The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 36

Im. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2001 THE RECORD S-7 ALL-NORTH JERSEY GIRLS VOLLEYBALL JUST PERFECT! r- What a season for Demarest By MATT SULLIVAN SPECIAL TO THE RECORD Beth Powell was looking for answers when there were no questions -at least not from anybody but her. Unquestionably, the Northern Valley at Demarest girls volleyball team dominated the Bergen County volleyball scene this season, posting a mark of 26-0 en route to defending both its County and Group 3 State titles. The Lady Norsemen were expected to be a force, but what emerged instead was a tour de force, a team that Final Top 15 1. Northern Valley Demarest (26-0) Simply untouchable, lost two games all season.

2. Northern ValleyOld Tappen (17-5) Gave Demarest its toughest challenge in County final. 3. Ramapo (18-6) Lost four matches to Demarest, and to no one else in Bergen. 4.

Cresskill (19-2) One-two punch of Catherine Durakis and Tiffany Phoenix overpowering. 5. Paramus (22-3) Led by Lora Yankauskas, one of the best finishers in state history. 6. Secaucus (27-0) Captured seventh consecutive Group 1 State title.

7. Hawthorne (31-0) Repeated as Group 2 State and Passaic County champs. 8. Lakeland (23-1) Senior-laden team gave Hawthorne a run in Passaic County finals. 9.

Holy Angels (18-3) Won league for first time, advanced further in County and States than ever. 10. Paramus Catholic (16-5) Tied for second in league despite return of only one starter. 11. Immaculate Heart (16-6) -Rookie coach Brielle Boedart returns to alma mater and raises bar.

12. Bogota (20-6) Strong defensively, scrappy and fiery trademark Bogota style. 13. Midland Park (17-5) -Emerged as a Group 2 force, even after injury to top player Rachel Moquete. 14.

River Dell (18-4) Won league title at 1 7-1 for fifth straight season. 15. Tenafly (15-10) -Jeff Koehler's upstarts enjoy breakthrough season. TEAM OF THE YEAR NVDEMAREST 0 will go down in the annals as one of the best ever assembled in these parts. The turning point may have come when the 13th-year coach caught herself tinkering with what already bordered on perfection.

"Every single game I was trying to figure out how to win until it hit me we hadn't lost yet," Northern Valley at Demarest players celebrating after one of their 26 wins during an unforgettable season. MEL EVANSSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Jsaid Powell. "A couple of times I had the girls in a new rotation the practice before a game and when I showed up the next day, I told them to forget it and just go back to the old way. They just laughed and did what I asked." Laughs in practice were common, but come game time, the Norsewomen were a collective portrait of intensity, going about their business matter-of-factly and saving the smiles for after the match. "We never took a single win for granted all year," said Powell, whose team was extended to three games only by North Rockland and Union Catholic.

"We focused on how to win rather than ever thinking we were going to win because we were better than our opponent "Our goals were the league, County and State titles, and each time we accomplished one of them we put it aside because of our other goals." While Jessica Fazekas' resounding kills made her Demarest's high-profile player, there were plenty key contributors. Sophomore Maribeth Martens and senior Kara Scimeca ended their share of volleys as well, as did juniors Kelly Fazekas and Lisa Pucurs. Although it's difficult to imagine, setter Daina Pucurs, a sophomore, will mature into an even better player, one likely to pass by any assist record in her path. When opposing coaches left the court, however, it was Demarest's ability to keep the ball off the floor that impressed them most Demarest's most underrated player might have been junior Coleen Bachmann, all 5 feet 3 of her, standing plenty tall in the back row against whatever opponents threw in her direction. Bachmann will have to take on a larger role next year, as Kim Marsich and Jean Kim will graduate.

In the end it was a dream season from a unit Powell referred to as a "coach's dream." "This team," she said after the County final, "was going places with or without me." Powell says she learns something new every year she's coached. Lessons from this season, then, must have been worth a master's degree. "I never had a team go unbeaten before, and the longer you go undefeated, the more nerve-racking it gets," she said. "The team believed in itself and believed me that they could make this happen. They did what they did -I was just along for the ride." Her 1996 team also served, spiked and digged its way to a triple crown, capturing the league, County and State titles, but never before had she seen a collection of players fit together like the pieces of a puzzle.

"This team simply didn't work without any one of our 10 players -whether it was the contributions off the bench or how competitively we went at it in practice every day. This was a true team." The records and the titles stand as irrefutable evidence. "I'll bet we were a fun team to watch. I don't really get to watch like a spectator," she said. ALL-BERGEN COUNTY ALL-LEAGUE NNJIL DIVISION A I -S vrtSt I- FIRST TEAM Luz F.

Alvarez, Hackansack Danielle Can, Hackensack FjeOphod.BloomWd Lisa Fischman, Btoomfield Ana Castro, Btoomfiad Kim Ashton, Clifton Maggie Bialek, Clifton Natalie VaWvia, Kennedy Essence Carson, Eastside Raquel Plcherdo, Passaic SECOND TEAM TanHka Owens, Hackensack Sonia Perez, Hackensack Katie Bakarich, Clifton Marta Yacykewych, Clifton Kate Rusin, Clifton Veronica Rodriguez, Kennedy Dana Sefttto, Hackensack Came Chuck, Btoomfield Tracy Leone, Btoomfield AlishaHio.Bloomfield HONORABLE MENTION Btoomfield; Alely Rodriguez, Kennedy; Adhana Macias, Hackensack; Dhanna Jesus, Eastside; Michelle Fernandez, Passaic. NNJIL DIVISION KELLY LUDWIG BLAIR SNYDER LINDSAY WATSON RACHEL MOQUETTE FIRST TEAM JESSICA FAZEKAS, NVDemarest, Senior Game-breaking hitter with soft hands, focus and intensity. JOCELYN GREENWALO, Old Tappan, Junior Seems to get to any ball, always provides a quality set, great agility and vision. JULIE LAURO, Ramapo, Senior Most powerful hitter on a power team, improved upon last year's All-League selection. DAINA PUCURS, NVDemarest, Dominant team's unsung hero, improved upon last year's All-League selection.

KELLY LUDWIG, Ramapo.Junior Multi-faceted player who excelled as a blocker, hitter and passer. BLAIR SNYDER, Old Tappan. Junior- Moved up from last year's All-League selection, improved as season progressed. LORA YANKAUSKAS, Paramus, Junior Took team under her wing, shattered state mark for career kills. LINDSAY WATSON, Holy Angels, Senior Key to best season in team's history, leader in kills and blocks.

CATHERINE DURAKIS, Cresskill, Junior -Improved on last year's 2nd team All-County, best yet to come. RACHEL MOQUETE, Midland Park, Soph. Made indelible mark as a sophomore, helped team play with bigger opponents. SECOND TEAM Shannon Spafford, NVOld Tappan, Soph Rachel Bello, Ramapo, Junior Maribeth Martens, NVDemarest, Sophomore Jeannette Breen, Paramus Catholic, Senior Rachel Andriottis, Paramus, Senior Ashley Morrone, Paramus Catholic, Junior Tiffany Phoenix, Cresskill, Sophomore Jennifer Barthelemy, Bogota, Senior Kaitlin Bergen, Bogota, Senior Elizabeth Aughey, River Dell, Senior THIRD TEAM Jackie DeMais, Pascack Valley, Sophomore Jen Cosco, Pascack Hills, Senior Jessica Zeteski, IHA, Senior Alice Buttery, Ridgewood, Senior Liz Moscaritolo, New Milford, Junior Christina Sobiloff, Cresskill, Junior Jennifer Croonquist, Bogota, Senior Celine Lee, North Arlington, Senior Debbie Faber, Midland Park, Senior Brittany Kohlenberg, Dumont, Junior Marissa Demedeiros, Dumont SECOND TEAM Joanna Sountrs, Fort Lee KamWa Sequia, Ctiftside Park Lindsay Williams, Westwood Celine Papal, Rutherford Dana Rushnock, Dumont Lindsay Decker, Dumont Carol Ko, Tenafly Kim White, Ridgefield Park Erin Curatola, Rfver Del Katie Rohner, River Del HONORABLE MENTION Becky Drake, Katelyn Rasmussen, Westwood: Rose Espital, Andrea Castano, Englewood; Ashleigh Di-Tonto, Jeralyn Gamer, Rutherford; Jessica Hatton, Heather Hock, Ridgefield Park; Kayta Hausler, Okja Rumyantseva, Fort Lee; Stephanie Sereno, Mami Heary, Nana Marrakchi, Dumont; Amanda Wilson, Irada Baeza, Queen of Peace; Kelly Daroc-ka, Vivian Ponseca, Cliffskie Park; Catherine Perasso, Lisa Wcoteey, Tenafly. BCSL NATIONAL FIRST TEAM Celine Lee.

North Arlington Justine Muzones, Secaucus Katy Canran, Secaucus Anson Manning, North Arlington Lindsey Flora, Secaucus Jessica Norton, Wallington Melissa Fearon. Lyndhurst Knsteen Oppido, W-RAHH Faith Garb, North Arlington Heather Aciz, Secaucus SECOND TEAM Bridget Spanarkel, St Mary's April Conigho, W-RHH Jessica Lee, Wallington Melissa Baranowski, Lyndhurst Karma Espaiat, Weehawken Ashley Flora, Secaucus Bridget Rajkowski, Becton Stephanie Worth, North Arlington Marrela Naon, Harrison NaafaSenMarth. W-RHH HONORABLE MENTION Tracy Gregono, Secaucus; Marilyn Gentile, Wcod-RiceHasbrouck Heights; FJsa Herrera, Harrison; Megan Swody. St Mary's; Cindy Martial, Weehawken; Mansa Fusco, Becton; Janet Hansen, Lyndhurst; Helen Justi. North Arlington; Carty BCSL OLYMPIC FIRST TEAM Catheme Durakis, Cresskl Tiffany Phoemx, Cresski Kaitlri Bergen, Bogota Jennifer Bartheremy, Bogota Uz Moscantoto.

New MDtord Cnstna Sobiloff. Cresskil Dava Sorrvnerrneyer, Bergen Tech Jennifer Croonquist, Bogota Kely Stncher. Emerson Kate rlardi, Leona Coacn of the Year Lain Fisher, SECOND TEAM Knsten Mler, Bergen Tech LndseyKeton. Cresskl Afteon Mueler, Emerson Leah Mcnoadon, Emerson Jessica Hondncks, Bogota Vtvian Abreu, ftogefield Megan Pdak, New Mdford Meassa Raggj, Cresski Jeamrne Huynh, Paksades Park Beth Beun. Park Ridge HONORABLE MENTION Rita Neves, Lsona: Diama Lon-doro.

Paksades Park; Laurie Rern-auer. New Maford; Lauren Simmen, Emerson: DesereOtregon, Bogota: Venessa Times, rkdgenekt; Enka Cabri. Cresski; Sara Marnmey, Park Adger, Ji Damee, Bergen Tech Vanessa Favale, Northern Highlands Jen Cosco, Pascack Hits Betsy Berry, Mahwah Elena lannucd, Indian HMs Tracy lacoveKi. Ramsey SECOND TEAM Brittany Baldwin, Pascack Valley Sophie Lazarus, Pascack Valley Lb Torre, Northern Highlands Gna DeiBovi. Pascack Hits Monica Sella, Pascack Hills Jen Tormon, Mahwah Lindsay Lovecchio.

Indian Hills Melanie Lynch, Ramsey HONORABLE MENTION Rachel Lutz, Indian Hills; Heather BoHerman, Mahwah; Kelly McGuire, Northern Highlands; Anna Manning, Pascack Hills; Sara Gregory, Pascack VaUey; Lisa Marcotuli, Ramsey. B-PSL KING FIRST TEAM Lena Maynard, FJmwood Park Desires Pangtoan, FJmwood Park Carolyn Garrone, Garfield Whitney Verdun, Hawthorne Amy Flakar, Hawthorne Tara Tomasini, Hawthorne Veronica Quintero, Manchester Robyn Seidel, Manchester Jasmiry Nunez, Passac Tech Asia Livingston, Passaic Tech SECOND TEAM Angelina Elliott, FJmwood Park Erica Jimeno, FJmwood Park Susan Turan, Garfield Andrea Gese, Glen Rock Amanda Dougherty, Hawthorne Penan Doko, Hawthorne Seonead Milbum, Manchester Comne Harris, Passaic Tech Sade Major, Passaic Tech Teela Gainer. Passaic Tech HONORABLE MENTION Agnes Kotwica, Garfield; Denise PangiUnan, Elmwood Park; Carolyn Paul, Glen Rock; Vedrana Tesc, Manchester; Elizabeth Caceres, Passaic Tech; Heather Cornea, Hawthorne. B-PSL CARPENTER FIRST TEAM Jackie Hoogstra, Eastern Christian Tara Leegwater, Eastern Chnstian Ji Haydnger, Midland Park Rachel Moquette, Midland Park Debbie Faber, Midland Park Berry Brennan, Midland Park Alexandra Cabarcas, Paterson Cath. Nadia Reinoso, Paterson Cathotc Jema Reyngoudt, Sacote Brook CherSlaqle.Waidwck SECOND TEAM Heather Ydo, Eastern Christian Akqa Ciastoch.

rnm. Ccncepoon Kety Salamak. rnm. Conception Mehete Menetto, Midland Park Neole Shortway, Midland Park Darromy Bolano, Paterson Cathofc Kristy Homeack. Saddte Brook Srkrana ParrS.

Saddle Brook Megan Schwnd, Warwick Noerle Jaeger. Waktwick HONORABLE MENTION Mendeth Angione, Eastern Christian; Joyce Rrsatvato, Immaculate Conception; Megan Bemnger, Midland Parte Martha Beto. Paterson Catholc; Alson Malyso. SadrJe Brook; Jactae Pahk. Waldwick.

BCSL AMERICAN FIRST TEAM FJizabeth Aughey. Ftver Dei Bmtany Kotifcerger. Dumont DancaMier. Rutherford Catherine Lar. Rwer Del Neds Cerrngka.

Ftdgefield Park AssaZrto. Westwood Jessca Mazurkiewcz. Cu of Peace Taka Sna, Tenafty KetyHorton. Fort Lee Jessica McKenna. Rurierford Karen Atarque, ROgefiekl Park ALL-PASSAIC COUNTY FIRST TEAM Lora Yankauskas, Paramus Rachel Andnotis, Paramus Kaitlin Rinaldi, Paramus Samantha Wejnert, Paramus Gabriela Almagro, Betevie Lauren Shears, Montctar Lucille Viaplana, Barringer CartlfiLayden.

Nutley Alice Buttery, Ridgewood Devi) Wardel, Ridgewood SECOND TEAM Page Woodruff. Ridgewood Naoko Hasrumoto, Ridgewood Ashley Cagar, Ridgewood Caroline Dunwcrth, Montdair Juta Camacho, Barringer Veronica LaPorte, Bamnger Carty Weber, NuOey Leah Mendoza, Belleville Sara Asher, Paramus Christina Joseph, Paramus HONORABLE MENTION Dene Akiska, Teanedc Berbadette Ybale, Belleville; Amaru Taylor. Montdair Gumary Bayron, Barringer; Erica Sparaco, NuUey; Desires Qun-tana, Ridgewood; Jenny Kasyan, Paramus NNJIL DIVISION FIRST TEAM Lindsay Watson, Holy Angels Jeannette Breen, Paramus Cathofc Jessca Zetelski, Immaculate Heart Ashley Marrone, Paramus Cathotc Erin Ranft Paramus Cathode Srwla Cannon, Immaculate Heart Ji dementi, Immaculate Heart ErikaSai. Holy Angels Nicole Simons. Holy Angels Knsten Oeste, Holy Angels SECOND TEAM RanaMady, Holy Angels LietaMady.

Holy Angels Megan Pegaro, Paramus Catholic Annette Mquel, Immaculate Heart Lauie Kasak. Immaculate Heart Kara Sprague. Immaculate Heart Maureen Cannon, Immaculate Heart Nicole Johnson, Paramus Cathokc Daraela Mchefe. knmacuBle Heart HONORABLE MENTION Kety Gknr. Paramus Cathofcr.

Alyssa Qete, knmaculale Heart NBIL DIVISION 1 ''I I KIM ASHTON I i i. I 8 1 AMY FLAKER ESSENCE CARSON Hawthorne SECOND TEAM Maggie Bialek, Clifton, Freshman Tara Leegwater, East. Christ, Jr. Tara Tomasini, Hawthorne, Senior Natalie Maticka, Lakeland, Senior Robyn Siedel, Manchester, Senior Jasmiry Nunez, Passaic Tech, Sr, Tory DeBlock, Passaic Valley, Sr. Nadia Reinoso, Paterson Sr.

Stephanie Schadel, Wayne Hills, Jr. Deirdre Dempsey, Wayne Valley, Jr. Honorable mention Marta Yacykewych, Clifton, Senior; Katie Bakarich, Clifton, Sophomore; Maria Galiano, DePaul, Junior; Maya Maguillanes, DePaul, Junior, Jackie Hoogstra, Eastern Christian, Junior, Merideth Angione, Eastern Christian, Junior, Dhanna DeJesus, Eastside, Sophomore; Noefre Grullon, East-side, Junior, Amanda Dougherty, Hawthorne, Junior; Penan Doko, Hawthorne, Junior; Lindsay Hammond, Hawthorne Christian, Junior; Mtchele Ibach, Hawthorne Christian, Junior, Alely Rodriguez, Kennedy, Senior, Kerri Lindenthaler, Lakeland, Senior, Tanya Marion, Lakeland, Sophomore; Seonead Milbum, Manchester, Senior, Veronica Quint era, Manchester, Senior; Teela Gamer, Passaic Tech, Sophomore; Sade Major, Passaic Tech, Sorjhomore; Michele Coral, Passaic Valley, Junior, Christine Cook, Passaic Valley, Junior; Dairomy Bctenco, Paterson Catholic; Krysta) Buffatoe, Paterson Catholic, Senior, Joanna Dziobek, Wayne Hills, Senior, Kate Casalotti, Wayne Hills, Senior, Lara Augulis, Wayne Valley, Junior, Allyson Lynch, Wayne Valley, Senior KIM ASHTON, Clifton, Junior Recorded over 200 kills, and provided on- and off-court leadership. ESSENCE CARSON, Eastside, Sophomore Averaged 20 kills and four blocks per match. Keyed team's turnaround season.

AMY FLAKER, Hawthorne, Senior Repeats last year's All-County versatile, poised and dedicated. WHITNEY VERDUIN, Hawthorne, of state's top ball-strikers, big-Igame, big-time performer. NATALIE VAUDV1A, Kennedy, Sophomore All-around talent with jcannon-like serve that led to 127 aces. STEPHANIE ROBERTS, Lakeland, Senior One of county's top servers, averaging three aces per game. ASIA LIVINGSTON, Passaic Tech, Junior- Led team in kills (240) and (44); complete player, covers Iwhole court LAUREN VEITH, Lakeland, Senior -A leader and a powerful hitter who moved up from Second Team last year.

CORTNEY DELOTTO, Passaic Valley, Junior Excels at serving, killing arid blocking with tremendous drive to improve. ALEXANDRA CABARCAS, Pater-son Catholic, Junior A big-game player who had 600 sets and was second on team in blocks and third in kili3 Coach of the Year, Andrea Marino, ALL-BERGEN TENNIS FIRST TEAM Jute Lauro. Ramapo KeiyLudwig. Ramapo Rachel Beta. Ramapo Joceryn Greenwatt, NVOd Tepoan Bar Snyder, NVOd Tappan Shannon Spaftont NVCM Tappan Manbeth Martens, NVDemarest Dana Pucurs.

NVDemarest Jessca Fazekas, NVOemarest SECOND TEAM Mereoth Rozema. Far Lawn Mcheee Senano. Bsrgenfield Knswn Cuny. Ramapo Jen Semen, Ramapo Nccte Bernardo. NVOkf Tappan Chnstne MassaroNVOd Tappen Kan Scmeca.

NVDemarest CoteanBecnmariNVDerrweel STEPHANIE ROBERTS ASIA LIVINGSTON NATALIE VALDMA 1 -i 1 Cam Jsnrwigs. BergsnMrl: Lea Pucurs. Northern Vateyrtlemarest: Rachel brntm. Far Lawn: Vtvwi Nouman. Northern VatewOd Tap-parr.

Launn Roberts, Ramapo: Kali CasacBX Wayne Has. NEW. DrVTSION 2 FIRST TEAM (. JecV-DeMaaPsecariVatey Kjta Sorapotce. Pascack Vatev Bryerra Comv Pascack Vatsy Photos of the AJI-Bergen County ooubtes team of Alyssa Rosenbkrth, left, and Kristin Robbins.

hgrtt, of Glen-flock were omitted from Wednesdas edtbons. 1 LAUREN VIETH CORTNEY DELOTTO ALEXATJDRACASARCAS.