At long last, one of the state's top volleyball programs ended its state-title drought when
Northern Valley (Old Tappan) captured its ninth Group 3 girls' volleyball championship — the first since 1992.
It is especially hard to believe when you consider that senior
Aiyana Whitney, a Penn State recruit, is probably the state's top player. She put down 10 kills in an easy championship-match sweep of West Windsor-Plainsboro South, while senior
Anna Kate Miller set 12 assists and dug up eight kill attempts.
"This is incredible. I'm proud of the team," Whitney said afterward. "I'm excited about what else we can do."
THIS WEEK IN VOLLEYBALL* Volleyball Tournament of Champions - Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: This looks a lot like the Bergen County tournament semifinals, with No. 4-seeded
Williamstown (Group 4 champion) crashing the party. Top-seeded Immaculate
Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township) won the Bergen County crown and captured the Non-Public title, but No. 2 Northern Valley (Group 3 titlist), No. 3
Bogota (Group 1) and No. 5
Ramapo (Franklin Lakes) (Group 2) are all capable.
Ramapo and Williamstown will face other in the first round Thursday at Hackensack High School. Semifinals and finals will take place Saturday and Sunday at William Paterson University in Wayne.
THIS WEEK IN SOCCER*
Boys and Girls State Semifinals and Championships:
Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 will stage their semifinals and state
championships, while Non-Public A and B will play their title matches.
