HITTING THEIR STRIDE: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Kaelin Bobetich goes up for a big hit in recent action. Last Friday, junior star Bobetich contributed nine kills, five digs, and two blocks to help top-seeded PHS defeat fourth-seeded Jackson Memorial 2-0 (25-9, 25-8) in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 sectional semis. The Tigers, who improved to 25-1 with the win, were slated to host third-seeded Middletown South (22-6) in the sectional final on November 12 with the victor advancing to the Group 3 state semis on November 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Many coaches aim to have their teams peaking as they head into postseason action but not Patty Manhart.

Having guided her Princeton High girls’ volleyball team to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state title last season and the squad to a 25-1 record this fall and a spot in the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional final, PHS head coach Manhart strives to have her players clicking on all cylinders any time they step on the court.

“Instead of having to raise the level at each step, I want them to be at the top of their game every time,” said Manhart, whose top-seeded Tigers were slated to host third-seeded Middletown South (22-6) in the sectional final on November 12 with the victor advancing to the Group 3 state semis on November 14.

“The way that it is formatted, we are going to start with lower seeds and then make your way up. I tell the girls, I don’t want you to have to elevate each time with each round. I want you to just play at the top of your game and win in a dominant way. We just practice being consistent as we make our way toward the 16th (the Group 3 state final).”

Looking to sharpen its game heading into the state tournament, PHS topped formidable foes Paul VI 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-10) on October 28 and Union Catholic 2-0 (25-18, 25-20) on October 30 to wrap up regular season action.

“I hope it gives our girls the right level of confidence knowing that we can beat top teams in the state and establish our level of play,” said Manhart. “Paul VI really challenged us on defense. Union Catholic really pushed us on serve receive. It is keeping those lessons of what we had to do in those games to carry it through.”

Taking the first step in their bid for a title repeat, the Tigers topped eighth-seeded Northern Burlington 2-0 (25-14, 25-5) in the sectional quarterfinals last Wednesday.

“I think it shows they played hard, like we are ready for the next game,” said Manhart, reflecting on the win. “We know that there is work to do before we get there, we are ready for this big final push this week.”

Junior Charlotte Woods starred in the win, contributing five kills and nine digs.

“Charlotte is just such a smart hitter,” said Manhart, who got 11 kills from junior star Naomi Lygas in the victory with senior Lois Matsukawa tallying 20 assists and 20 service points. “She is aggressive, she is able to mix up her shot to see what is open. She is able to use the block, she is someone who is really multi-faceted. She scores points at the right time for us.”

On Saturday, the Tigers keep rolling, defeating fourth-seeded Jackson Memorial 2-0 (25-9, 25-8) in the sectional semis.

“I was a little surprised by the speed of those games, especially in the second set,” said Manhart. “I knew they had one good server that got a couple of points off of us and then it kind of turned it around and ran from there. Charlotte had a really great service run at the end of the second set. I expect the strengths to show at this point of the season.”

The Tigers got a strong performance against Jackson Memorial from junior Kaelin Bobetich, who had nine kills, two blocks, and five digs.

“Kaelin is not someone who is always going to swing even though she is really powerful,” said Manhart. “She will rip it down the line if she sees an open spot on the court. She has that really nice, soft touch and smart hitting IQ to just put the ball where it needs to go.”

Looking ahead to the matchup with Middletown South, Manhart was confident that the Tigers could keep going in the tournament.

“They look really consistent as we scout them, I think we should be OK if we play like how we have been playing,” said Manhart. “They are a team that is really good at the fundamentals, they have a couple of girls that can hit and are able to put it away. If we really push them and we challenge them on receive and defense, they won’t be able to do what they are good at and that is going to help us win.”

In Manhart’s view, the experience of winning the state title last year should give her squad an edge down the stretch.

“We know what to expect, we understand the path ahead and we have a very clear vision of what that looks like,” said Manhart. “Instead of last year having to imagine what it would feel like or predict what to expect, it is now we know what to expect and we want to get there again. We know what we need to do so there are no unknowns. The bar is high for this team but rightfully so. I think everyone is doing well, it is definitely a team effort right now.”