Nutley HS girls’ volleyball team enjoys impressive start to season

NUTLEY, NJ – The Nutley High School girls’ varsity volleyball team, under first-year head coach and NHS alum Jenna Dwyer, has enjoyed an impressive start to the season.

The Lady Raiders started the season 4-0, beating Caldwell, Columbia, Belleville and Golda Och Academy. The victory over rival Belleville particularly was thrilling. After losing the first set, 25-23, the Raiders won the second set, 25-16. That forced a deciding third set, which the Raiders won, 28-26. NHS handed Belleville its first loss of the season. Belleville was 6-0 entering the match.

“Melanie Chasmar did a great job service with 15 service points throughout the three sets,” Dwyer about the win over Belleville. “Sara McEnery and Jessica Robinson had about 10 kills each and Sara added 10 digs. It’s hard to come back from losing the first set, but the girls really rallied together to win the next two sets.”

NHS then lost to Montclair in three sets, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, Sept. 22, to move to a 4-1 record.

“Our team lost our first game against Montclair last night in three sets, but we are hoping to use it as a learning experience as we move forward in our season,” said Dwyer a day after the loss. “The girls played a great game, but Montclair was a tough team to beat.”

Upcoming matches

Sept. 24, at Montclair Kimberley Academy, 4 p.m.

Sept. 27, Millburn, time TBA

Sept. 29, at Cedar Grove, 4 p.m.

Sept. 30, West Orange, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3, at Clifton, 4 p.m.

Oct. 4, Columbia, 4 p.m.

Oct. 6, at Golda Och Academy, 4 p.m.

Oct. 7, at Belleville, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10, Livingston, 4 p.m.

Oct. 13, Montclair, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18, at Millburn, 5:30 p.m.