The skills displayed on the gym floor were huge and so was the cheering from the crowd in the packed VHS gym. And when all the shouting and power volleys were over, Verona volleyball had defeated Secaucus 25-18 and a nail biting 27-25 in the semifinal round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 1 NJSIAA Tournament on Friday.
Verona came into the tournament as the #1 seed and had easily defeated its previous opponents, Whippany Park and Hanover Park. But Secaucus was the #4 seed this year, with a reputation as a tough competitor.
Once again, Verona’s senior powerhouses worked their magic. Cara DeMars led the team in service points with nine, followed by Katie Meehan with six and Marley Kramer and Kendra Santos with four apiece. Santos dominated at the net with 14 kills, raising her total for just two years of varsity play to 300.
And if Friday’s game was loud, the final promises to be even louder. Verona will face #2 seed Cedar Grove, which turned back a serious challenge from a bracket-busting Becton team on Friday. Verona has defeated Cedar Grove twice this season–once in regular play and once in the Essex County Tournament–but nothing is ever a given.
The N2G1 finals will be played Monday, November 6, at VHS at 4:30 p.m.
Photos copyright Mike Perry. Used by permission.
