State Tournament: Key Takeaways from Round 2
The Quarterfinals are set! Some teams season will continue while others dreams have been dashed. In order to stand on top of the mountain, teams need to step up with key performances. Did any of the top teams struggle? Were…
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Continue ReadingThe Quarterfinals are set! Some teams season will continue while others dreams have been dashed. In order to stand on top of the mountain, teams need to step up with key performances. Did any of the top teams struggle? Were there any upsets? Let’s take a look at what I deem to be the key takeaways from Round 2.
Howell’s Upset Run Continues
Howell in the Central Section will continue their upset-filled tournament into the quarterfinals! This time it took everything they had as Colonia became the victim to their second-round upset. It took three hard-fought sets for Howell to come out on top, 26-24, 24-26, 25-16. The first two sets could’ve gone either way but in the third Howell took control and came out with the victory led by Collin Smith’s 43 assists. He was an absolute master with the ball.
First State Contender Eliminated
Many of the contenders to take home their group moved on without any issue. However, there was one slip-up. Hunterdon Central was stunned in the Central group by 14th seed Marlboro. Hunterdon Central took the first set but Marlboro responded to rally past one of the true contenders in this group. Many deemed Marlboro as a squad who was seeded too low but it does not take away from one of the favorites being taken out.
Top Performers
North 1
Itay Akad (Fair Lawn): 12 kills, 4 digs
Dylan Angner (Pope John): 3 kills, 9 digs, 25 assists
North 2
Nickolas Lima (Newark East Side): 31 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs
Faraz Bahatti (Union): 30 assists
Central
Nicholas Brzoska (Marlboro): 16 kills, 5 digs
Vinil Shah (Hillsborough): 11 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs
South
Carson Howard (Lacey): 7 kills, 3 digs, 7 aces
Preston Forchion (Gloucester Tech): 21 kills, 3 blocks, 26 digs