Bloomfield HS boys’ volleyball team advances to ECT championship, moves to 14-0

BLOOMFIELD – The third-seeded Bloomfield High School boys’ varsity volleyball team defeated second-seeded North 13th Street Tech, 25-21, 25-17, in the semifinals of the Essex County Tournament on Saturday, April 30, to remain unbeaten this season with a 14-0 record. It was the first meeting between the two Super Essex Conference-American Division teams this season.

The Bengals will face top-seeded Livingston in the championship on Friday, May 6, at Bloomfield High School at 7 p.m. in a matchup of SEC-American Division foes. Bloomfield High School was designated as the site of the championship prior to the start of the tournament.

Khalil Naouai had nine kills, five digs, four blocks and one assist; Jose Bruno-Maldonado had nine assists, two digs and one block and Andy Murillo had six assists, two digs and one block to lead the Bengals in the semifinals. Noel Shaji had seven kills, three digs and one assist; Zac Pekar had four digs; Al-Samad Henderson had four kills and four blocks; Kyle Barrow posted five assists, two kills, two digs and one block; Romello Fairclouth had four blocks and one kill and Marc Mathieu added two blocks and one kill for the Bengals.

North 13th Street Tech fell to 14-3. Livingston defeated Millburn, 25-20, 25-23, in the other semifinal to move to 9-7.

The Bengals defeated Livingston, 25-23, 25-21, April 15, at home in a divisional match.