two regular season matchups this year. </p> <p><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></p> <p>Jackson Liberty: Chelsea Ross (MB); Riley Stewart (MB)</p> <p>Pinelands: Olivia Anderson (OH); Ciara Rheiner (MB)</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></p> <p>Rheiner has been the storyline in the tournament for Pinelands as teams have focused on Anderson she has taken advantage. Now they have a dominant one-two punch. I like Pinelands here and Anderson dominated Jackson Liberty in the two regular season matchups, watch out. </p> <p><strong>Non-Public </strong></p> <p><em><strong>North A</strong></em></p> <p>Immaculate Heart vs Hudson Catholic</p> <p>As we take a dive into the Non-Public North A section. We have two teams I’ve had from the start and have been the clear favorites in this section. These two are perennial powers and have seemed to always meet up in the playoffs with Immaculate Heart having the advantage. </p> [caption id="attachment_125990" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-125990" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/drew-leonardis.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Photo: Reena Rose Sibayan <a href="https://www.nj.com/galleries/VQJJE2BM3FDIJK4TCFGNBWFIUQ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NJ.com</a>[/caption] <p style="text-align: left;"><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></p> <p>Immaculate Heart: [player_tooltip player_id="99810" first="Olivia" last="Coughlin"] (S); [player_tooltip player_id="99886" first="Brookelyn" last="Talmadge"] (MB)</p> <p>Hudson Catholic: Kiannisha Santiago (O); [player_tooltip player_id="128484" first="Cristal" last="Rubel"] (MB)</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></p> <p>I picked Hudson Catholic from the start because I think this is their best chance to make a difference to finally get over the hump that is Immaculate Heart. Santiago and Rubel will be a dynamic duo today. </p> <p><strong>South A</strong></p> <p>Paul VI vs St. John Vianney</p> <p>Another surprise run is in our final sectional tournament to discuss. Paul VI stunned my pick Donovan Catholic in the quarterfinal round and have been dominant in this tournament. Meanwhile, I did have St. John Vianney here and they have not been tested yet. </p> <p><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></p> <p>Paul VI: Jaaliyah Evans (OH); [player_tooltip player_id="99879" first="Zharia" last="Harris-Waddy"] (MB)</p> <p>St. John Vianney: Mackenzie Bloss (S); Erin Gretsky (OH)</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></p> <p>I think this is where Paul VI’s run comes to an end. I just think Bloss is too good for St. John Vianney. She’s so deceptive and keeps the offense so balanced. I think they will be too difficult to stop. </p>