Teams to look out for in 2021: Cedar Creek
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,…
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Continue ReadingThis 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 fall 2019. One team to watch out for is Cedar Creek.
Cedar Creek was a good team a year ago led by only three seniors. This team has a majority of their squad returning who will all be upperclassmen. Those top players gone are Nina Casselberry and Angelina Cox. If these ladies can step up, they should not miss a beat. This presents a grand opportunity for them to improve off of a 18-7 campaign.
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 Absegami. They avenged that second place regular season by winning the Cape-Atlantic League Tournament. In the NJSIAA tournament, they were in Group 2 and lost in the second round to Indian Hills.
Some players to look out for are Kylie Ackerman, Ella Crawford and Amanda Purdy. Ackerman was the starting libero last season and had a solid junior campaign with 215 digs and 20 assists. Her ability to make passes when many teammates believe she wouldn’t creates extra scoring opportunities for the squad.
Ella Crawford will be stepping into the number one role on the outside with Casselberry gone. Crawford as the number 2 option still had decent numbers with 81 kills and 134 digs. She has all the shots as she can play opposite as well. Watch out for her to have a monster year which will make Cedar Creek an immediate threat.
Lastly, Amanda Purdy is the squads middle blocker and she will be looked upon to step up like Crawford. Those two could be a lethal duo this season making opposing teams off balance trying to determine who is going to get the kill. Purdy had 78 kills, 13 blocks and 38 digs.
My only concern for the team is at the position of setter as Cox is gone. Sarah Goodrich is the one who should step into her place. Goodrich saw limited playing time as a sophomore, so it will be important to help this team not miss a beat by giving Cedar Creek scoring opportunities with her passing as the new setter. If she can step up, watch out for them.
This is a squad with 9 potential returners from last seasons’ squad so an opportunity is there for Cedar Creek to do something special this season by letting the state of NJ know they are a force to be reckon with but it will all come down to whether or not their players will pick up the slack with their top two players gone.