The Cranford girls volleyball team might not have won back-to-back Group 2 state titles, but the Lady Cougars did show that they are a September state championships staple.
Cranford finished with a 17-8 record, made it to the Group 2 state quarterfinals and was also a runner-up for the Union County title this season.
"This was a great year and showed that we are here to stay after moving up to the top level," said Cranford head coach Lucy Diaz.
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Six of their eight losses came against what were considered to be Top 10 teams in New Jersey.
For Diaz the team’s best-played games and matches came against the likes of Tenafly, Hunterdon Central and Roselle Catholic.
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The Lady Cougars lost 32-30 in the first game of the quarterfinals at Tenafly. Cranford would end up being knocked out of the state playoffs with a 25-21 loss in the second game.
In preparation for the state tournament, Cranford took care of Group 4 powerhouse Hunterdon Central, 25-13 and 25-13. They also avenged a loss earlier in the season by defeating Roselle Catholic in two straight games in the UCT semifinal.
Cranford's season was led by three of their seniors: Meghan Bartsch, Kaitlyn Irwin and Kristen Rupp. They were named to the first team All Mountain Valley Conference and also the first team for the Union County Tournament All Stars.
Bartsch was the leader in the front, excelling again as a setter, but also showing her offensive side this season, finishing second to Rupp on kills with 135.
"She's done a remarkable and outstanding job," said Diaz. "She's started at setter for the last three years. Her senior year she was given more responsibility on the front line. I have to give her so much credit."
Irwin served as the defensive specialist and controlled the defense and the back row. She led the team in digs with 108.
"Kaitlyn did an outstanding job in the back row," said Diaz. "She connected very well with the underclassmen with their defensive responsibilities. She kept everybody focused."
Rupp was a quiet leader who handled the pressure of the games very well. She led the team in kills with 165 and had 111 service points along with 41 digs.
"She was good at keeping her composure," said Diaz. "We just counted on her so much offensively and defensively."
Alex Bizub, who had the third most kills on the team with 98, was named to the second team Union County Tournament all-stars. Both Bizub and Sarah Barry, who was second on the team in assists with 126, garnered second team All Mountain Valley Conference honors.
Diaz is looking for some of the current varsity players to step up and replace the likes of Bartsch, Rupp and Irwin for next season. The junior varsity team finished in the semifinals of the Union County Tournament and also finished with a 15-9 record.
She also can't wait to see what her talented group of sophomores are ready and able to do in 2010.
