500 CLUB: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Naomi Lygas hits a serve in recent action. Last Thursday, sophomore star Lygas totaled a match-high 12 kills, including the 500th kill of her career, to help top-seeded PHS defeat fifth-seeded Brick Memorial 2-0 (25-14, 25-7) in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 semis. The Tigers, who improved to 27-1 with the win, were slated to host third-seeded Moorestown in the sectional final on November 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Naomi Lygas and the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team, it proved to be an historic afternoon last Thursday as the Tigers hosted Brick Memorial in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 semis.

Sophomore outside hitter Lygas starred as top-seeded PHS rolled to a 2-0 (25-14, 25-7) win over the fifth-seeded Mustangs, contributing a match-high 12 kills along with five digs as the Tigers advanced to their second straight sectional final and second in program history. Lygas made some personal history, recording the 500th kill of her career late in the second set.

With PHS having lost 2-1 to Colts Neck in the sectional final last year, the Tiger players were fired up to make a return trip to the title game.

“We always remember what happened last year and how we don’t want a repeat of that again,” said Lygas. “So I think one of our big motives is just continuing to push forward, everybody else wants the same thing and we did. We just have a mindset that we want it more. We want to get as far as we can because we know that we can. It is just important that we get there.”

PHS, which improved to 27-1 with the win over the Mustangs, was slated to face third-seeded Moorestown (17-6) in the sectional final on November  7.

Lygas and her teammates were looking forward to taking on the Quakers.

“We thrive under pressure,” said Lygas. “We like having that competition and we like having a motive to win where everybody is driven to play well.”

Against Brick, the Tigers fell behind 3-0 in the first set before junior Lois Matsukawa’s solid serving helped PHS go on a 5-0 run and take the lead for good.

“I think sometimes we start out a little slow, coming in after a warmup,” said Lygas. “We always have a mindset to start out fast and push through. Lois really helped out with her serve to give us some motivation. We got used to each other and connected.”

In the second set, the Tigers finished fast as they dominated Brick Memorial.

“I think that is one of our other bigger motives, to make sure that we don’t fizzle out,” said Lygas. “We won the first set but we knew that Brick was going to come out wanting it. We knew that this was possibly their last game of the season. We wanted to make sure that we stayed focused.”

Displaying her focus, Lygas was a force at the net as the Tigers pulled away.

“I was more driven, I wanted to hit the ball harder,” said Lygas. “I feel like sometimes I have to tell myself, swing more, shoot less. I like to hit shots a lot.”

In addition, Lygas was driven to hit the 500-kill milestone.

“I am so excited, I needed 12,” said Lygas. “I knew for a while that I was creeping up on it. I was really looking forward to hitting. I wanted it to be a good hit, I didn’t want my 500 to be like a tip. I wanted it to be a good swing.”

Having piled up a team-high 312 kills so far this season, Lygas has made good progress in her second high school campaign.

“I have been working on jumping higher, being more consistent and being able to swing harder,” said Lygas. “I am working on being more positive and energetic.”

For Lygas, playing with libero Pearl Agel and Matsukawa has had a positive impact on her play.

“I feel like sometimes Pearl doesn’t get enough recognition, she sets the point in play by putting up these passes,” said Lygas. “Lois does an amazing job setting; she puts these passes where we want the balls to go. Everybody is so consistent, it is like a fun time on the courts.”

Competing with Agel and Matsukawa along with classmates Kaelin Bobetich and Charlotte Woods outside of school, has helped Lygas have more fun on the court with the PHS squad.

“I think part of it is that we are all so close, we all know each other so well,” said Lygas. “Me, Lois, Charlotte, Kaelin, and Pearl all play club together. We have grown to be closer even without the extra club stuff through the team bonding and just having good, fun practices.”

PHS head coach Patty Manhart credits her players’ dedication with playing a big role in the team’s success.

“I think what makes us special and unique is the commitment year round, these girls are never out of season,” said Manhart. “It is just full steam ahead. They are relentless and just keep getting better and better. It is definitely a privilege as a coach to be able to have a group of girls that can make that commitment because it is not easy. It is something I don’t have control of. For that to be where everyone is, being dedicated 100 percent and able to play, it makes my life easy.”

The Tigers displayed their relentless nature against Brick, overcoming the early deficit.

“I feel like we tend to start a little slow and then we just have to find that momentum and work into it,” said Manhart. “It is just a matter of once they figure out how to score, you are fine. You just have to get the pass up, it is that little moment of settling in that is always there on serve receive. As soon as we figure it out, we are good.”

It was very good for Lygas to achieve the 500-kill milestone.

“That is what we wanted to happen, we wanted her to hit 500,” said Manhart. “That was the goal, that was the energy. That was what we were going for. It helped push the tempo, her and Lois have a connection.”

Matsukawa helped push the offense with a match-high 19 assists while Agel keyed the defense with seven digs and two assists.

“Even in the more pressure situations, Lois is
going to be level-headed and ready to go, she is so reliable,” said Manhart. “Pearl is awesome, defense is such an important part of the game, being able to get balls up. She is able to cover so much of the court and really make a difference.”

Teaming at the net with Lygas, Bobetich also starred against the Mustangs, totaling six kills and nine digs.

“I was so happy with Kaelin, she was scoring clutch points,’ said Manhart. “When we needed to side out at certain times, she was the one to get that kill. That really made a big difference. We can always count on her for serves and those clutch moments too on offense.”

Making a second straight sectional final was big for the PHS program.

“Being home is huge, this is our gym, we have a certain expectation,” said Manhart. “What it means is a chance at a title we have never won before, making school history. That is a really big deal, I think the girls know what that means.”

For Lygas, getting back to the final was just one step as the Tigers look to make a lot of history this fall.

“I really want to win this time because last time it was a heartbreaker; I know we could have won that game,” said Lygas. “We have what it takes this year for sure to win. Our team knows that it is important that we just stay motivated and continue be driven to win. Our goal is to get to the state finals and win. That is our above-all goal but we have to get past our mini goals to get there. We are focusing on this mini goal.”