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Volleyball

by Marc Narducci; Photo by Tim Hawk

CHEROKEE CHIEFS

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior setter Grace Streicher (pictured) and senior outside hitter Claire Bennett were consensus first-team all-South Jersey selections. Streicher recorded 360 assists while Bennett had 72 kills and 15 service aces. Other returning starters are junior Jess Quinlan, senior Victoria Gambino and junior defensive specialist Alyssa Gilboy. Returning letter winners include seniors Courtney Visconti, Allison Farrell and Alexandra Nicholas, and junior Sarah Speight.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: The Chiefs are the favorites to defend their American Division title, although Cherry Hill East and Eastern could provide outstanding competition.

OUTLOOK: The Chiefs won’t surrender their division title easily. After a 21-2 season, this team has the potential to return just as strong as last year.

CHERRY HILL EAST COUGARS

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Jamie DiVito was a second-team all-conference choice last year, with a .320 hitting percentage, to lead the 13-6 Cougars. Other returning starters are seniors Kate Wrinn and Jane Sweeney. Coach Scott Mooney also welcomes back four returning senior letter winners: Ariana Akkerman, Danielle Montgomery, Alyssa Warren and Emily Kelly. Among the players up from JV include setters Nancy Brown and Alyssa Warren, both juniors.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: Cherry Hill East joins Eastern as the primary challengers to Cherokee.

OUTLOOK: The Cougars were 13-6 last year. If the setter position is resolved and a number of strong players from the JV enjoy the same success on varsity, the Cougars should improve their win total and have a chance at the division title.

CHERRY HILL WEST LIONS

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Among the experienced players are junior outside hitter Emma Scott, along with seniors Hannah Bender, Brianna RInaldi, Darielle Nable and Morgan Pyle.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: Defending Olympic National Division champ Moorestown remains the favorite.

OUTLOOK: The Lions went 5-14 overall last year and 5-5 in the division. While getting to .500 could be difficult, improving the win total is a realistic goal.

EASTERN VIKINGS

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Caitlin Miller and junior Emily Springle were second-team all-conference performers. Also back from an 18-11 team is senior Melissa Parker. Coach Tom Armour expects several juniors from last year’s JV team to make an impact, including Seattle Ellison, Emily Fair, Emily Solinski, Laurel Applebaum, Taylor Kauterman and Allison Meyer.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: Cherokee. However, Eastern’s Vikings are annually conference contenders, and this year should be no different. While Eastern won’t be penciled in as the favorite, they should, along with Cherry Hill East, stretch defending division champion Cherokee to the limit.

OUTLOOK: Eastern has lost several key veterans to graduation, but the juniors from the JV program have the ability to mesh with the experienced players to enable the Vikings to realistically shoot for 20 wins this season.

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC RAMS

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior setter Brittany Cogan was a second-team all-Liberty Division selection. Other key returning veterans are senior Nicole Fallon and juniors Casey Lynch, Natalie DiCarlo and Jenna Castaldo. Three letter winners also return: senior Danielle DeVito and juniors Angelika Paluch and Allie Golde. Senior Danielle Barger was the JV captain last year, and sophomore defensive specialist Morgan Masiejczyk is another key newcomer.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: The Rams remain the team to beat.

OUTLOOK: The Rams were 14-7 overall and won the division with a 7-1 record. Even though they may be the favorite, coach Pete Peterson must replace four key seniors. How that veteran leadership is replaced will decide whether Rams can improve on last year’s record.

LENAPE INDIANS

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Seniors Stephanie Pilipshen, Jaine Danlag and Liz McGrogan and junior Alicia Day are all returning starters, while senior Alex Paletta and sophomore Emily Sheehan are returning letter winners. Junior Kaitlin Decker should be a strong addition to varsity after competing on the JV the past two seasons. Pilipshen was among the team leaders last year and is returning after missing the last month with a concussion.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: Several teams, including Cherokee, Cherry Hill East and Eastern.

OUTLOOK: Lenape has an experienced team, so improving on last year’s 5-17 record is likely. But it will be difficult to move up too far because the Indians compete in such a difficult conference.

MOORESTOWN QUAKERS

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Among the key returning veterans are seniors Samantha DelRosso and Marisa Randazzo and juniors Anna Allende, Jessica Booth and Tori DeBerardinis.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: Kingsway, which finished second to Moorestown in the National Division, should be a formidable competitor.

OUTLOOK: The Quakers were 22-4 overall and 10-0 in the division last season, and that success should continue. Once again, Moorestown is expected to be among the top 10 programs in South Jersey.

PAUL VI EAGLES

PLAYERS TO WATCH: This team is one of the youngest around, although there is some experience in the ranks. Among the varsity starters are juniors Allison Calabria and Kelly Duphorn, and sophomores Brenna Jones and Katie Underwood. Junior Erin Johns, sophomore Carly Histing and seniors Alyssa Pierson, Kaleigh Sawers, Katie Jo Galezniak and Allison Caruso are returning letter winners.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: Since this is only the second year of the program, Paul VI isn’t expected to contend for a title in the National Division, where Moorestown is the defending champion.

OUTLOOK : Paul VI did a remarkable job going 4-14 in its first year fielding a varsity volleyball team. With so many players returning, improvement is likely. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to double last season’s win total.

SENECA GOLDEN EAGLES

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Jessica Daunoras is the Golden Eagles top returning player as a middle hitter. Senior Taylor Hughes returns as a setter. Other returning players include sophomore Eile Harris and senior Jessica Zangli.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: Defending division champion Moorestown remains the team to beat.

OUTLOOK: The Golden Eagles just missed qualifying for the playoffs by a game at the cutoff date. After losing only two seniors, earning a playoff berth would be a realistic goal.

SHAWNEE RENEGADES

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Laura Weigel was a first-team, all-Patriot Division choice, while classmate Emma Faulkner was a second-team selection. Other returning veterans include junior Gabby Best and seniors Jessica Broyles, Kara Capasso and Lisa Sporing. Junior Amanda Gordon is a key returning letter winner.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: Williamstown. The Braves are one of the state’s top teams each year and a member of the Patriot Division.

OUTLOOK: With an experienced group returning, Shawnee should at least match if not surpass its 8-2 division record from last year. The Renegades should be competitive with anybody on their schedule.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP MINUTEMAIDS

PLAYERS TO WATCH: This is a very inexperienced team after graduating nine seniors including, first-team all-conference performer Kaileen Benenour. Senior Maria Lane and junior Krystiana Schaffer are key letter winners on what will be one of the younger teams around.

BIGGEST COMPETITION: Cherry Hill East and Cherokee are the teams expected at the top in the Olympic Conference.

OUTLOOK: With such a young team, the Minutemaids will be in a rebuilding mode this year, especially against a schedule where there aren’t many breathers.

2011 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULES

CHEROKEE CHIEFS
9/8 vs. Washington Twp., 5:30 p.m.
9/12 at Northern Burlington, 5 p.m.
9/14 vs. Clearview, 5:15 p.m.
9/16 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 at Moorestown, 5:15 p.m.
10/1 vs. Hunterdon Central, 2:15 p.m.
10/5 vs. Cherry Hill East, 5:15 p.m.
10/6 at Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
10/13 at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
10/14 at Southern Regional, 4 p.m.
10/17 vs. Eastern, 5:30 p.m.
10/19 at Sterling, 3:45 p.m.
10/20 at Absegami, 4 p.m.
10/21 vs. Northern Burlington, 5 p.m.
10/28 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.

CHERRY HILL EAST COUGARS
9/8 vs. Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
9/10 at Eastern Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
9/12 at Clearview, 3:45 p.m.
9/14 vs. Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
9/16 vs. Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 at Winslow Twp., 3:45 p.m.
9/21 vs. Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
9/23 vs. Rancocas Valley, 3:45 p.m.
9/26 vs. GCIT, 4 p.m.
9/28 vs. Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
10/3 at Washington Twp., 3:45 p.m.
10/5 at Cherokee, 5:15 p.m.
10/11 vs. Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
10/13 at Rancocas Valley, 3:45 p.m.
10/17 at Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
10/19 vs. Rancocas Valley, 3:45 p.m.
10/21 at CCT, 3:45 p.m.
10/26 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
10/28 vs. Cherokee, 3:45 p.m.

CHERRY HILL WEST LIONS
9/8 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
9/9 vs. Moorestown, 3:45 p.m.
9/12 vs. Paul VI, 3:45 p.m.
9/14 vs. Washington Twp., 3:45 p.m.
9/16 at Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 vs. Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
9/21 at Camden County Tech, 3:45 p.m.
9/23 at Clearview, 4 p.m.
9/26 vs. Kingsway, 4 p.m.
9/27 at Penn Tech, 3:45 p.m.
10/3 at Winslow, 3:45 p.m.
10/4 at Camden, 3:45 p.m.
10/5 vs. Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
10/6 vs. Camden County Tech 3:45 p.m.
10/10 at Seneca, 3:45 p.m.
10/11 vs. Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
10/17 at Moorestown, 3:45 p.m.
10/19 vs. Seneca, 3:45 p.m.
10/21 vs. Lenape , 3:45 p.m.
10/25 at Paul VI, 4 p.m.
10/28 at Kingsway , 3:45 p.m.

EASTERN VIKINGS
9/9 at Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
9/10 vs. Eastern Invitational, 9 a.m.
9/12 at Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
9/13 vs. Hunterdon Central Regional, 5:30 p.m.
9/15 vs. Williamstown, 4 p.m.
9/16 vs. Cherokee, 3:45 p.m.
9/17 at Paramus Quad, 10 a.m.
9/19 at Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
9/20 vs. Camden Co. Rotech 3:45 p.m.
9/21 vs. Clearview, 4 p.m.
9/22 vs. Washington Twp., 3:45 p.m.
9/24 at Livingston Tournament, 9 a.m.
9/27 at Moorestown, 5:15 p.m.
10/3 at Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
10/5 at Rancocas Valley Regional, 3:45 p.m.
10/11 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
10/13 vs. Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
10/14 vs. St. Joseph’s, 3:45 p.m.
10/17 at Cherokee, 5:30 p.m.
10/18 vs. Hunterdon Central, 5:30 p.m.
10/19 at Washington Twp., 3:45 p.m.
10/21 vs. Rancocas Valley Regional, 3:45 p.m.
10/24 vs. Absegami, 4 p.m.
10/26 vs. Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
10/29 vs. McAleer Memorial Tournament

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC RAMS
9/8 at Woodrow Wilson, 3:45 p.m.
9/12 at Kingsway Regional, 5 p.m.
9/14 at Our Lady of Mercy Academy, 3:45 p.m.
9/16 at Sterling, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 vs. Camden, 3:45 p.m.
9/20 vs. Absegami, 4 p.m.
9/21 at Paul VI, 3:45 p.m.
9/23 vs. Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
9/26 vs. Cinnaminson, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 at Gloucester County Institute of Technology, 3:45 p.m.
10/3 at St. Joseph’s, Hammonton, 3:45 p.m.
10/5 at Pleasantville, 3:45 p.m.
10/6 vs. Camden, 3:45 p.m.
10/11 vs. Sterling, 3:45 p.m.
10/12 vs. Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
10/13 vs. Our Lady of Mercy Academy, 3:45 p.m.
10/17 at Clearview Regional, 3:45 p.m.
10/19 vs. Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
10/20 at Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
10/24 vs. St. Joseph’s, Hammonton, 3:45 p.m.
10/25 at Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
10/26 at Pleasantville, 3:45 p.m.
10/27 at Absegami, 4 p.m.

LENAPE INDIANS
9/6 vs. Cinnaminson, 3:45 p.m.
9/8 vs. Winslow Twp., 3:45 p.m.
9/10 at Moorestown Tournament
9/12 at Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
9/14 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
9/16 at Camden County Tech 3:45 p.m.
9/19 at Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
9/21 at Williamstown, 5:30 p.m.
9/23 vs. Cherokee, 3:45 p.m.
9/26 vs. Northern Burlington, 3:45 p.m.
9/27 at Sterling, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 vs. Clearview, 4 p.m.
10/1 at Burlington County Open
10/3 vs. Eastern Regional, 3:45 p.m.
10/5 at Moorestown, 5:15 p.m.
10/11 at Rancocas Valley, 5 p.m.
10/12 vs. Seneca, 4 p.m.
10/13 at Eastern Regional, 3:45 p.m.
10/14 vs. Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
10/17 vs. Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
10/18 at Absegami, 4 p.m.
10/21 at Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
10/25 vs. Gloucester Catholic, 3:45 p.m.
10/26 at Cherokee, 4 p.m.
10/28 at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.

MOORESTOWN QUAKERS
9/8 at Kingsway, 3:45 p.m.
9/9 at Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
9/10 vs. Moorestown Invitational, 8 p.m.
9/12 at Camden County Tech School, 3:45 p.m.
9/13 at Camden Academy, 3:45 p.m.
9/14 vs. Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
9/16 at Paul VI, 4 p.m.
9/19 vs. Cherokee, 5:15 p.m.
9/21 at Northern Burlington Regional, 5 p.m.
9/23 vs. Seneca, 5:15 p.m.
9/24 vs. Hunterdon Central Regional, 11:30 a.m.
9/27 vs. Eastern, 5:15 p.m.
9/28 vs. Washington Twp., 5:15 p.m.
10/1 vs. Burlington County Open, 8 a.m.
10/5 vs. Lenape, 5:15 p.m.
10/6 at Winslow Twp., 3:45 p.m.
10/7 vs. Southern Regional, 5:30 p.m.
10/11 vs. Pennsauken, 5:15 p.m.
10/12 at Lawrenceville, 4 p.m.
10/13 vs. Camden County Tech School, 5:15 p.m.
10/17 vs. Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
10/18 at Rancocas Valley Regional, 5:15 p.m.
10/20 at Woodrow Wilson, 3:45 p.m.
10/21 vs. Kingsway Regional, 5:15 p.m.
10/24 vs. Paul VI, 5:15 p.m.

PAUL VI EAGLES
9/8 vs. Seneca, 4 p.m.
9/9 at Sterling, 3:45 p.m.
9/12 at Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
9/14 at Kingsway, 5 p.m.
9/16 vs. Moorestown, 4 p.m.
9/19 vs. Camden Academy Charter, 4 p.m.
9/20 vs. Pennsauken, 4 p.m.
9/21 vs. Gloucester Catholic, 3:45 p.m.
9/23 at Woodrow Wilson, 3:45 p.m.
9/26 vs. Camden County Tech 4 p.m.
9/28 vs. Our Lady of Mercy Academy, 4 p.m.
10/3 at Camden Academy Charter, 4 p.m.
10/5 vs. Camden, 3:45 p.m.
10/6 at Penn Tech, 3:45 p.m.
10/11 vs. Cinnaminson, 4 p.m.
10/17 vs. Kingsway, 3:45 p.m.
10/19 vs. Camden County Tech, 4 p.m.
10/21 at Seneca, 4 p.m.
10/24 at Moorestown, 5:15 p.m.
10/25 vs. Cherry Hill West, 4 p.m.
10/27 vs. Pleasantville, 4 p.m.

SENECA GOLDEN EAGLES
9/8 at Paul VI, 4 p.m.
9/12 at Cherokee, 4 p.m.
9/14 vs. Camden County Technical, 4 p.m.
9/16 Kingsway Regional, 4 p.m.
9/19 at Sterling, 4 p.m.
9/21 vs. Our Lady of Mercy, 4 p.m.
9/23 at Moorestown, 4 p.m.
9/26 vs. Pleasantville, 4 p.m.
10/3 at Clearview Regional, 4 p.m.
10/4 at Pennsauken Tech, 4 p.m.
10/6 at Woodrow Wilson, 4 p.m.
10/10 vs. Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
10/12 at Lenape, 4 p.m.
10/13 at Northern Burlington, 4 p.m.
10/14 vs. Shawnee, 3:45 p.m.
10/15 at Burlington County Meet at Moorestown, 8 a.m.
10/17 at Camden County Technical School Sicklerville , 4 p.m.
10/19 at Cherry Hill West, 4 p.m.
10/21 vs. Paul VI, 4 p.m.
10/24 vs. Camden, 4 p.m.
10/26 vs. Moorestown, 4 p.m.
10/28 vs. Cinnaminson, 4 p.m.

SHAWNEE RENEGADES
9/8 at Williamstown, 7 p.m.
9/10 at Williamstown Tournament
9/12 vs. Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
9/14 at Moorestown, 3:45 p.m.
9/16 at Clearview Regional, 3:45 p.m.
9/19 vs. Lenape, 3:45 p.m.
9/21 at Rancocas Valley Regional, 3:45 p.m.
9/23 vs. Winslow Twp., 3:45 p.m.
9/24 at Cherokee Tournament
9/26 vs. Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
10/1 Moorestown BC Open
10/3 at Camden Catholic, 3:45 p.m.
10/5 vs. Washington Twp., 3:45 p.m.
10/6 vs. Cherokee, 3:45 p.m.
10/11 at Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
10/12 at W. Windsor-Plainsboro S., 5:15 p.m.
10/14 at Seneca, 3:45 p.m.
10/19 vs. Clearview Regional, 3:45 p.m.
10/21 vs. Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.
10/24 at Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
10/26 at Winslow Twp., 3:45 p.m.
10/27 vs. Dig Pink vs. Cherokee, 4 p.m.
10/28 vs. Camden County Technical, 3:45 p.m.
10/29 at Eastern Tournament

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP MINUTEMAIDS
9/1 at Clearview, 10 a.m.
9/8 at Cherokee, 5:30 p.m.
9/12 vs. Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.
9/14 at Cherry Hill West, 4 p.m.
9/16 vs. Rancocas Valley, 4 p.m.
9/19 at Pennsauken, 3:45 p.m.
9/21 vs. St. Josephs, 3:45 p.m.
9/22 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
9/26 vs. Clearview, 4 p.m.
9/28 at Moorestown, 5:30 p.m.
10/3 vs. Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
10/5 at Shawnee, 4 p.m.
10/6 vs. Absegami, 4 p.m.
10/11 vs. Winslow, 3:45 p.m.
10/13 vs. Cherokee, 4 p.m.
10/14 at Lenape, 4 p.m.
10/19 vs. Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
10/24 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
10/26 at Rancocas Valley, 4 p.m.
10/28 vs. Lenape, 4 p.m.

Photo: Cherokee’s Grace Streicher (right) celebrates with teammate Claire Bennett.

Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family’s High School Fall Sports Preview, August, 2011.
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