Friday,
October 12, 2007
By
Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer
NORTH BERGEN –
Memorial of West New York has been the most dominant girls’
volleyball program in Hudson County over the past two decades.
The Lady Tigers have racked up numerous titles over that span,
and were considered the gold standard for the rest of the county
to shoot for. But after losing the county title to Bayonne last
year, the Tigers felt they had to start back at square one and
refocus with a new, more relaxed attitude.
That all starts with
the example set by the captain, and senior Michelle Del Valle
was happy to take that leadership role. Behind the four-year starter’s
play, the Tigers seem to be on their way back to the top.
The Tigers led for
all but one point of the match as they blitzed North Bergen to
remain unbeaten in HCIAA play with a 25-8, 25-8 victory on Thursday
afternoon.
“We’ve
always had some good teams since I’ve been here, but this
team is different,” said Del Valle. “I think it’s
because we’re all so close off the court as we are on the
court that helps us. We’re relaxed, but we play hard because
we don’t want to let each other down.”
Johanna Gonzalez served
an ace on the first point of the match. However, that would be
North Bergen’s only lead and the Tigers quickly opened it
up. Jen Vaccaro drilled consecutive aces to cap a 7-0 run for
a 13-4 lead, and Memorial never looked back.
The Tigers showed no
signs of letting up and scored the first five points of the second
game. They continued to pad their lead until Stephanie Tonzan’s
kill closed out the match.
“The girls are
very close off the court and we’ve started to jell as a
team on the court lately,” said Memorial head coach John
Wengerter. “I think the girls just enjoy playing together
and that starts with Michelle (Del Valle) and her positive attitude.
We don’t look past anyone and take everything one game at
a time.”
Del Valle had eight
assists, seven service points, four digs, and three aces for Memorial
(12-2, 11-0 HCIAA). Vaccaro finished with 10 service points, three
digs, and a pair of kills. Carolina Chica added five assists,
four service points, and three kills.
Stephanie Herriera
notched a match-high seven digs for North Bergen (4-10). Tiffany
Lorincz chipped in with four service points, three aces, three
digs, and an assist.
“Right now Bayonne
has earned to be called the best team in the county, but we feel
we’re right there with them,” added Del Valle. “Our
goals for this year are to win counties and to go far in the states.
It’s my senior year and I hope we can keep getting better
and end it on a positive note.”
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