Greg Tartaglia
Rutherford
North 2, Group 1
The Bulldogs became division mates with Secaucus in the new NJIC National this season, and the two tied for second place behind St. Mary. Rutherford (19-8) took the rubber match Thursday in the volleyball equivalent of “double overtime” – 29-27, 27-25, as the winners surpassed the regulation 25 points in both sets.
Senior Hannah Tobin and freshman Cate Finan combined for 14 assists in propelling the No. 2 seed into the final against No. 1 Verona (21-5), which outlasted the Bulldogs in three sets for last year’s crown. The Hillbillies handled Hasbrouck Heights in the semis, 25-9, 25-13.
Rutherford has reached the 20-win mark in each of its last six full seasons (aside from the Spring 2021 COVID campaign). No. 3 Secaucus finished 16-9 under second-year coach Dylan Caruso, extending a string of 41 consecutive winning records.
Bogota, Cresskill
North 1, Group 1
While the top-seeded Bucs (25-2) remain in pursuit of their 13th consecutive championship, No. 3 Cresskill (19-5) will try to win its first since the NJSIAA began awarding sectional trophies in 2010. The Cougars’ last state title came in 2003, when they went back-to-back in Group 1.
Both teams have different coaches than they did a year ago. In Bogota’s case, Brad DiRupo returns for his 23rd season after taking 2021 off due to health reasons. Cresskill’s Laura Germano is entirely new to varsity volleyball and stepped in at the last minute prior to the season, and her squad has responded with its highest win total since 2009.
The Cougars finished a game behind Emerson in the NJIC Patriot Division, but they prevailed when the teams squared off for a third time in Thursday’s semifinals. Junior Erin Fahy tied a season high with 13 kills and added seven blocks in a 25-21, 25-21 victory over the No. 2 Cavos.
In addition to leading the team in both categories, Fahy ranks No. 1 in aces (31), just ahead of senior setter Amber Dangelico (29), who heads into the sectional final with 408 assists.
Bogota setter Mia Pimentel, meanwhile, raised her season assist total to 542 with 26 in a 25-7, 25-13 win against No. 4 Saddle Brook. The Bucs completed a sweep of their new rivals in the NJIC Liberty – they had been in the Patriot Division until this year – and have not lost a divisional game since the conference was formed in 2010.
Senior Angelina Buhler notched a career-best 16 kills for Bogota, and with her complementing fellow outside hitter Ashanna Caviness (340 kills this season), the defending champs will be a tough out.
