Ramapo Girls Looking to Avoid Late Season Spike

Following Ramapo's season-ending loss to Fair Lawn in the quarterfinals of the 2009 girls state volleyball tournament, head coach Dave Van Hook was left disappointed.

 "For most teams this would have been a successful season," Van Hook said of his squad's 20-5 record and appearance in the elite eight. "But this group wanted more, and we certainly felt like we were capable of more."

The abrupt end to last season seems to have been a learning experience for the coach and his Lady Raiders because as Van Hook puts it, "The season is not a sprint, it's a marathon, and this year our goal is to peak come playoff time."

In 2010 the Raiders will feature a senior-laden unit led by four returning starters: Nicole Kincade, Sarah Giegerich, Erin O'Hagan and Anna Poruks.

"This is the most seniors we've had in four years," noted Van Hook. "We have talented girls up and down the roster who all bring excitement and intensity every time they step on the court."

Kincade, who is coming of a brilliant 2009 campaign, figures to be the star of the show. The four-year varsity player was named first-team all league and first-team all-county last season while dominating the net at her middle hitter position.

"She plays volleyball all year round at a very high level," Van Hook said. "But not only that, she is an extremely bright kid and recently gave her verbal commitment to play at Princeton."

As important as Kincade is to her team's success, it's O'Hagan who is perhaps the key to Ramapo's season.  After being named first-team all league and second-team all-county as a libero, O'Hagan will now be asked to make the switch to the setter position.

"It's the most difficult position to fill, and the player that we've had in that spot for the past three years has moved on through graduation," Van Hook said. "But if there's anybody who can do it, it's Erin; she's athletic, quick and the consummate team player."

Helping to make the transition a little easier will be Giegerich, who was voted second-team all league last season as an outside hitter.

"Sarah's a three-year player for us who really brings a complete skill set to the team. She can play all the way around the court for us and will be the captain this year along with Kincade and O'Hagan."

Together the girls will look to lead Ramapo through a very tough schedule which includes match-ups against Old Tappan, Northern Highlands, Demarest and perhaps most importantly, Fair Lawn.

That's right, the Raider's will get a chance at redemption very early in the season when they host the Cutters on Sept. 13; however, the girls hope that will be only one win en route to a championship season.