Filling the Stat Sheet: Top Players

<p>From the spring season, we knew it would be a struggle to have teams even out the amount of matches they would play. But we’re grateful for the volleyball being played.  All teams are at different stages of their season in regards to matches played with some in the double digits while others are just beginning. As we’ve been able to dive into the season, players and teams are playing at the highest level. We are going to be looking at the top players statistically. These numbers were provided by NJ.com as of September 21st. </p> <p><strong>Kills</strong></p> <p><em>Alexis Caltabiano (Gloucester Tech) </em></p> <p>Caltabiano has taken the season by storm early on as she is the top option for Gloucester Tech. She has a commanding lead in kills with 90 at the moment. </p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="153457" first="Patricia" last="Rakova"] (Verona) </em></p> <p>Rakova is a force on the outside with a live arm and is starting to find her own defensively as she is starting to see more playing time in the back row. She has 68 kills on the season. </p> <p><em>Sofia Fernandez (Montville) </em></p> <p>Fernandez is the focal point for Montville. She is the one keeping them in matches almost all by herself. She has a live arm and her 65 kills demonstrate that. </p> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <p><em>Bridget Lonergan (Mount St. Dominic) </em></p> <p>Lonergan has been the focal point of a Mount Dominic squad . But she has taken this season by storm to start the year with 26 blocks. Her length causes so many problems.  </p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="154716" first="Emily" last="Smernoff"] (Sparta) </em></p> <p>Smernoff is one who has contributed significantly for Sparta. Her timing on blocks has been crucial to why she has 19 on the season. </p> <p><em>Esther Babatunde (Linden) </em></p> <p>Babatunde for Linden has been a solid defender in the middle this season. She has great anticipation and able to guess her angles of where her opponents are going and gives her 18 blocks. </p> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <p><em>Joanna Andrews (Williamstown) </em></p> <p>Andrews leaves her fingerprint on every play for Williamstown. Her volleyball IQ is off the charts and is the reason why she leads the state in assists with 159. </p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="152484" first="Mackenzie" last="Bloss"] (St. John Vianney) </em></p> <p>The senior setter can make every pass in the book and does it with pinpoint accuracy. And has been racking up the numbers with 143 assists so far. </p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="152489" first="Emily" last="Wolters"] (North Hunterdon) </em></p> <p>Wolters has showcased her precision passing and ability to be creative from anywhere on the court which makes the entire team more dangerous offensively. She has 136 assists at the moment. </p> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <p><em>Mirka Cordova (Plainfield) </em></p> <p>Cordova is the offensive firepower for Plainfield. She showcases a lot of variety in her serve and that makes it difficult for opponents to handle and leads the way with 37 aces. </p> <p><em>Grace Toscano (St. Rose) </em></p> <p>Toscano’s wicked serve remains as she was at the top in the spring and still is in the fall. She gives St. Rose so many free points off of her serve and has 32 aces on the season so far. </p> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id="153451" first="Liahnna" last="Orange"] (Mother Seton) </em></p> <p>Orange has a solid serve for Mother Seton and she knows how to hit her spots. Finding the pockets of space where it’s difficult for opposing teams to make a solid pass. </p> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <p><em>Abigail Adams (Morris Tech) </em></p> <p>Adams has been all over the court for Morris Tech. Her anticipation and quick first step allows to get to balls many believe she can’t and is why she leads the way with 136 digs. </p> <p><em>Sam Wilton (North Hunterdon) </em></p> <p>Wilton is another who is already in the triple digits when it comes to digs with 103. She can make all the passes and covers so much ground due to her court position.</p> <p><em>Brianna Otto (Southern) </em></p> <p>Otto has been a bright spot on a Southern squad that has struggled out of the gates. Her 92 digs is due to her high quality passing and ensuring it’s an opportunity for her teammates. </p>