Nutley High School Girl’s Volleyball Team Wins Their Home Opener

Nutley High School’s Girl's Varsity Volleyball (NHSVB) team held their first home game of the season against Cedar Grove on October 3, 2022. The match started at 5:30 pm, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated high school gym.

Due to the gym's renovation, the girl's volleyball team traveled to their games for the majority of the month of September. The girls collectively were eager to play the first home game ever in the new gym. 

The first time the two teams matched up this season was on September 17, 2022. Nutley fell to Cedar Grove in two sets. Nutley put up a good fight scoring 18 points in the first set and 17 in the second. Sophomore Hannah Pollail made her varsity debut in this game recording 5 service points and 9 digs. Gabriella Somoza led the team in digs, Sasha Wanko led in blocks, and Elliana Poplawski led in kills.

Head Coach Emily Luberto said that the team has been working hard on serve receive, communication, and creative tactical skills. In the home opener, Nutley lost the first set of the match only recording 16 points against Cedar Grove. The Raiders persisted in the second set securing the win with a score of 27-25. Finishing the match with a tiebreaker, the team won the third set, 25-20. Elliana Poplawski led the team in kills totaling five. Out of 11 service points, setter, Ava Lage recorded 7 aces.

Coach Luberto said, “I believe our match against Cedar Grove was so successful because, as a team, we were able to adjust from our previous mistakes and execute many of these skills, every single play. I have no doubt that as our young team gains more experience and confidence that their execution of these skills will skyrocket.” This game drew in one of the largest crowds that NHSVB has seen in a long time. Luberto expressed concern about the noise level possibly affecting the team's concentration, yet it seemed to encourage a strong finish of a competitive match.

With their home opener, traveling is unofficially over for the NHS Girl’s Volleyball Team for this season. Luberto said, “I am personally very excited to see the team play on our home court. The new gym looks even more amazing, if possible, when the bleachers are filled with family, friends, and fans! I think I speak for the whole team when I say there is extra 'pep' in everyone's attitude when we are able to practice and play on the home court.”.