Conference Preview: HCIAL

<p>We are back with another conference preview! We are now going to be taking a look at the HCIAL. The Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic League continues to have talent at all positions and even when talent leaves, more talent comes in. It may not be one of the larger conferences but it still yields high-quality volleyball. Let’s took at the favorites, dark horses and players to watch. </p> <p><strong>Last Season</strong></p> <p>In the shortened spring season where teams did not play the same number of games, winning percentage was the most paramount to yield who finished on top. It came down to a middle of the season matchup of Hudson Catholic and Union City to be the deciding factor. Hudson Catholic won and finished unbeaten in conference play. </p> <p><strong>Favorites</strong></p> <p><em>Hudson Catholic</em></p> <p>If their is a race for an HCIAL conference title, Hudson Catholic is 9 times out of 10 going to have say in what happens. I thought last season was going to be their chance to finally take down the Immaculate Heart machine but fell short in the sectional final in a three-set thriller. This squad does lose a critical component in the middle in Rubel. However, a significant portion of the squad returns to they will be right there once again. </p> <p><em>Union City</em></p> <p>Union City has continued to improve year-in and year-out. It was a matter of time before they were contenders again in this conference. Last year, they had an opportunity and came up just short. This year, a majority of the core returns to make a statement and get over the final obstacle in Hudson Catholic. Watch out for them. </p> <p><strong>Dark Horses</strong></p> <p><em>North Bergen</em></p> <p>Last season would be considered as a down-year for North Bergen but they finished the season strong after a brutal start to the season. Now, I expect them to return to the top of the conference and be extremely competitive. The question will be is: are they going to be good enough to compete with Hudson and Union? The team is going to be young but the talent is there. </p> <p><em>McNair</em></p> <p>McNair had a solid spring season finishing third in the conference. However, they are losing there are top stats leaders from the spring. It will be intriguing to see if the younger players will hold their own. I think they will but will it be enough to be at the top of the conference. </p> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="152477" first="Kiannisha" last="Santiago"] (Hudson Catholic; O)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="128494" first="Nathaly" last="Flores"] (Union City; OH)</p> <p>Adrianna Troya (North Bergen; DS/L)</p> <p>Cathryn Kuczynski (Bayonne; OH)</p> <p>Brianna Clemente (Memorial; S)</p> <p>Samantha Fortune (St. Dominic; MB)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="128674" first="Drew" last="Leonardis"] (Hudson Catholic; DS/L)</p>