If Nylene Mateo is able to break free, she can control a match by herself. If Mateo and Kiara Polanco can both do it, that’s a daunting uphill battle for any opponent on the other side of the net.
The duo went off for a total of 40 kills and four blocks to power top-seeded Bogota, No. 8 in the NJ.com Top 20, to a hard-fought 22-25, 25-10, 25-20 win against fourth-seeded Midland Park in the NJSIAA Group 1 Tournament semifinals in Bogota.
It’s the third head-to-head victory for Bogota (28-4) against Midland Park this season and the win sends the team to the Group 1 final for the 20th time in program history and 10th time in a row.
Mateo’s 22 kills led the team and it became the seventh time this season she has recorded at least 20. The 18 kills from Polanco were a season-high and matched her total from the past three games.
Amber Vazquez also had a season-high with 38 assists, extending her total to 670 on the season.
Bogota will take on second-seeded Kinnelon in the final on Saturday at William Paterson University.
Gillian Luberoff had five kills and six blocks in the loss for Midland Park (19-4). Emilie Ghalam had eight kills to finish her tournament strong with 23 in four games. Sarah VanderPyl notched five kills and three blocks of her own.
Julia Calderone had 21 assists.
Brian Bobal may be reached at bbobal@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianBobalHS. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.
