A Roller Coaster Week for Gov. Livingston Volleyball

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - It’s been an exhilarating week for the Gov. Livingston High School volleyball team, marked by significant highs and challenging lows. Coach Steve Hess reflects on a whirlwind of emotions as the team navigated triumphs and setbacks.

Triumph at the Millburn Tournament

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The week kicked off on a high note as Gov. Livingston claimed victory at the Millburn Tournament on Saturday, securing the championship for the second consecutive year. The team showcased their prowess by defeating Mount Olive in the semi-finals before triumphing over host Millburn in the finals. This win not only underscores the team’s talent but also their determination to maintain a winning streak.

Historic Win Against Westfield

The excitement continued on Monday with a historic victory against Westfield, marking the first time in ten years of varsity volleyball that Gov. Livingston has come out on top against this formidable opponent. Historically, teams like Westfield and Union Catholic have set the bar high in Union County volleyball, making this win particularly significant for Gov. Livingston. Despite facing adversity with the early loss of captain Eva Sottosanti to an ankle sprain, the team rallied impressively.

Abby Kim emerged as a standout player, leading the offense with 14 kills, while contributions from five other players showcased the team’s depth. A crucial element of their success was the effective serve/receive strategy executed by Abby, Eva, Gia Naik, Julie Rinaldi, and Sarah Alves, which successfully countered tough serves and set the stage for offensive plays. Senior captain Anna Kramarchuk played a vital role as one of the top setters on the team. Currently, she leads Union County with 35 aces and ranks second in assists this season with 177.

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The team’s defense was equally impressive, recording a remarkable 30 digs in just two sets, with Gia leading the charge with 11 digs.

Setback Against Union Catholic

However, the thrill of victory was tempered by a challenging loss later in the week against Union Catholic, a team known for its fierce competitiveness and led by the state's top hitter, Rachel Williams. The first set was a nail-biter, with both teams exchanging points and defensive stops until Union Catholic edged out a 25-22 win. Unfortunately, a combination of unforced errors from Gov. Livingston and the opponents’ strong plays quickly put the team at a disadvantage in the second set, preventing them from mounting a comeback.

Click here for the stats of the 9-2 Highlanders as reported to NJ.com.

Next, Gov. Livingston will travel to Elizabeth on Monday, September 30, and then host Kent Place on Tuesday, October 1.

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