State Championship: Sectional Finals Central/South Previews
We took a look a the half of the sectional finals by looking at the North there are still the Central and South Sections. Let’s take a look at the matchups and key players. Central Group 1 Hoboken vs Dayton…
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Continue ReadingWe took a look a the half of the sectional finals by looking at the North there are still the Central and South Sections. Let’s take a look at the matchups and key players.
Central
Group 1
Hoboken vs Dayton
The top two seeds square off in Hoboken and Dayton in their first-ever meeting. It will be intriguing to see how everything plays out. Both teams cruised in their semifinal matchups, but both teams were struggling towards the end of the season.
Key Players:
Dayton: Samantha Janker (OH), Kennedy Kwinta (S)
Hoboken: Madison Walia-Peters (S), Morgan Walia-Peters (OH)
Group 2
Gov. Livingston vs Mendham
Another first time meeting takes place in Group 2 between these squads. Gov. Livingston survived in their semifinal matchup while Mendham has not gotten out of second gear yet. Can Gov. Livingston’s team-defense hold off Mendham’s offensive firepower?
Key Players:
Gov. Livingston: Abby Periera (O), Brooke Gyory (MB)
Mendham: Sarah Wilcock Sarah Wilcock S Mendham | 2023 State NJ (S), Poppy Skjonnemand (MB)
Group 3
Colts Neck vs Brick Memorial
These two squads turned Group 3 upside down after their semifinal upset with their cinderella runs. A matchup that has not taken place in 2014 but these two lower seeds have been playing their best volleyball in this tournament.
Key Players:
Colts Neck: Mary Huegel (OH), Alex Foley (OH)
Brick Memorial: Kate Stoughton Kate Stoughton 5'7" | S Brick Memorial | 2022 State NJ (OH), Madison Partenfelder (S)
Group 4
Old Bridge vs East Brunswick
Will the fourth time be the charm for Old Bridge? East Brunswick is undefeated and three of their wins have been over Old Bridge this season. This is going to be a tight one and it’s extremely difficult to beat the same team so many times.
Key Players:
Old Bridge: Leena Tran (OH), Malvina Sullivan (OH)
East Brunswick: Paige Anania Paige Anania 5'5" | OH East Brunswick | 2022 State NJ (OH), Hailey Benesz (OH)
South
Group 1
Delaware Valley vs Point Pleasant Beach
The top two seeds in Group 1 square in Delaware Valley and Point Pleasant Beach. Delaware Valley has cruised without dropping sets while Point Pleasant Beach was battled-tested in their semifinal matchup. Both teams calling cards are offensive balance.
Key Players:
Delaware Valley: Abigail Hayth (OH), Emily Kraynanski (O)
Point Pleasant Beach: Ella Dafeldecker (MB), Nicole Nase (S)
Group 2
Wall vs Barnegat
Wall’s magical run continues as they take on the number 2 seed in Barnegat. Wall took out the top seed in Pinelands in the semifinals while Barnegat has cruised in not dropping a set. A matchup between two squads for the first time since 2016.
Key Players:
Wall: Maxine Erlanger (OH), Kristen Williamson (L)
Barnegat: Patria Moreno (S), Avery O’Cone (OH)
Group 3
Toms River South vs Toms River East
It’s an all Toms River affair in the Group 3 final as the top seed was eliminated in the semifinals. So what’s a better final than a crosstown rivalry for a sectional crown. And in the third matchup this season, we are in for a treat as both matchups went the distance this season.
Key Players:
Toms River South: Jordan Motyka (OH), Adia Decasse (MB)
Toms River East: Rebecca Keith (OH), Megan Currie (S)
Group 4
Williamstown vs Southern
It wouldn’t be a final in this group if it wasn’t Williamstown vs Southern. Williamstown, unbeaten, is arguably the best team in the state and they have to take on their nemesis in Southern who have their groove of late. Matchup earlier this season went the distance.
Key Players:
Williamstown: Joanna Andrews (S), Dajah Williams (O)
Southern: Hailea Krause (OH), Jordyn Hamlin (O)