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Volleyball

by Marc Narducci

Cherokee Chiefs
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior outside hitter Jessica Quinlan was an all-conference performer. Junior middle hitter Jenna Haxton set a single-season school record with 49 blocks, and senior Alyssa Gilboy set a single-season school record with 178 digs. Other returning veterans are senior middle hitter Sarah Speight, senior defensive specialist Angela Kim and senior outside hitter Gabrielle Best. Returning letter winners include five juniors—defensive specialists Brianna Ruffalo, Janine Locher and Christy Mallinder, middle hitter Elizabeth Montague and setter Melissa Lutz.

OUTLOOK: After going 24-4 and winning the division with an 8-0 record, similar success is likely for the Chiefs. In fact, coach Erika McGinley’s team could surface in the long list of state title contenders. At the least, Cherokee should be among the top 10 programs in South Jersey.

Cherry Hill East Cougars
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior setter Nancy Brown had 338 assists and 33 aces. Senior outside hitter Shaniece Simpkins contributed 60 kills, and senior middle hitter Shiri Lasman had a 17 percent hitting percentage. Also adding experience to the Cougars is opposite hitter Natalie Roy, a senior. Two newcomers from the JV squad who could be key performers are junior outside hitter Chelsea Campbell and sophomore middle hitter Natalia Majkut.

OUTLOOK: Coach Scott Mooney (107-43) always has the Cougars competitive and this year should be no different. The Cougars were 14-9 and the key to improving will be replacing graduated Kate Wrinn, who had 143 kills, and two-time all-conference selection Jamie DiVito. This is a program that has the capability to be among the top 10 in South Jersey.

Cherry Hill West Lions
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Outside hitter Amanda Versace is a returning first-team all-conference selection. She is coming off ankle surgery and the Lions hope to have her back in time. Among the key letter winners are setter Chelsea Holiday, middle Jalena O’Leary, power/outside hitter Sierra Machinski and middle Emma Scott. Catherine Horiatis will be a newcomer to watch this season. Holiday is the team’s only returning setter and will have a prominent role this year.

OUTLOOK: The Lions hope to improve and, if Versace is healthy, that will be a realistic goal. The key will be how the players who were letter winners a year ago step up in bigger roles this year.

Eastern Vikings
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior setter Emily Springle was a first-team all-conference choice. Senior middle hitter Emily Fair was a first-team All-South Jersey selection. Other experienced players include senior middle hitter Jackie Garruto, senior opposite hitter/libero Taylor Kauterman, senior defensive specialist/libero Allison Meyer, senior defensive specialist/libero Devon Wall and senior opposite Laurel Applebaum. Other players returning to the team include senior defensive specialist/libero Stephanie Hays, senior opposite hitter Ashley Skowronek, senior middle Tatiana Henry, junior middle Kerri Watkins, sophomore outside hitter/setter Kylee Applebaum and sophomore middle/opposition/outside hitter Jessica Sklar.

OUTLOOK: The Vikings, traditionally one of the top programs in South Jersey, were 14-11 last season and look for marked improvement under coach Tom Armour (268-146). The Vikings should be in the hunt along with the likes of Cherokee and Cherry Hill East in the Olympic Conference and should also be a factor in the postseason.

Gloucester Catholic Rams
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior defensive specialist Jenna Castaldo had 172 digs, 61 aces and 205 assists. Castaldo was first-team all-conference along with senior setter Brittney Cogan. Seniors Natalie DiCarlo and Casey Lynch were second-team all-conference choices last year. DiCarlo had 165 digs and 150 assists. Junior defensive specialist Morgan Masiejczyk had 171 digs, and senior defensive specialist Allie Golden added 125 digs and 52 aces. Returning letter winners will include Kylie McCann, Allie McCarthy and Angelika Paluch, while sophomore Jackie DiCarlo is a newcomer to watch.

OUTLOOK: The Rams have an experienced team ready to make a run at a division title. While Cinnaminson may be the team to beat, Gloucester Catholic should be highly competitive. Coach Pete Petersen has an experienced group that should give anybody on its schedule a difficult time.

Lenape Indians
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Two starters return for the Indians, junior middle hitter Alicia Day and sophomore hitter Emily Sheehan. Day led the team last season in kills (135), blocks (26) and aces (32). Key returning letter winners include passer Kaitlin Decker and hitter Megan Begley, both juniors. Janani Perera, who played JV the past two seasons, should be a contributor on the varsity level.

OUTLOOK: The Indians lost several strong players to graduation, though this isn’t a total rebuilding season. That is why a realistic goal for coach Matt Tavares’ team is to improve on last year’s 10-11 record and earn a playoff berth—difficult but attainable goals.

Moorestown Quakers
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Moorestown coach Scott Atkinson didn’t want to release any names until he was sure the players were on the team, but based on last year, current seniors Jessica Booth and Tori Deberardinis were first-team all-conference selections. Senior Anna Allende was a second-team choice.

OUTLOOK: The Quakers were a division champion last year and this program has the tradition of being one of the top teams in South Jersey. That is a tradition that should continue.

Paul VI Eagles
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Kelly Duphorn was a second-team all-conference selection. Senior setter Allison Calabria and junior outside Katie Underwood were second-team choices. Another key returning starter is junior middle Brenna Jones. Returning letter winners include senior middles Erin Johns and Katie Steussy, junior outsides Michaela Trainor and Carly Histing, and sophomores Kim Bryfogle and Janette Assi. Two players to watch from the JV are outside Sarah Comitale and libero Julia Masse.

OUTLOOK: In only their second season, the Eagles went 12-8 and qualified for the state tournament, so this is a program on the rise. With only two seniors graduated, the Eagles should continue to show improvement under coach Tim Linehan. A realistic goal is improving on last season’s win total.

Seneca Golden Eagles
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior setter/hitter Kayla Snyder was a first-team all-Olympic Conference selection. Senior libero Dominique Putney was a second-team choice. Other starters who will return to the court are junior middle Eile Harris and junior outside/middle Jess Schreiber. Among the letter winners are senior hitter Madison Hughes, senior setter/backline Jess Molowski and junior setter/backline Allie Buscemi.

OUTLOOK: The Golden Eagles were 17-9 and improvement is possible for coach Matt Bush if the non-starters from last year can fill in and keep the program at the competitive level that it is used to.

Shawnee Renegades
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Three seniors who were second-team all-conference performers are middle hitter Breanne Ayala, outside hitter Kerry Dougherty and libero Amanda Gordan. Top letter winners include senior all-around Alexa Bonomo and senior setter Allison Henry. Senior India Cassell, who is new to the sport, could provide some key depth.

OUTLOOK: Coach Margaret Fanourgakis’ team went 13-8 and was second in the Olympic Patriot Division last year. With a strong senior class, the Renegades certainly could meet or even surpass last year’s record while also contending in the Olympic Conference Patriot Division.

Washington Township Minutemaids
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Two of the leaders are senior captains Krystiana Schaffer, a power hitter, and Brianna Harrington, a middle hitter. Sophomore middle hitter Emily Wescott enjoyed a strong freshman season as a starter and provides needed experience.

OUTLOOK: The Minutemaids had just one senior last season and, not surprisingly, struggled due to the inexperience in winning just four times. The team could be improved but is still relatively young. The main goal will be to increase the win total and, with the leadership from the senior captains, that’s a realistic goal.

Schedules

Camden Catholic Fighting Irish
8/31 at Camden High School, 11 a.m.
9/7 at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
9/14 at Gloucester Catholic, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 vs. Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
9/21 at Invitational Meet Matchups at Camden Catholic, 3:45 p.m.
9/27 vs. Seneca, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 at Northern Burlington, 3:45 p.m.
10/3 vs. Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
10/9 vs. Sterling, 3:45 p.m.
10/12 vs. Gloucester Catholic, 3:45 p.m.
10/15 at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
10/17 at Woodrow Wilson HS, 4 p.m.

Cherokee Chiefs
9/7 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 vs. Washington Township, 5:15 p.m.
9/22 at Cherokee Spiketakular, 9 a.m.
9/27 at Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
10/3 vs. Cherry Hill East, 5:15 p.m.
10/15 at Washington Township, 3:45 p.m.
10/16 at Eastern, 5:15 p.m.

Cherry Hill East Cougars 9/6 at Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
9/7 vs. Cherokee, 3:45 p.m.
9/8 at Eastern High School- Eastern Invitational, TBA
9/12 vs. Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 at Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
9/21 at Kingsway, 3:45 p.m.
9/24 at Rancocas Valley, 3:45 p.m.
9/27 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 vs. Clearview, 3:45 p.m.
10/1 vs. Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.
10/3 at Cherokee, 3:45 p.m.
10/9 at Moorestown, 3:45 p.m.
10/12 at Washington Township, 3:45 p.m.
10/15 vs. Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
10/19 vs. Rancocas Valley, 3:45 p.m.
10/22 vs. Gloucester County Institute of Technology, 3:45 p.m.
10/27 at McAleer Tournament at Eastern, TBA

Cherry Hill West Lions
8/23 vs. Clearview, 10 a.m.
9/6 vs. Rancocas Valley, 3:45 p.m.
9/7 at GCIT, 3:45 p.m.
9/10 at Kingsway, 3:45 p.m.
9/12 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
9/14 vs. Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 at Seneca, 4 p.m.
9/21 at Clearview, 3:45 p.m.
9/24 at Winslow, 3:45 p.m.
9/27 vs. Cherokee, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 vs. Eastern, 5:15 p.m.
10/1 at Moorestown, 5:15 p.m.
10/3 vs. GCIT, 3:45 p.m.
10/5 vs. Kingsway, 3:45 p.m.
10/9 vs. Washington Township, 3:45 p.m.
10/10 at Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
10/11 at Northern Burlington, 3:45 p.m.
10/12 at Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
10/15 vs. Seneca, 4 p.m.
10/17 at Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
10/19 vs. Winslow, 3:45 p.m.
10/22 vs. Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.

Eastern Vikings
9/9 at Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
9/10 vs. Eastern Invitational, 9 a.m.
9/12 at Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
9/15 vs. Williamstown, 4 p.m.
9/16 vs. Cherokee, 3:45 p.m.
9/17 at Paramus Quad, 10 a.m.
9/19 at Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
9/20 vs. Camden County VoTech and Gloucester Township Tech., 3:45 p.m.
9/21 vs. Clearview, 4 p.m.
9/22 vs. Washington Township, 3:45 p.m.
9/24 at Livingston Tournament, 9 a.m.
9/27 at Moorestown, 5:15 p.m.
10/1 at Brick Memorial Tournament, 9 a.m.
10/3 at Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
10/5 at Rancocas Valley, 3:45 p.m.
10/11 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
10/13 vs. Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
10/14 vs. Saint Joseph’s, 3:45 p.m.
10/17 at Cherokee, 5:30 p.m.
10/18 vs. Hunterdon Central Regional, 5:30 p.m.
10/19 at Washington Township, 3:45 p.m.
10/20 at Moorestown, 4 p.m.
10/21 vs. Rancocas Valley, 3:45 p.m.
10/24 vs. Absegami, 4 p.m.
10/26 vs. Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
10/29 vs. McAleer Memorial Tournament, 9 a.m.
11/1 at NJSIAA Tournament at Marlboro, 5 p.m.

Gloucester Catholic Rams
9/6 vs. Northern Burlington, 4 p.m.
9/7 at Cinnaminson, 4 p.m.
9/10 at Pennsauken Tech, 4 p.m.
9/11 at St. Joseph, 4 p.m.
9/12 at Paul VI, 4 p.m.
9/14 vs. Camden Catholic, 4 p.m.
9/17 vs. Clearview, 4 p.m.
9/21 vs. Sterling, 4 p.m.
9/24 vs. Camden Academy Charter, 4 p.m.
9/25 vs. Our Lady of Mercy Academy, 4 p.m.
9/28 at Camden, 4 p.m.
10/1 vs. Woodrow Wilson, 4 p.m.
10/3 vs. Cinnaminson, 4 p.m.
10/5 vs. Pennsauken Tech, 4 p.m.
10/9 at Seneca, 4 p.m.
10/11 at Winslow Township, 4 p.m.
10/12 at Camden Catholic, 4 p.m.
10/15 at Our Lady of Mercy Academy, 4 p.m.
10/17 vs. Pennsauken, 4 p.m.
10/19 at Camden Academy Charter, 4 p.m.

Lenape Indians
9/19 vs. Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
9/24 at Washington Township, 4 p.m.
10/9 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
10/10 vs. Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
10/15 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
10/18 vs. Washington Township, 4 p.m.

Moorestown Quakers
9/6 vs. Cherokee, 5:15 p.m.
9/10 at Clearview Regional, 4 p.m.
9/12 at Washington Township, 3:45 p.m.
9/13 vs. Cinnaminson, 5:15 p.m.
9/19 vs. Eastern, 5:15 p.m.
9/21 vs. Cape Christian Academy, 4 p.m.
9/22 at Hunterdon Central Regional, 10 a.m.
9/24 at Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
9/27 at Rancocas Valley Regional, 5:15 p.m.
9/28 at Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
10/1 vs. Cherry Hill West, 5:15 p.m.
10/3 at Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
10/5 vs. Clearview Regional, 5:15 p.m.
10/9 vs. Cherry Hill East, 5:15 p.m.
10/10 vs. Lawrenceville Prep, 5:15 p.m.
10/13 at Burlington County Open, 8 a.m.
10/15 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
10/16 vs. Northern Burlington, 5:15 p.m.
10/17 at Gloucester County Institute of Technology, 3:45 p.m.
10/18 vs. Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
10/20 at Absegami, 11 a.m.
10/22 vs. Kingsway Regional, 5:15 p.m.

Paul VI Eagles
9/6 at Penn Tech, 3:45 p.m.
9/7 vs. Sterling, 4 p.m.
9/10 at Camden, 4:15 p.m.
9/12 vs. Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
9/18 at Pleasantville, 4 p.m.
9/10 vs. Northern Burlington, 4 p.m.
9/21 at Seneca, 3:45 p.m.
9/24 at Woodrow Wilson, 4 p.m.
9/25 at St. Joseph, 4 p.m.
9/27 at Winslow, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 vs. Cinnaminson, 4 p.m.
10/1 vs. Camden Catholic, 4 p.m.
10/3 at Sterling, 4 p.m.
10/5 at Camden Catholic, 4:15 p.m.
10/9 at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
10/11 vs. Pennsauken, 4 p.m.
10/12 vs. St. Joseph, 4 p.m.
10/15 at Northern Burlington, 3:45 p.m.
10/16 at Our Lady of Mercy, 4 p.m.
10/18 vs. Pleasantville, 4 p.m.
10/19 vs. Woodrow Wilson, 3:45 p.m.
10/22 at Washington Township, 4 p.m.

Seneca Golden Eagles
9/7 at Winslow, 3:45 p.m.
9/12 at Camden, 4:15 p.m.
9/19 vs. Cherry Hill West, 4 p.m.
9/21 vs. Paul VI, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 at Sterling, 3:45 p.m.
10/3 vs. Winslow, 3:45 p.m.
10/15 at Cherry Hill West, 4 p.m.
10/17 vs. Cinnaminson, 3:45 p.m.

Shawnee Renegades
9/6 vs. Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 vs. Sterling, 3:45 p.m.
9/24 vs. Eastern, 5:15 p.m.
10/1 at Washington Township, 4 p.m.
10/17 vs. Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
10/19 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.

Washington Township Minutemaids
9/6 at GCIT, 3:45 p.m.
9/8 at Williamstown Tournament, 8:30 a.m.
9/10 vs. Rancocas Valley, 4 p.m.
9/12 vs. Moorestown, 3:45 p.m.
9/14 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 at Cherokee, 5:15 p.m.
9/21 vs. Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
9/24 vs. Lenape, 4 p.m.
9/27 at Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
9/28 vs. Kingsway, 3:45 p.m.
10/1 at Shawnee, 4 p.m.
10/5 at Rancocas Valley, 5:15 p.m.
10/9 at Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
10/12 vs. Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
10/15 vs. Cherokee, 3:45 p.m.
10/17 vs. Clearview, 3:45 p.m.
10/18 at Lenape, 4 p.m.
10/22 vs. Paul VI, 4 p.m.
10/25 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
10/27 at Eastern Tournament, TBA

Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family’s High School Fall Sports Preview, July, 2012.
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