In unprecedented fashion, the Secaucus girls’ volleyball team won its seventh consecutive NJSIAA Group I state championship last Saturday, defeating Cresskill in straight games, 15-9, 15-12, at William Paterson University.
No other New Jersey volleyball team has won more than four straight state titles. With the victory, the Secaucus volleyball queens become the first program in any NJSIAA-sanctioned sport to capture as many as seven consecutive state crowns.
With the victory, the Secaucus volleyball program has captured 16 state championships in the prestigious career of head coach Maria Nolan, the only coach to win 500 career matches. Only Stafford High School in Arizona has captured more state titles nationwide, with 21.
While the Patriots had to resort to some miraculous play in each of the last two state championship finals against Cresskill (1999) and Bogota (last year), this year’s finale was almost anti-climatic.
The Patriots took control from the outset of the match and never looked back, winning in two straight games for the 23rd time in 24 matches this season. The Patriots have also won 41 straight matches, dating back to last year. This comes after the Patriots won their previous 68 matches, meaning that they have a 109-1 record over the last four years.
Nolan was her typical nervous self in the hours prior to the state finale.
"I’m always anxious, because you never know how they’re going to play," said Nolan, who began her career with a less-than-memorable 2-12 season in 1975, but has been winning ever since, compiling a career mark of 520-69. "You want them to have a good showing in the state finals and you hope that you never lose. So I’m always nervous because you never know."
Added Nolan, "You then get to a point where you just need the match to begin. Just get out there and play. After winning so many times, you want to remain that way. You know how good it feels and you want to keep that feeling. I’m always worried that I have to give up that feeling. However, I could tell that our team was ready, because they executed what we wanted to do right from the beginning. It all started to fall into place. We took control from the start."
The reason for the Patriots’ success in the finale stems from incredible confidence that they all had entering the title match.
"We definitely had confidence and we were not as nervous as I thought we would be," said senior Katy Cannon, who played a key role in each of the last three state championship teams. "We knew so much about Cresskill, so we had a lot of confidence. And I could see in their eyes that they looked scared of us. All of a sudden, we just relaxed and played well."
"It was weird," said junior Lindsay Flora. "We had so much intensity and they had none."
"They went out in two games," said senior Justine Muzones. "We had to prove something that we were Secaucus."
The Patriots were seriously never threatened throughout the match, even though Cresskill was seeded higher in the 24-team tournament.
"Everyone underestimated us this year," said senior Tracy Gregorio. "They didn’t think we could do it. Everyone doubted us. But we came through in the end."
Cannon said that there was a lot of pressure in trying to keep the streak alive.
"Since we were seniors, it was very stressful for us to be able to go out with a win," said Cannon, who had a 74-1 varsity record in three years, along with Muzones. "We didn’t want to be the ones to break the streak. So when we won, we were relieved, but excited and happy as well. I felt we could breathe now, because we won."
Even the reserves felt a sense of importance in the victory.
"Just watching them play," said sophomore Jessica Barone. "I felt inspired. I think it was very inspiring to everyone."
Nolan said that this team had a major difference than other Secaucus teams.
"I think what this team had going for it was great athleticism and quickness," Nolan said. "But they also got along so well together and had a great time. I have to admit. I was one of those who thought that this could be the year, but these kids worked so hard together to make sure that we won again."
And although the Patriots graduate five seniors, namely Muzones, Cannon, Gregorio, Alexandra Schumann and Nadine Kureshi, there are plenty of talented players returning, like Heather Aciz and the Flora twins, that the Patriots could make a run at No. 8.
"It happens every year," Nolan said. "We lose players and then we’re fortunate to have players who can fill in. We just keep doing the same thing."
Obviously.
Pictured
The Secaucus girls’ volleyball team won the NJSIAA Group I state championship last Saturday, defeating Cresskill, earning the seventh straight state title (and 16th overall). Back row, from left; assistant coach Linda Coar, manager Jeselyn Pena, Heather Aciz, Lisa Totaro, Alexandra Schumann, Diana Rubio, manager Tara Glaeser and head coach Maria Nolan. Front row, from left, are; Nadine Kureshi, Ashley Flora, Justine Muzones, Tracy Gregorio, Katy Cannon, Lindsay Flora, Jessica Barone and Principal Pat Impreveduto.