SPECIAL K: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Kaelin Bobetich hits a serve in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, sophomore star Bobetich contributed seven kills, 11 digs, and two blocks as PHS topped Northern Highlands 2-0 (25-11, 25-20). The Tigers, who topped WW/P-North 2-0 (25-11, 25-13) last Monday to improve to 15-0, play at Northern Burlington on October 5 before hosting the Lawrenceville School on October 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kaelin Bobetich didn’t waste any time making an impact as the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team hosted Northern Highlands last Saturday morning in a clash of state powerhouses.

Sophomore opposite hitter Bobetich came up with several big hits at the net as PHS jumped ahead 4-1 over the Highlanders and built its lead to 14-2 lead on the way to winning the first set 25-11.

“The mindset was just to play really hard and do our best, I was so excited,” said Bobetich. “I really like getting kills in the first set because I feel it just sets the tone for the whole match. It made us feel really comfortable so we could just play our best.”

In the second set, PHS weathered a rally by Northern Highlands to prevail 25-20 and close out a 2-0 victory and move to 14-0.

“The other team came out playing harder,” said Bobetich, who ended up with seven kills, 11 digs and two blocks in the victory. “I think we responded as well. We were missing more than we were in the first set.”

The triumph marked the second big victory for PHS in a week as they had rolled to a 2-0 win (25-20, 25-4) over a highly ranked Paul VI squad on September 22. The Tigers have risen up the NJ.com Top 20 poll and are now ranked No. 4 in the state.

“That was our best win,” said Bobetich of the victory over Paul VI, then ranked No. 4 in the NJ.com poll. “Today was definitely is a statement win, especially because this team is in the Top 20.”
In assessing the squad’s sizzling start, Bobetich points to the bonds between her and some of the team’s other top stars.

“I think it is because we have been playing together so long,” said Bobetich. “Lois [Matsukawa], Naomi [Lygas], and Charlotte [Woods] have been playing together for a really long time. We play for Princeton Volleyball Club. I have been playing with Charlotte and Lois since I was 11 years old and I am 15 now.”

Bobetich’s play has pressed with one high school season under her belt.

“I think this year I am a better player because I know more what is going on the court,” said Bobetich. “My court sense is better.”

Demonstrating her improved court sense, Bobetich moved into a different role for the squad when Matsukawa was sidelined recently.

“Lois was out for a week so I had to step into setter,” said Bobetich. “I like setting, it is a big responsibility.”

PHS head coach Patty Manhart was confident that her squad would step up in the matchup against Northern Highlands.

“Looking at Group 3 power points wise, they were only a couple of spots behind us and they are from the north so we really don’t know those teams,” said Manhart. “We knew that they had a really good record. We definitely watched game film. We talked about their strengths and weaknesses. We prepped for this game. We look forward to our out of conference games. We definitely see it as a test.”

The Tigers passed that test with flying colors, setting the tone with their opening salvo against the Highlanders.

“They know how important it is to come out strong, to build their own sense of confidence and knowing that they can beat this team,” said Manhart. “They really put everything into those first couple of points, maybe Northern Highlands was a little bit rattled. They definitely had a better second set. They came back in the second set but my girls hung tough and got the job done.”

PHS showed some grit in the second set as it held off the Highlanders.

“There were a lot of clutch plays, there were some serve receives that we had gotten stuck in before,” said Manhart. “The fact that later in the second set, they could side out and get the ball back right away shows real toughness.”

Facing formidable opponents should help the Tigers come through in the clutch down the stretch of the season.

“We need to get used to playing high stakes and tougher teams and being in that position so that way we learn how to stay loose, play our game and trust ourselves,” said Manhart. “We want to have these tests before we go into the postseason.”

Manhart credits Bobetich with bringing a lot of game to the Tigers.

“She had been setting while Lois was out, I think she was just so excited to get back to her usual position,” said Manhart. “Kaelin, Naomi, and Charlotte were recently described as a three-headed monster so to have that hitter back in was exciting. You want a balanced attack on a top team, you can’t just rely on one person. You need to be able to move the ball around. Having her back in the rotation at her usual spot was really helpful.”

The superb play of sophomore standout Lygas, who had seven kills and six digs against Northern Highlands, has been a constant for the Tigers.

“She is amazing, she is cool, calm and collected,” said Manhart. “Naomi gets it done, she is never afraid to swing. She is very smart on defense, her serving is always strong. It is everything — she is going to be that staple.”

The team’s third sophomore star, Woods, is having a strong campaign.

“I love that Charlotte is a smaller outside, she is not afraid to swing big and crank the ball through the block,” said Manhart of Woods, who had five kills and six digs against the Highlanders. “When she is able to get those really big points, they usually come at good times for us. Charlotte is always impressive too.”

Junior setter Matsukawa has developed into the steadying force who runs the show for PHS. She contributed 15 assists and two digs in the win on Saturday.

“You cohere around your setter, everything is just able to run smoother,” said Manhart. “We knew this week we had conference games against teams we beat the first time around so we felt OK having Lois rest. The game plan was for her to come back today. She is that glue and meld and we play our best game when she is on the court. She runs our offense, she keeps us calm and together, so it is great to have her back.”

At the key libero spot, junior Pearl Agel sparks the Tiger defensive effort.

“We needed passing and defense against this team, we knew they had good hitters out of the middle and out of the outside,” said Manhart of Agel, who contributed 15 digs against the Highlanders. “Pearl had a lot of good digs and a lot of good touches. Block coverage was something she did well today. They had a tall front row, just being able to keep those points alive on our side made a big difference. We were able to win those longer rallies.”

While Manhart is excited by her team’s hot start, she believes that it has to maintain its competitive fire and balance to produce a big finish.

“We are halfway through the season, how we start is important and it is nice that we are getting accolades,” said Manhart, whose team topped WW/P-North 2-0 (25-11, 25-13) last Monday to improve to 15-0 and plays at Northern Burlington on October 5 before hosting Lawrenceville School on October 9.

“I like it and it gives us confidence. I am concerned with how we finish and just being able to stay consistent and stay healthy. The core group of girls who are in the starting lineup came back and are just stronger than before. All of the girls who might be in those other positions at middle still do a really nice job. They are important in the front row getting blocks and getting touches. So that fact that we have that strong team effort is what keeps us going. I think if a team scouts us, they can’t necessarily pick apart one thing. It is balanced, that is what helps.”

In Bobetich’s view, the squad’s big three sophomores can make the difference down the stretch.

“We are a tight group; being the three hitters on the team we all connect with each other really well,” said Bobetich. “It makes the communication on the court great.”