Comeback Win Propels Hillsborough Into Final

The No. 1-seeded Hillsborough High boys volleyball team beat the visiting fourth-seeded Piscataway 2-1 Wednesday by game scores of 23-25, 25-21 and 25-16 in the NJSIAA Central Jersey state tournament semifinals. The Raiders improve to 30-3 and will face second-seeded St. Joseph, of Metuchen, in Friday's championship at 4:30 p.m.

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Piscataway (27-4)

25

21

16

Hillsborough (30-3)

23

25

25

IN SHORT

A slow start nearly doomed the Raiders, who dropped the first game and fell behind 15-10 in the second. But Hillsborough responded with a 15-6 run to close Game 2 to force a decisive game. The Raiders then rolled, bolting to a 12-2 advantage en route to a berth in Friday's title game.

In Game 1 and halfway through Game 2, the visiting Chiefs were outplaying the Raiders at the net, blocking Raider kills and getting their own down in bounds for points.  

The Raiders were able to build an early 6-3 lead in Game 1 only to see the Chiefs score five straight points to take an 8-6 lead. The Raiders were able to get back to even at 14-all and again at 21-all, but were unable to pull out the first game, losing 25-23.

“We didn’t really play our best in the first game, maybe the guys were a little bit excited," coach Todd Sudol said. "We also made some adjustments after that game to combat how they were playing us at the net."

The second game started just like the first with the Raiders getting the early lead, this time 7-4, only to see the Chiefs run off eight-straight points to take the lead 12-7.  Coming out of a Raider timeout, the teams traded the next six points and the Raiders season was starting to look like it was coming to an end trailing, 15-10. However, the Raiders went on a 15-6 run to close out the second game, 25-21.

RAIDERS OF THE GAME

The defensive unit led by sophomore Tim Erdman’s 12 digs,  junior Josh Himelfarb’s 7 digs, and senior Brian Campanale’s 6 digs.

“Our offense only exists because of the digs. They get Frankie [senior setter Frank Batula] the ball so he can set up our hitters."—Coach Todd Sudol

OTHER KEY PERFORMANCES

Frank Batula—The senior setter had 42 assists to go along with his team leading 8 blocks, 6 of which came during the Raiders run in the second and third games. He also had 5 aces, 2 digs and 2 kills.

Travis Haynes—Led the Raiders with 17 kills. He also had 2 aces, 4 blocks, 6 digs and an assist.

Michael Warn—Was second to Haynes with 12 kills. He also had a block, 6 digs, and an assist.

Ed Jedziniak—Was second to Batula with 7 blocks. Also had 3 aces, 2 digs, an assist, and 6 kills.

THEY SAID IT

“The guys are fighters, led by six seniors. The situation being down didn’t faze them at all. They were able to ignore the scoreboard and keep their composure.” – Coach Todd Sudol

UP NEXT – No. 2 seed St. Joseph Metuchen in the final of the Central Jersey bracket Friday at 4:30 p.m.

PLAYER STATS

Player

Aces

Blocks

Digs

Assists

Kills

Frank Batula

5

8

2

42

2

Travis Haynes

2

4

6

1

17

Mike Warn

0

1

6

1

12

Ed Jedziniak

3

7

2

1

6

Greg Timko

0

0

5

0

3

Dan Mitchell

0

5

0

0

6

Chris Amato

0

0

0

0

0

Josh Himelfarb

2

0

7

0

0

Jake Urretia

0

0

0

0

0

Brian Campanale

0

0

6

0

0

Tim Erdman

1

0

12

0

0

Team Totals

13

25

46

45

46