🏆🏐Secaucus completes dramatic comeback to repeat as N2G1 sectional champs

The pressure couldn’t have been any greater for Secaucus.

Trailing 14-6 in the fourth set of the NJSIAA/Wilson North 2 Group 1 sectional championship, the Patriots did not want to send the title match to a decisive – and always unpredictable – fifth set against Verona.

All too familiar with each other, it was a heavyweight bout of two slugging Group 1 powers, and though it was a section final, Secaucus’ gym had it feeling like a state championship.

Perhaps both of these teams deserved a bid to make it that far, but only one, disappointingly, could advance.

Secaucus held a 2-1 set lead as they glared at the shaking scoreboard. Their opportunity to repeat as section champs was hanging in the balance against a Verona squad that had collected four consecutive N2G1 titles from 2020-23, and had lost to Secaucus in the 2024 championship. The Hillbillies could taste a fifth set looming. Momentum finally shifted to their side with the fourth set inching to its conclusion.

But Secaucus kept clawing. Secaucus’ relentless defense kept the hard-hitting Verona swings off the floor. They won the long rallies. All of a sudden, the score was tied at 24. Secaucus’ Elizabeth Aquino batted down a go-ahead kill.

The filled gymnasium, with spectators all on their feet, watched on as senior Olivia Jasiczek dribbled the ball to the serving line. Her serve put Verona out of rhythm, and they were unable to get the ball back over the net on three hits.

Patriots head coach Dylan Caruso leapt out of his seat immediately after the first touch and knew his team’s fate was sealed. The ball hit the ground moments later and top-seeded Secaucus clinched its sectional championship repeat in a 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 26-24 victory on Tuesday, Nov. 11 over second-seeded Verona.

“When Olivia walked to the serving line, I took a breath for the first time in six hours,” Caruso said.

“This match has been on our minds for quite some time. The day finally came and the competitiveness on both sides had me breathless. But I saw Olivia go to the line and I felt calm for once.”

Secaucus – ranked No. 5 in the NJ.com Top 20 – improved to 27-2 while extending their winning streak to 19 matches. No. 12 Verona fell to 25-4. This was Secaucus’ first victory of the season that did not end in straight sets.

“That Verona team is so impressive. But no matter the deficit, we have so much trust in one another. I have played with these girls for over three years. We believed we would come back,” Jasiczek said.

Secaucus junior setter Sarah Veloz amassed a career-high 40 assists, along with 15 digs and three consecutive aces to give her team a lead midway through the second frame.

Guzman stuffed the stat sheet with a career-best 24 kills. The Patriots senior, who was flying all over the court and putting the ball down regardless of where the momentum moved her, surpassed 700 career kills. Her biggest point came in the fourth set to cut Verona’s deficit to 24-22.

“Sofia is a rockstar. The kid is a perfectionist, and she played lights out. I’m in awe,” Caruso said.

Jasiczek put down 11 kills, Isabella Pablos had 10, and Aquino produced four.

Avalyn Torres sliced six aces and racked up 12 digs. Penelope Campo notched 17 digs while Zoe Donaldson and Apollonia Dicanio each had six. Ava D’Addetta added one assist and one dig.

“This entire team deserves credit. We don’t win three Hudson County championships in a row, nor back-to-back sectional titles without the effort of every player,” Guzman said.

Senior Jessica Theobald swung for a dozen kills and will graduate with 335 for her career.

The Patriots will oppose Ramsey in the Group 1 state semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 13 in Secaucus.