Caldwell Girls Volleyball Aims for Three-Peat

The feel is perhaps somewhat different, but the expectations have remained the same for the Caldwell High girls volleyball team.

A team that has dominated over the past decade, capturing five state championships since 2002, will have several new starters and a new coach this season.

Don Cooper, who was head coach at North Arlington High School for 27 years, takes over for Jeff and Scott Stiefbold, whose contracts were not renewed after nearly 25 years with the program.

"I think our main goal is to have a good team and a good season," said Cooper, who guided North Arlington to one state championship and three state finals. 

"Our goal so far is to have good chemistry. I know this is a talented group and I am impressed with their play."

The thought of a new coaching staff, which also includes assistant Rachel McCarthy, was a bit scary at first for some of the Chiefs.

"We were worried," senior Paige Johnson said. "The new coach was willing to adapt to some of our things. He's very nice and open to things."

There are immediately high expectations for Cooper and the Chiefs, who have won back-to-back state, league and Essex County titles.

Caldwell, which finished 30-3 last season, graduated two of its top players in Megan Knott and setter Gabby Migliore. Knott finished fifth all-time in the state with 1,182 career kills.

Migliore collected 785 assists last season and totaled 1,036 for her career, becoming the fifth Caldwell player to eclipse 1,000. 

However, the Chiefs return 6-foot-5 Temple-bound senior Kelly McCaddin, who finished last season with 347 kills on a .521 hitting percentage and was second on the team with 191 service points and 49 aces.

"She's a good all-around player," Cooper said. "She can block, hit and pass."

The other top player returning is Johnson, who is also the catcher on Caldwell's softball team.

"Her best sport is softball, but she's good at volleyball," Cooper said. "She's a natural hitter and blocker in the front row."

Seniors Melis Taskoy, who Cooper called a quality defender, and Lilly Thomann, who brings experience, will also be counted upon. Junior Alyson Papasidero will spearhead the Chiefs' defense as the team's libero.

"It's extremely important," Cooper said about the libero. "I find that the position is very important."

Juniors Jesse Sengstancke and Laura Stiefbold, daughter of the former head coach, have battled through the preseason for the setter's position.

"Our setter is not quite there, but getting better," Cooper said

But the coach has been impressed with junior strong side hitter Brittany Wolf.

"She's been a real pleasant surprise this year," Cooper said. "She has talent."

Sophomore middle hitter Ijeoma Ikpe is a newcomer who has come on strong during the preseason.

"I can't believe the skills she has," Cooper said. "She's a tremendous talent."

While Cooper has evaluated his new team over the last several weeks of the preseason, his players have been learning about him as well.

"I think at first everybody was nervous and did not know what to expect," McCaddin said. "I think everybody is warming up compared to the first time that we came back."

After losing last year to just Mahwah and twice to Immaculate Heart Academy, the eventual Tournament of Champions winner, Caldwell is once again seeking to sweep the Super Essex Conference, Essex County Tournament and Group championships this fall.

"Yes, we always want to go pretty far," Johnson said. "All of the teams are out to get us. We will battle anything that is brought our way."

Caldwell will open the season at home in a quad match against Mount St. Dominic, Verona and Cedar Grove on Sept. 11, before hosting Montclair on Sept. 13 and Livingston on Sept. 16.

"We had a great team last year," McCaddin said, "and we're trying to live up to the hype."

(Games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

Sept. 11    Quad, Mt. St. Dominic, Verona and Cedar Grove
Sept. 13    Montclair
Sept. 14    at Montclair Kimberly
Sept. 16    Livingston
Sept. 20    Eastside Newark
Sept. 22    at Bloomfield
Sept. 23    Science Park
Sept. 25    at Bloomfield Tournament, 9 a.m.
Sept. 27    at Ridge, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 29    at Chatham
Oct.2          at Sideout 6 Tournament, Hackettstown, 9 a.m.
Oct. 4         at University
Oct. 6         at Montclair
Oct. 9         ECT Quarters, TBA
Oct. 11        Montclair Kimberly
Oct. 13       at Livingston
Oct. 16       ECT Semis, TBA
Oct. 18       at East Side Newark
Oct. 20      Bloomfield
Oct. 23      ECT Finals, TBA
Oct. 25       at Science Park
Oct. 27       at Mount Olive, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 29       at Ramapo