Seneca High School girls volleyball team breaks losing streak and school record

The Seneca High School girls volleyball team has had a number of amazing accomplishments this year, including breaking a losing streak and setting a school record.

Seneca’s girls volleyball team broke the record for the most wins in a season with 20, coming off a record of 19 last year. They also defeated the girls teams from Cherokee High School and Eastern High School for the first time in school history.

“The fact that we were able to come back (after graduating a good portion of the lineup) with 20 wins is an incredible accomplishment. We’re pretty excited about that,” coach Bob Colombo said.

Last year, the girls broke the school record for most wins in a season with 19. A number of the girls graduated, but Colombo said the returning players really stepped things up and lived up to expectations.

“A few players stepped up and filled in for those spots who graduated. They’ve done a really nice job,” Colombo said.

In practice, the team really focused on keeping up its ability to pass the ball as well as ways to set up an offense, making it difficult for opposing teams to return the ball. They also worked on hand and ball control.

A number of the returning players stood out this season, according to Colombo. However, Casee Bryan, Olivia Gordon and Tabitha Conard really accepted the challenge and shown bright. Bryan had more than 150 kills, and both Gordon and Conard have been putting in a great effort passing the ball.

Colombo acknowledged newcomers Devan Walker, as a setter, and Regan Tarasewicz, as an opposite hitter.

“Both of them are first-year varsity, and both had an awesome season,” Colombo said.

The girls reached 20 wins against Winslow Township High School on Oct. 28, resulting in a 20–5 regular season record.

Other accomplishments this season included the defeat of Cherokee and Eastern. The school also started its first freshman team this year as well.

“We’ve never beaten them before, and we (defeated) both of those teams this year,” Colombo said.

The girls defeated rival Shawnee High School on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2–0. Colombo said the girls started out strong, with Jenna Daunoras making two big blocks at the beginning of the first set, which Seneca won, 25–16. The second set, the girls were down by 6, but made up for it in the end to win 25–23.

“Aside from this being a playoff win, (Shawnee) has a really good team and it was a nice win for us,” Colombo said. “It was a very cool moment; It was our first playoff win, and beating all sister schools for first time ever is icing on the cake.”

The girls played against Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan for the next round of playoffs. According to Colombo, they are the №1 team and are looking forward to the competition. The girls fought hard, but fell to Old Tappan.

The Seneca girls volleyball team is both a team on and off the court. For their third year in a row, the girls helped to feed and clothe the homeless. They helped fill a bus with clothing, blankets and 200 bagged lunches and gave out the food to people in need. Some of the team members help by volunteering at a youth sports clinic.

“We’re all about the community service and team bonding,” Colombo said.