Lady Minutemen Volleyball Ready to Win

LIVINGSTON - The Newark Academy girls volleyball team has made some changes with its rotation.  One game into the season and so far the team is giving it rave reviews.

In fact, it helped the Lady Minutemen win 25-7, 25-10 in two straight games over the Technology Panthers on Friday afternoon at home.

One of the captains, Carly Manger, said she approves of the new rotation that allows all of the players on the floor to set and hit.

"I really like it," said junior Manger, who was a setter last season and first team All Super Essex Conference. "I get to be both a hitter and a setter. There is a lot more moving around."

Newark Academy head coach Carol Spooner said that the new scheme will help players learn more skills.

"We're using more players in different positions," said Spooner.

The Minutemen come into the season after a 13-3 record last year, which tied the team for second with Cedar Grove in the SEC Independence division, only behind Marylawn.

"Our goal is consistency every time that we step on the court," said Spooner, who in Friday's game was without one of her regular varsity players in junior Leila Hariri, who is out with an ankle injury.

Spooner said that the team wants to be more aggressive this season on offense. Against Technology, junior Jacqueline Acierno, who was first team All SEC last season, led the team in four kills. Freshman Caroline Beardsley led the squad in service aces with nine while Acierno contributed eight service aces.

After the match was tied at two in the first game, the Minutemen scored 10 straight points behind some nice serving from Acierno. The closest the Panthers got to Newark Academy was 12 points, 19-7, but the Minutemen scored out for the win.

In the second game, the serving of junior Grace McNeely helped propel Newark Academy to an 8-0 lead before Technology finally scored.

With a kill from sophomore Eliza Huber-Weiss and a dig from Acierno, Newark Academy built a 16-6 lead. Technology might have cut the Minutemen lead to seven, 17-10, but Newark Academy took eight straight points to win the match.

The 2010 Newark Academy squad is young, but has experience. There is only one senior on the team in middle hitter Marie Quintana. 

As for what will be key this season, players have their thoughts. 

"We need teamwork definitely and a lot of communication," said Manger. "If you can pass, you can do anything."

Back from last season's varsity squad are Manger and Acierno along with junior Sanjana Umarale. Sophomore Ahlia Bethea saw some time on the varsity squad as a freshman. Also seeing varsity time this season will be freshman Elizabeth Meijer.

In terms of going after the SEC Independence title, the Minutemen will probably have to go through Marylawn.  Newark Academy takes on the defending Independence champ early on Thursday at home. The Minutemen will travel to the Oranges and take on Marylawn on Oct. 14. Other teams that the Minutemen will have to battle for the divisional title are Cedar Grove and St. Vincent.

Newark Academy 2010 Girls Volleyball Schedule
(Games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

Sept. 13        Arts
Sept. 15        at Weequahic
Sept. 16        Marylawn
Sept. 20       at Newark Central
Sept. 23       Cedar Grove
Sept. 25       Morris Catholic, 1 p.m.
Sept. 28       at St. Vincent
Sept. 30      West Side
Oct. 4           at Technology
Oct. 6           at Arts
Oct. 7           Oak Knoll
Oct. 12         Weequahic
Oct. 14         at Marylawn
Oct. 16         at Morristown Beard, 11 a.m.
Oct. 18         Newark Central
Oct. 20        Rutgers Prep, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 22        Kent Place
Oct. 25         at Cedar Grove
Oct. 27         St. Vincent
Oct. 29         at Essex County Vo-Tech
Nov. 1           at West Side