WEST ORANGE, NJ (updated Tuesday Oct. 4, 11:03 a.m.) – Jackie Cruz figured it would take about three years for the program to round into form.
But the second-year head coach has been pleasantly surprised to see that her West Orange High School girls’ varsity volleyball team has been making progress faster than she expected.
In fact, the Mountaineers have achieved strong results. They had a six-match winning streak that was snapped with a tough 25-11, 25-21 loss at Nutley HS on Sept. 30. The next day, they won at Newark Academy, 13-25, 25-13, 25-10, in Livingston to improve to a 12-4 overall record.
WOHS also is atop the Super Essex Conference-Colonial Division at 6-0.
“As a second-year head coach, I have noticed (positive) change,” said Cruz, noting her players like to chant as they break up the huddle. “A lot of coaches that I look up to always tell me to be patient because it takes about three years to develop a program. To be honest, I noticed the change sooner than I thought I would. The girls are understanding not only how to play the game, but to love it. When you have passion for a sport that you play, it shows. I always tell the girls you have to believe every play and every point, even if it’s against you. The moment you get down, you have defeated yourself. Even though volleyball is a team sport, there still are individual aspects, mentality being our biggest issue. The ladies are learning to develop a positive mentality; I always remind them ‘positive vibes.’ ”
WOHS has been sparked by several players.
Junior co-captain Aliya Perkins was leading the team in kills (123) and aces (42) through Sept. 29.
“Aliya’s goal for this season was to pass the amount of kills she had last season; and she definitely has already,” Cruz said. “We are only midway through our season. Aliya’s dedication to the team and passion for the game shows. She has improved tremendously with her mentality.”
Senior Tamyah Sheard has made a huge impact offensively and defensively. “Tamyah has learned to adapt to a position that she was not taught when she first started playing volleyball two years ago,” Cruz said. “Tamyah is our leader in assists with 111. She balances the court out with her height, speed, and mobility.”
Senior co-captain Jahnya Boschulte also is a key addition to the team after transferring from Roselle Catholic, though she had to sit out the first half of the season due to NJSIAA regulations. “Jahnya is a smart, versatile player who has the best visualization of the court,” Cruz said.
Other key players are juniors Cassidy Ferrell, who leads the team in service points, Kena Arthus, Kendal Hoges, who leads the team with blocks, Madison Mitchell, and sophomore Saniyiah Richardson.
The Mountaineers, who benefitted from a productive summer, hope to continuing developing, which will go a long way toward achieving more success this season.
“I believe traveling to Penn State’s summer camp this past summer and joining the Bloomfield Summer League helped us with our confidence and trust in one another,” Cruz said. “Our team is young, and we still have a few areas where we need to develop in, but with belief and confidence, they can go longer than expected.”
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