After opening the year 0W-5L, the Lady Hilltoppers traveled to Scotch Plains to take on the Raiders in a non league match-up. Summit suffered a 2 game sweep with scores of 25-10 and 25-17 in a match that saw the Raiders make key plays out of less than perfect situations and the Hilltoppers not be able to do the same out of a stellar passing game.
Despite being down 5-1 early in game 1, the Hilltoppers serve receive, featuring for the first time Jocelyn Mendez as Libero, was putting quality balls up for the offense to attack. Entering rotation 6, SHS trailed 15-6 but the Hilltoppers pulled closer after Mendez's serve brought the team back to within 6 at 15-9. But then the wheels came off of the receive and attack game as the team could not get out of rotation 7 and trailed 22-9 before the rotation was done. Another 3-1 Raider run closed out the game 25-10 in a game that saw the Hilltoppers pass very well for most of the game -Mendez 2.50, Val Guzman 2.80- at 1.85 but could not convert on any attacking opportunities with the team hitting for only 4 kills and only 1 ace in the game.
Game 2 proved to be a bit more competitive with Summit finding themselves in a 13-13 tie by the end of a mere 3 rotations behind the serving prowess of Guzman who hit for 2 aces in 6 service point effort. Knotted at 15, Scotch Plains went on a 6-0 run that had the Raiders up for good 21-15. A 4-2 Raider run closed out the game and match 25-17. Yet again, the team passed at an outstanding rate -2.12- with Guzman and Mendez leading the way with 15 of the 24 serving receptions at a 2.41 rating. Despite the season best passing, the team could not generate more than 5 kills in the game, a big reason for the loss (5 K/ 5 Err).
Summit was led by Guzman and Mendez in serve reception (2.60 and 2.26 respectively). Guzman led all Hilltoppers with 5 digs, 3 kills and 2 aces while Casey Nardino led the offense with 4 kills and 2 blocks.
Summit was 24/27 (89%) from the service line but had only 3 aces for the match (11%).
JV SQUAD SWEPT IN 2
The JV Squad were handled by the Raiders 25-16, 25-15 in a match that saw the Hilltoppers miss many serves and attack opportunities. The Raiders held a 9-4 lead by rotation 3 and 18-8 by rotation 6. The writing was on the wall. Summit played fairly even from there on out (8-7 score) but could not muster much consistency against the Raider defense.
Game 2 was much of the same with the JV Squad missing serves and not being able to stop the Raider serving game. With the score 4-3 in favor of Summit, the Raiders went on a 10-0 run to blow the match open at 13-4. Yet again, the Maroon and White played even from that point on (11-12) but could not put a dent in that lead.
Summit was paced by Micaela Nardino who had 2 kills, 2 assists and 1 block in the loss and Cheryl Liu who led the team with 4 digs and 2 aces.
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