The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 34

C-4 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 vww.MyCentfaUersey.com COURIER NEWS VARSITY NJSIAA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Top-seeded Southern ends Red Devils' run By JOE SERZAN Staff Writer WAYNE The effort was there, lnfortunately, so were the high 13 kills. Also contributing were sophomore Kristen Keegan, who had 10 digs, and junior middle blocker Rachel Levy and senior outside hitters Stephanie La-vallate and Kelly Edwards, who each had five kills. It was Edwards who began the Red Devils' late charge in the third, as they trailed from 15-10 midway through and fought back to close to within 22-19 before the Lions put them away for good with a 3-1 run. Tripp led the charge in the second, spreading out six of her kills during the set to help the Red Devils get back into the match. stormed back to take the second set 25-13 thanks to the sawy play of veterans Hillary Guardo and Brittnay Gajewski, who combined to set up their teammates with great chances to score.

Those chances were available in the third set, too, but the Lions got out to an early lead and put away the game late. "It wasn't our top day," Rodri-gues said. "But despite everything, we were still in it late, and I think that's a real testament to the girls' efforts and resolve out there." Leading the way for the Red Devils was junior middle blocker Cara Tripp, who had a game- "The girls played their hearts out," Hunterdon Central coach Amanda Rodrigues said. "But we made 10 hitting errors in Games One and Three, and we Just could not overcome that. You can't give a good team those chances." Southern (38-1) took advantage, winning the first set 25-19 and the last 25-20 to advance to the Tournament of Champions.

Senior outside hitter Erin Regan and junior middle blocker Avery Hodgson led the way for the Lions, as they each tallied five kills. After falling in their first game, the Red Devils (27-4) Hunterdon Central took the early advantage in each of fee first two games, having a 6-2 lead to begin fee first and an 8-2 advantage to start fee second, but it just could not execute down the stretch. While the defeat ended Hunterdon Central's season, it cannot take away from its plethora of accomplishments this year. "It was a great season," Rodri-gues said. "I mean an overall record of 27-4, a county and a conference championship.

I told fee girls that it might feel bad now, but looking back there were so many accomplishments to be proud of going forward." SOUTHERN 2 HUNTERDON CENTRAL 1 The second-seeded Hunterdon Central High School girls volleyball team fought hard against top-seeded Southern but fell 2-1 'in the NJSIAA Group IV final Saturday at William Paterson University. NJSIAA FIELD HOCKEY Billy excited for another shot at Eastern it yx By JARED SHANKER Staff Writer it It has been in the back of her mind all season. The ultimate goal for her and her Bridgewater-Raritan High School field hockey teammates was to return to the NJSIAA Group IV final for the fourth consecutive year. Put for Sammy Billy, she secretly was hoping that standing on the opposite sideline for today's Group IV final was the team that has had her number since she started at center back for the Panthers as a freshman: Eastern. Jhere is no shame in losing to the Vikings, who have defeated the Panthers in the past three Group IV finals and are looking for their 10th straight state title.

It wasn't until last year that the Vikings' decade-long winning streak against New Jersey opponents was snapped. "Yes," Billy answered when asked if playing the Vikings in the state final was her ideal scenario entering the season. "We wanted our chance back at East-', ern." That might not have been the case a few years ago. It' not easy playing against a team feat plays a national schedule and is re garded as one of the best teams in the country. This year, however, Billy says intimidation no longer will be a factor.

"I think that there is an intimidation factor," Billy said. "That's what hurt us the last few-years. We were scared." Not anymore. Billy knows bet-. ter now.

She has been on the big stage since her freshman season s': Stair photo by Mark R. Sullivan Bridgevrater-Rajritaii's Sammy Billy, left, shown here in the NJSIAA North 2 Group IV final against Hunterdon Central last week, is excited to have another shot at Eastern in the Group IV championship. The Panthers have lost to Eastern in the past three state finals. NJSIAA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Final loss can't dim UC's year By JOE SERZAN Staff Writer WAYNE The Union Catholic High School girls volleyball team's season ended Saturday, as Immaculate Heart handed the Vikings their sixth and final loss wife a 2-0 victory in the NJSIAA Non-Public final at William Paterson University. IMMACULATE HEART UNION CATHOLIC 2 0 But what a season it was for the Vikings (22-6): They were the Union County Tournament champions, Mountain Valley Conference champions and won three straight NJSIAA Tournament games to get to fee final.

"No matter what the outcome was, I am always happy and proud for them," Union Catholic coach Nancy Saggio said after the match. "Today, we just didn't have it, but we still had a pretty exciting year." Excited at the start, fee Vikings took to fee court eager to dethrone fee Blue Eagles (26-1), who were looking to defend their Non-Public title of a year ago. But fee Vikings ran into an especially good performance from Immaculate Heart junior Ariel Scott, who finished wife 14 kills and four blocks during fee match. "She (Scott) was phenomenal," Saggio said. "We came in wife a game plan to try and counteract her, but she played extremely well." Scott was all over fee court from start to finish, spiking and cleaning up many shots during the Blue Eagles' 25-8, 25-16 win.

But it wasn't just offense for fee Blue Eagles. Senior li-bero Stephanie Cruz had seven digs, and the Immaculate Heart defense thwarted many Union Catholic advances. "They really played great defense," Union Catholic senior libera Kristine Esquera said. "We had some chances though, too, but we just could not put them away." The Blue Eagles took a commanding 17-5 advantage in fee first game and followed it with a 104 second-game run to all but seal fee deal. "We just didn't have it today," said Union Catholic freshman Julie Monroy, who finished with three kills and three digs.

"Whatever we had in fee semifinals and quarterfinals just wasn't there." Junior Emily Willim accounted for five kills and two digs to round out the scoring for fee Vikings. Union Catholic had advanced to fee final by defeating St. Joseph of Hammonton (25-19, 25-12), DePaul (25-14, 25-20) and Holy Angels (17-25, 25-17, 25-16). "We are a young team, and we can only learn from this experience," Monroy said. "Win or lose, we tried today and we'll continue to do so down the line." great." Billy won't have time to be taken aback by the scenery at Toms River High School East.

She can't. And if she does, chances are Eastern leading scorer Kelsey Mitchell, whom Panthers coach Kathie DeBonis said they will keep a definite eye on, will be in fee back of the Panthers' cage on more than one oc Gabby Koziowtkl Carll Rouh' Katoy NJSIAA Group IV Field Hockey final WHO: Bridgewater-Raritan (203) vs. Eastern Regional (22-2). WHEN: Sunday, 2 p.m. WHERE: Toms River BridgewateRaritan fU4agnnim Eastern Regional 3-31 augnm Billy i Pstronohak Pfrto casion.

This is Billy's last chance at Eastern. And not only does she think this is her best chance, it's fee chance. "We can definitely win this game, and we're definitely at our best," she said. "There's no stopping us. We're going to keep going, and we're going to do it.

We believe we can do anything." H.S. East Aim kU Dmon Bury Jaclyn 41 Baaatoy- North 2 Secaucus 46, Becton 0 Brearley 14, Glen Ridge 13 Hoboken 7, Cedar Grove 6 Verona 27, New Providence 3 Central Bound Brook 36, Florence 26 Metuchen 12, Shore 10 Middlesex 16, Highland Park 14 Asbury Park 1 4, New Egypt 0 South Glassboro 34, Gloucester City 0 Haddon Heights 33, Palmyra 9 Paulsboro 50, Pennsville 7 Penns Grove 28, Woodbury 21 NON-PUBLIC Group IV Don Bosco Prep 65, Paul VI 6 St. Peter's P. 17, Red Bank Cath. 15 Seton Hall Prep at Bergen ppd.

Group III Immaculate 21, Holy Spirit 20 (OT) Camden Catholic 34, Bishop Ahr 27 Gloucester Cath. 37, Pope John 14 Delbarton at St Joe-Montvale, ppd. Group I i M'town Beard at St. fed. SulHvMfiT ill Hi.

and has learned how to deal with the pressure and expectations that come wife a Group IV final appearance, something she has talked about to the underclass-' men. "There's a lot of pressure," Billy said. "A few of (fee underclassmen) are real nervous. We're telling them it's a big stage, but at fee end it will be GALLERY ON THE WEB See more photos from Saturday's NJSIAA Individual Gymnastics Championships. CehfralTersey Sparta 1 4, Wayne Valley 1 0 Nrth2 West Morris 48, Nutley 6 Rahway 33, Roxbury 7 Philllpsburg 1 4, Mendham 0 Irvington 27, Morristown 20 Central Middletown So.

14, New Brunswick 7 Ocean Township 9, Monroe 7 Nottingham at Freehold Boro, ppd. Neptune at Lawrence, ppd. South Lacey 6, Ocean City 0 DT) Hammonton 42, Cumberland 21 Fwni uL Scouting Bridgewater-Raritan How they got here: The Panthers defeated Middletown North 6-0 in the North 2 Group IV semifinals and Hunterdon Central 3-2 in the final. They defeated Morris Knolls 1-0 in the Group IV semifinal. Scouting the Panthers: The Panthers come into their fourth straight Group IV final riding an 18-game winning streak, having not dropped a game since losing to state power Oak Knoll 2-0 on Sept.

20. The Panthers are strong offensively with Carlee Dragon out on the wing. Dragon, only a junior, scored the game-winner against Morris Knolls. The Panthers have no shortage of talent in the midfield, either, with seniors Maria Caro and Taylor Luke. Junior Anna Tichy leads the team in scoring from the midfield as well.

Erica Perrine possibly had her best performance of the season in the Group IV semifinal, earning her 1 4th shutout this season and 37th career and stopping a penalty stroke with the game still scoreless. Scouting Eastern Regional How they got here: The vikings defeated Absegami 11-1 In the South Group IV quarterfinals, Washington Township 4-2 in the semifinals and Shawnee in the final 4-0. They defeated Rancocas Valley 7-0 in the Group IV semifinal. Scouting the Vikings: The only question regarding the state power vikings is which side of the field are they better on: offense or defense. The Vikings have scored 10 goals or more three times this season.

Junior forward Kelsey Mitchell leads the offense with 36 goals and has 101 In her career. Gabby Kozlowskl and her 23 scores forms a formidable scoring duo. Keeper Alana Barry, only a freshman, has 18 shutouts. Junior Melanie Dawson controls the defense in front of her. The vikings have not lost since Sept.

27, a stretch of 17 games. That loss came to Wyoming Seminary of Pennsylvania, considered one of the best teams in the country. The Vikings will look for their fourth straight state title against the Panthers Mww NJSIAA FOOTBALL SCORES GROUP IV 4 North 1 Livingston 30, Clifton 12 -Montclair 13, Passaic Tech 6 "Hackensack 26, West Orange 20 "Bloomfield at Ridgewood, ppd. I North 2 Ridge MJnion 15, Elizabeth 7 Cent. 39, Watchung Hills 7 tPiscataway 38, Plainfield 0 3 Central Sayreville 27, Colts Neck 21 liBrick Memorial 10, North Brunswick 7 "South Brunswick 21, Pennsauken 12 -Middletown N.

at W.W.-P ppd. I South Cherokee 34, Egg Harbor 18 Mainland 42, Eastern 14 Southern 20, Toms River North 9 Washington 28, Williamstown 24 I- GROUP III 3 North 1 Lakeland 7, Ramapo 0 'Wayne Hills 44, West Milfd 8 Pascack Valley 38, Paramus 14 Shawnee 42, Timber Creek 18 Triton 28, Brick Township 7 GROUP II North 1 Ramsey 7, Ridgefield Park 6 River Dell 36, Englewood 0 West Essex14, LodMO Jefferson 35, Lenape Valley 7 North 2 Summit 16, Hanover Park 6 Caldwell 42, Lincoln 26 Gov. Livingston 14, Hackettstown 7 Central Delran 42, Raritan 0 A.L Johnson 35, Somerville 7 Pt. Pleasant Boro 41, Burlington T. 19 Delaware Valley at Manasquan, ppd.

South Buena 29, Brldgeton 7 Haddonfield 52, Camden Wilson 13 GROUP I North 1 Hasbrouck Hts. 19, Pompton Lks. 0 Mountain Lakes 57, Kinnelon 7 Glen Rock 20, Wellington 3 Park Ridge 17, Westwood 14.