Maroons Spike Their Competion

The Ridgewood girls varsity volleyball team traveled to Kearney on Saturday where they defeated the "Kards" in straight sets (25-11, 25-12) to move to 3-1 on the young season. Needless to say, the results left head coach Ron Knott more that satisfied.

"I thought the girls executed brilliantly today, allowing us to do a number of things very well," said Knott. "The back row did a good job making tough digs and passes that gave our middle hitters a number of opportunities to put points on the scoreboard."

Leading the way for the Maroons was the ultra-dynamic Blair Fuentez, who tallied 19 points and 7 aces. The senior outside hitter dominated the net with a dazzling display of blocks, spikes and kills to terminate any offensive rhythm the Kards might have had going.

"She's a division-one volleyball player," noted Knott of the University of Miami-bound Fuentez. "Her ability to play every aspect of the game so well, really gives our team options in what we can do."

Fuentez seemed to be option numero uno for the Maroons starting setter Stephanie Rudd, who collected a game-high 17 assists. Despite the fact that this was only Rudd's fourth game on the varsity level, she looked quite comfortable orchestrating the Maroon offense.

"Stephanie has done everything we've asked of her and more," said an appreciative Knott. "She not only puts up a very nice ball, but she has also been instrumental in our team morale with the energy and enthusiasm that she brings to the court day in and day out."

That unbridled enthusiasm was on full display throughout the game as Ridgewood won easily thanks to a number of lopsided scoring runs.

The first came early in the opening set with Ridgewood leading just 5-4. It was there senior captain Julia Gould sparked the Maroons with three straight aces to ignite an 11-3 scoring run.

"As good a player as Julia is, she is probably an even better leader for us," Knott said of the senior. "She has a knack for making plays in key moments of the game to really get the momentum going in our direction."

Kearney failed to recover from Ridgewood's early onslaught. They lost the first set 25-11, but managed to rally in the second stanza behind the hot hitting of Gabby Vivas.

Vivas ran off four straight aces to tie the game at 10-10, but on this afternoon that would be as far as the Kards would fly.

The Maroons never trailed in the game and ended the day on another blistering 15-2 scoring spree. Fuentez led the charge with 6 points and capped things off with an ace to end the match.

Up next for Ridgewood are two games against Clifton and Teaneck before a meeting with one of Bergen's best, Academy of Holy Angels.