IHA Volleyball Honored At Bergen Plaza

Immaculate Heart Academy’s varsity Volleyball team was lauded for their sustained achievement Monday when the championship club was honored at a public ceremony in Hackensack’s One Bergen Plaza.

The team, which finished with a 32-1 record, a state championship and a Tournament of Champions title, was honored with certificates highlighting the team’s success from members of Bergen Country’s Executive Office.

“It’s such an honor to be recognized by the county, especially for volleyball because the best teams in the state are from Bergen County,” Co-Head Coach Mike DeCastro said. “So to be recognized by the county meant a lot to the team.”

Bergen County Parks and Recreation Director Ronald Kistner spoke to the team, who in November defeated Northern Valley/Old Tappan High School to win their second county title in the last three years, and said that he has been able to brag to other counties about the team’s success, something he believed the team should be proud of.

“I’m sure you know your parents, friends and classmates and people at your school are proud of you, but I want to let you know the people of Bergen County are proud of you,” Kistner said to the team. “You give us bragging rights.”

This season, the team won the BCWCA Bergen County tournament by defeating Bogota High School, while also winning the non-public Group A championship for the fifth straight year after toppling Union Catholic in the state tournament.

Later in the season, the Blue Eagles took down River Dell High School and Demarest High School to secure a Tournament of Champions title – the high school’s fourth time achieving such honors

The team also secured other awards and accolades this season, including being undefeated league champions and winning the Jersey Classic Tournament, among others, Kistner said

The Blue Eagles also sported a home winning streak of 73 wins stretching through the 2006 season as well as 51 straight league match wins over the same span.

“You’re not one-year wonders,” Kistner said. “It takes team effort…every team is waiting for you and to win that many in the row, it’s something to be proud of.”

Emma Perazzo, a senior on the team, said being honored by the county highlighted the team’s athletic achievement but pointed to how close the team was as a reason for their success

“It’s a great feeling to have all of our hard work, both on and off the court, to be recognized,” Perazzo said. “I really think it was the team’s chemistry that led to our success, it’s not just about athletic ability but about the friendships we all share.”

DeCastro agreed with Perazzo and said the success the team had this season showcased the hard work and determination the team has, but believed the team’s chemistry was equally as important.

“I think [the team’s success] stems from tradition and knowing the expectations year in and year out,” De Castro said. “The girls know the hard work they need to put in in addition to the time and effort it takes to maintain that success.

Aside from the championships, we were a tight-knit close team who were playing hard and never wanted to let down each other down.”