Teams to Watch Out for in 2021: East Brunswick
As we have transitioned into 2021, the high school volleyball season is in sight and creates an unprecedented opportunity that many presumed would not take place. Some teams had solid seasons but have…
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Continue ReadingAs we have transitioned into 2021, the high school volleyball season is in sight and creates an unprecedented opportunity that many presumed would not take place. Some teams had solid seasons but have the opportunity to do something great who did not land on top of their conference last season. One of these teams is East Brunswick.
East Brunswick is a team that had a solid season a year ago and will have almost everyone returning. One focal point who is gone is Angelina Josiah who was a middle blocker and led the team in blocks. With so many returning who will be stepping into their senior seasons with the team’s 6-2 setup.
East Brunswick is coming off a solid fall 2019 campaign where they went 17-8. East Brunswick finished last season third in their GMC division behind powerhouses J.P. Stevens and Colonia with a sixth-place finish overall in the Greater Middlesex Conference. However, the team hit their stride as the season went along. The squad lost in the quarterfinals of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament to Piscataway. They then went on a run in the NJSIAA Group 4 Tournament where they lost in the semifinals to Williamstown. East Brunswick avenged their losses to J.P. Stevens by eliminating them in the NJSIAA. This is a team that has the potential to build off of their late success last season.
Some critical players returning for East Brunswick are Paige Anania Paige Anania 5'5" | OH East Brunswick | 2022 State NJ , Hailey Benesz, Ysabella Sapienza Ysabella Sapienza 5'7" | S East Brunswick | 2022 State NJ and Laurel Sheard. Anania is coming off a solid sophomore campaign as the focal point of the East Brunswick offense. Going into her junior season, she will flourish being in her number role. She finished with 159 kills and 135 digs last year. Watch out for her beat those numbers even in a shorter season.
Hailey Benesz is the partner-in-crime with Anania. She had a solid junior and is one of the many girls’ who are going into their senior season. Anania had a solid campaign and her versatility is what makes her lethal offensively. She finished with 138 kills and 104 digs last season.
Lastly, we have the setter’s duo of Sapienza and Sheard. Both are critical to the offense; East Brunswick runs where the one in the back row is the setter. Both of them shared the offense and are excellent passers where both finished with 230 plus assists. These two are the engines of the team and without their critical play, the offense does not flow.
My only concern for East Brunswick is their division in a shortened-season. As I mentioned, Colonia and J.P. Stevens are in their division which makes winning the conference difficult. East Brunswick was able to beat J.P. Stevens in the playoffs but did not beat Colonia. They need to showcase the confidence that they believe they can because they have the talent to do so.
This squad has 10 out of the 11 players from last season returning which gives them a significant advantage and increased expectations. Don’t be surprised if this squad raises some eyebrows not just in the GMC but in the entire state of NJ.