Secaucus won the 800th match in the 40-season history of the girls volleyball program and is now tied for New Jersey’s all-time lead with Paramus.
The host Patriots, ranked No. 6 in The Record Top 15, defeated Wallington, 25-9, 25-8, Thursday in the NJIC Liberty Division behind 19 kills from senior hitter Julia McClure.
“I just love to see that the girls ‘get it,’ ” said coach Sheila Rivera, a 1987 Secaucus graduate and former standout player. “I tried to explain to them that, ‘Yes, it’s very satisfying for me to see you do so well, but it means so much more when you’re a player and actually the ones doing it.’ ”
Secaucus (11-1, 8-0 Liberty) also received 23 assists from senior setter Kendall Caruso and 10 digs and 24 service points from junior defensive specialist Kristina Ulrich.
Several former players and coaches were in attendance, including one from Secaucus’ first state title team (1983) which was Rivera’s freshman season and the first of four consecutive Group 2 titles.
“It’s all about passing on that tradition,” Rivera said, “and bringing the new girls up to learn about that, and they want to do it just as badly as the other girls did it before them.”
RUTHERFORD 25, 25, RIDGEFIELD PARK 15, 18 (at Ridgefield Park): Rutherford (7-3) stretched its winning streak to four, with junior Jessica Rogers producing nine kills and freshman Anna DeCesare 13 assists in this independent match.
EASTERN CHRISTIAN 20, 25, 25, HAWTHORNE 25, 15, 17 (at North Haledon): Senior Jayna Van Buiten and junior Emma Hagedoorn had three kills apiece and junior Nicole Aoki had 12 assists as Eastern Christian (3-6) won its first NJIC Colonial game.