Stevens volleyball picking up steam

EDISON- After picking up a pair of wins last week to improve to 8-2 on the year, the J.P. Stevens High School girls volleyball team will look to continue its winning ways when it kicks off this week's action against division foe South Plainfield.

The Hawks certainly had their hands full in last week's meeting with Bishop Ahr. While Stevens needed just two games to win the match, nothing came easy.

"That was a very tough match for us," Stevens head coach Patty Savulich said. "We traded point for point, and it could have easily swung either way."

Stevens survived the grudge match with wins of 27-25 and 28-26. The team closed the week with another 2-0 win. This time it was Edison taking the loss, by scores of 25-16 and 25-19. Leah Ferrante paced the Hawks with four aces and 15 points while teammate Maggie Kowalska recorded 10 kills.

"Maggie has been outstanding," Savulich said. "She played a lot of volleyball in the offseason and it has carried over into the fall season. She's averaging right around 10 kills a game."

Ferrante, a team leader in digs, has given the team excellent play from the libero position.

With the team's two losses coming at the hands of Old Bridge and East Brunswick, the Hawks are eagerly awaiting the second half of the season and the approaching Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament.

"I think it is going to be interesting to see how things play out in the GMC Tournament," Savulich said. "I think we can play both Old Bridge and East Brunswick competitively the second time around."

The Hawks were plagued by too many service errors in the late stages of the East Brunswick match and were just plain off against Old Bridge.

"I hope Old Bridge will see a different team next time," Savulich said. "I think we're still getting better defensively and we're challenging people offensively."

With players like Daria Pazdzior coming into her own as of late, the Hawks appear ready to make a run in the county tournament.

"Daria did a really nice job in our win over Bishop Ahr," Savulich said. "She took some of the pressure off Maggie with her solid performance."

The team is looking to solidify the rhythm between right-side hitter Amy Ponticello and setter Bella Milstein in order to beef up its offensive threat.

"Bella has quick feet and good hands," Savulich said. "She runs down a lot of balls and she's been making good decisions."

Junior Akeisha Punch and senior Lauren Fellner have been doing a nice job occupying the middle of the court.

"Each has her strengths and they share time depending on what we need at a given time," Savulich said. "We also have a number of girls that can give us valuable minutes. Players like Suzy Maio, Jen Sun, Tori Ferrante, Lilian Tso, Chesca Beltran, Catherine Listash and Cassie Doherty are all very talented. Sophia Butterman can give us solid play in the middle and has a powerful serve."

Fortunately, team chemistry is no problem. In fact, Savulich credits it with much of this year's success.

"What this team has is camaraderie," Savulich said. "They like each other off the court, and that makes it easy to work with them on the court. They're looking for the challenge the GMC Tournament will bring."

- Shawn Layton