Cutting it Close: Paramus Defeats Ridgewood After Adrenaline-Filled Game

There are very few rivalries in Bergen County that consistently make for a great game. For Paramus and Ridgewood volleyball, it's a stone-cold guarantee. The 10-8 Paramus Spartans defeated the 12-6 Ridgewood Maroons, 2-1, in one of the most exciting games this season.

Both Ridgewood and Paramus hold the league title as neither one has lost in their divisions. Ridgewood started the first game off with an early but short-lived lead as Paramus overcame the Maroons 25-12, thanks in part to Lindsay Shaw's three Aces and Jackie Licari's killer block.

Ridgewood ultimately won the second game after a long volley, taking advantage of the holes in the Spartan defense.  Maroon captain Blair Fuentez closed the game 25-14 with a kill.

"We played [Ridgewood] last time and went out game one playing hard," said Paramus coach Maria Elena Bellinger. "Then things started wrong in game two and we kind of stopped. Today we just made sure we didn't stop."

While the first two games were played pretty much error free, the last game came down to who made the last error. The game was extremely close the entire time. Both teams wanted the win to get one step closer to the championships.

"They are going to be close games because of the rivalry between the schools," said Ridgewood coach Ron Knott. "They got ahead of us in the beginning, but we fought back all the time and that's good to see from your team."

It was neck and neck as there were never more than a few points between them. Towards the end of the game Ridgewood upped their score from 17 to 20 as Paramus couldn't catch a break. The tension was thick as the volume grew louder from the stands as the last few points were contested. Paramus ultimately won on an error with the close score of 25-23.

 "It's always a match when Paramus and Ridgewood come into a gym together and it's always fun," said Bellinger. "These are two great programs, two competitive programs. I thought game two was a repeat of the last time we met. I was proud of them for recovering and coming back fighting."

Maroon Stephanie Rudd led the game with 27 assists and Blair Fuentez had 16 powerhouse kills. Spartans Stephanie Peros hustled with 10 kills and 5 digs while Alicia Devany helped the Spartans win with 10 kills and 10 digs.

"For Paramus, it's about the team having each other's back and making it happen," said Paramus senior captain, Stephanie Peros. "There is nothing that can get in our way to the championships. This team is so unstoppable."

Paramus faces the Teaneck Highwaywomen this Friday at 4:15pm.