Three in a row was a goal of the top-seeded Westfield High School girls volleyball Blue Devils when they hosted the second-seeded Union City Soaring Eagles for the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 championship at Westfield High School on November 12. That goal was attained when the Blue Devils took a huge lead, held off a Union City surge but regrouped to win Game 1, 25-17, then cruised in Game 2, 25-16 to claim the crown.
Even more importantly, the game was dedicated to Brandon Genlot, a senior on the boys varsity volleyball team, who died in a car crash on November 11.
The 20-10 Blue Devils entered the playoffs by defeating the Union Farmers, 25-16, 25-18, in the quarterfinal round. Next, they humbled the Phillipsburg Stateliners, 25-12, 2511, in the semifinal round. The Union City Soaring Eagles prevailed over the Irvington Blue Knights, 25-9, 258, in the first round then survived a three-game endurance run over East Orange, 25-19, 20-25, 25-21, in the quarterfinal round. Union City also had a tough battle with the Columbia Cougars in the semifinals but pulled out a 25-22, 25-20, victory.
Last year, the Blue Devils defeated the Elizabeth Lady Minutemen in two games, 25-15, 25-20, for the title. In 2022, the Blue Devils stopped the Watchung Hills Warriors handily, 2517, 25-14. In 2021, the Blue Devils lost to the Ridge Red Devils, 25-9, 25-22, for the crown.
Against Union City, the Blue Devils amassed 20 kills and junior outside hitterAva Gaspard notched seven of them to go with two blocks, five digs and four services with two aces. Senior middle blocker Catie Carayannopoulos, who was sidelined last year due to an injury, chalked up four kills, three blocks and five services. Junior outside hitter Vicki Morey finished with four kills, seven digs and three services with an ace. Senior Maddy Coen contributed three kills and two digs. Seniors Sabrina Muller (2 digs) and Keira Dengler each notched a kill. Junior Emilia Dengler dished out 20 assists and added four digs and a service. Junior Libero and serving specialist Audrey Hu scooped six digs and added 12 services with three aces. Junior outside hitter Audrey Stack had three services and six digs.
The 21-6 Soaring Eagles totaled 19 kills and the most effective was senior outside hitter Molly Brown, who recorded 12 kills, to go with four digs and two services. Junior outside hitter Dayna Orefice finished with four kills, two digs and two services. Junior Annabelle Ceballos had two kills and an ace. Senior Vaqlerie Munevar recorded a kill and six digs. Sophomore setter Nicole Ayala dished out 16 assists and added six services and seven digs. Senior defensive specialist Lady Nicole Marin had seven digs and an ace. Sophomore defensive specialist Valerie Minaya scooped three digs.
The Blue Devils would travel to Morristown on November 14 to face the No. 10, 19-6 Morristown Colonials in the Group 4 semifinals. Previously, the Colonials defeated the 20-7 Livingston Lancers, 25-18, 2516, for the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 title.
