On a late August day, Bev Torok was at it again, putting the Westfield High School girl’s volleyball team through its paces, getting ready for the 2009 season, which starts next week.
The girls rotated different drills, preparing for Torok’s 15th season as head coach of the Blue Devils. Torok has coached many other sports—ninth-grade field hockey, varsity swimming, and ninth-grade softball among others.
The goals, she said, never waver.
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“We’re always trying to win the conference, the county,’’ said Torok.
This year, the Blue Devils will be a member of the new Union County Conference, which includes all schools in Union County. The Blue Devils leave their longtime membership in the Watchung Conference, which included Newark schools like East Side which had a perennially strong volleyball team.
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“I think it makes sense,’’ said Torok of the new league. “It really makes sense. Teams in our county are very similar schools. There are no real differences.’’
The team was quite young a year ago, finishing 10-10. The Blue Devils, 14-11 two years ago, didn’t make the state tournament last year and was knocked out by Cranford in the quarterfinals of the Union County Tournament. The team last won it in 2006 and was second in ’07.
Senior setter/defensive specialist Danielle Cofone returns along with senior middle blocker Gab Cerami, senior middle/outside Lisa Nehring, sophomore libero Grace Antonelli, junior hitter Emma Partridge and junior setter Jennelle Abbatistta. Captains Kim Townsend and Jennifer Ditzell were among those who graduated.
Torok pointed out that several players have gone on to play at the collegiate level. Nikki LeBlanc went on to play at East Stroudsburg University and was a two-time Eastern All All American. Presently, Paige and Erin Roudebush are playing at Rowan University and Fairleigh Dickinson University respectively.
Dominique LeBlanc, a 2003 graduate of Westfield High, was assistant women’s coach at New Jersey City University Jersey City. LeBlanc played four seasons for Torok, including three on the varsity level. As a senior, she helped Westfield get to the county and state finals.
The team opens the season with a non-conference game at West Morris Sept. 8 before taking a 14-day break before playing host to West Orange Sept. 22.
Torok is assisted by Sara Soriente. Liz Walsh is a volunteer coach.
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