The Mendham girls volleyball team look to defend their title
MENDHAM, N.J. — The Mendham Minutemen girls volleyball are ranked 12th overall in the state, per NJ.com. They’re seeking another state title and an opportunity to defend their county tournament
championship.
Mendham is 5-2 currently, however, they finished 12-4 with NJSIAA north Jersey, section two, group three championship the previous season. They also won the group three tournament championship and the Morris County tournament last time it was held in 2019.
“The team’s goal is to win the Morris County Tournament and Group 2 state tournament,” said head coach Greg Racz explaining that the school is now classified as a Group 2 school as opposed to Group 3. “The team will be 5-2 heading into the weekend with the two losses both coming from division rivals and two of New Jersey’s Top 10 teams, No. 4 Sparta and No. 6 Roxbury. Both losses were decided in three sets.”
Mendham has advanced to the championship of both the Jersey Classic tournament and the Bloomfield invitational. Both times they fell short to Immaculate Heart Academy who’s ranked number one overall in the state and East Brunswick who’s ranked ninth. They suffered losses to both teams within two sets.
Key players to watch
There are several studs on this Minutemen’s girls volleyball team.
“The team’s offense has mainly come through the balanced attack of outside hitters Ania Trzesniowski and Poppy Skjonnemand, middle blocker Annibelle Ernst, and setter Sarah Wilcock,” Racz said. “All four players are within 10 kills of each other for the team lead. The defense is led by the passing of libero Chloe Czop and defensive specialist Brittany Giles.”
This team isn’t young by any means, the team has nine returning players. Eight of the nine returning are seniors. The seniors will provide experience and leadership to the inexperienced teammates in big-game situations. The Minutemen will have only three players who have not gained any varsity experience.
“Poppy Skjonnemand and Gabby David are the team’s senior captains and third-year varsity players,” Racz said. “Sarah Wilcock returns from Mendham’s 2019 Morris County champion and Group 3 state champion team. She sat out last season, which was moved from the fall to spring, to play beach volleyball and is committed to playing Division I beach volleyball for Texas Christian University. Katie Webber was the team’s primary setter last season and helps run the team’s offense along with Sarah.”
COVID-19 complications and adversity faced throughout the season
Although, the team has faced its fair share of obstacles and tribulations. They have still found a
way to be successful.
“The season has once again been altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, although not as dramatically as last season,” Racz said. “With a return to fall play and a more regular schedule, the season requires a great deal of endurance starting with team camp in early August and hopefully culminating with a return to the Tournament of Champions toward the end of November.”
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