Mount St. Dominic Volleyball Setting Up for the Kill

An experienced group of returning players has the Mount St. Dominic volleyball team primed for another successful season this fall.

The Lions went 11-5 last season in the Super Essex Conference's Liberty Division, finishing second behind West Essex. Mount went 15-11 overall and reached the NJSIAA Non-Public state tournament quarterfinals before losing in straight games to Immaculate Heart Academy, the eventual Tournament of Champions winner.

"We held our own ground against them," said Mount senior Alexandra Morris, who said the Lions became a little intimidated as the match went on.

In addition to Morris, an outside hitter who led the team with 94 kills last season, Mount returns first-team All-SEC players Lexi Miller, a senior setter, and senior outside hitter Christina Giglio. Also back is senior middle hitter Patricia DeFranco.

"All of my four seniors are great leaders," Mount coach Marybeth Olsinski said.

Juniors Sarah Talmadge, a middle hitter, and outside hitter Beatrice Beljour, one of the team's premier servers, will also return to the lineup.

Mount's offense will revolve around Miller, considered one of the top setters in North Jersey. Miller, who has played varsity for three years, recorded 271 assists last season. 

"I have a setter who can set anywhere on the floor and knows where the blockers are," Olsinski said. "She will do amazing things. It's sad to see her as a senior."

Miller is considering colleges that specialize in technology like Lehigh and Florida Institute of Technology as well as a school where she can possibly continue her volleyball career.

"I want to play well and winning will come along with that," Miller said of her final high school season and said she is willing to play anywhere on the court.

"I play for a team in Denville, where I play pretty much at every position."

Giglio, who's also an integral player on Mount's softball team, was the recipient of many Miller sets last year. Giglio recorded 92 kills and also compiled 58 aces.

Giglio said she knows what will be the key ingredient for the Lions to have success this season. "To definitely play as a team," she said. "With that will come winning."

According to Morris, what the team might lack in height the Lions make up for with grit and determination.

"We're not very tall," she said. "We have skills, but we're more of a scrappy team."

An added bonus is the team's camaraderie. "We're friends on and off the court," Morris said. "We know our weaknesses and our strengths."

Mount will likely contend with West Orange for the Liberty Division crown and will face the Mountaineers the first week of the season on Sept. 13. The Lions will open the year at Caldwell, the two-time defending state champions, in a quad-match with Cedar Grove and Verona on Sept. 11.

With plenty of returning players this year, the Lions are aiming to bring home a title.

"We got to do it and make it happen," DeFranco said. "If we win, it will be very big and boost the school's morale."

(Games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

Sept. 11    Quad, Cedar Grove, Verona at Caldwell, TBA   
Sept. 13    West Orange
Sept. 15    at University
Sept. 16    Verona
Sept. 20    at Columbia
Sept. 22    at Newark Vocational
Sept. 23    Belleville
Sept. 25    Livingston Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sept. 27    at West Essex
Sept. 29    Nutley
Oct. 1        Millburn, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 4        Montclair Kimberly Academy
Oct. 6        at Millburn
Oct. 7        Newark Vocational
Oct. 11       at West Orange
Oct. 13      University
Oct. 14      Passaic Valley
Oct. 19      at Verona
Oct. 20     Columbia
Oct. 22      at Science Park
Oct. 25      Dayton
Oct. 27      at Belleville, 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 1       West Essex
Nov. 3       at Nutley