Sep 07, 2022
SJV Girls’ Volleyball Team Hungry for Another Conference Title
By Shanna O’Mara
The 2021 Saint John Vianney girls’ volleyball team won the Shore Conference Tournament and is back in search of more victory.
Following a successful 2021 season which included a Shore Conference Tournament title, the Saint John Vianney girls’ volleyball team is looking to strike down their opponents again. Although the team graduated several talented athletes, this year’s squad has the talent and experience necessary to repeat victory.
Last year’s group finished the season with an outstanding 23-3 record, defeating rivals such as Red Bank Catholic and Donovan Catholic, before ultimately falling to Kent Place in the quarterfinals of the Non-Public A NJSIAA Tournament.
The 2022 team practices at Highline Arena in Aberdeen Township.
“When we’re championship ready, it’s because we’re putting the best six players out on the floor, and the next six best players are challenging them every day in practice,” said Head Coach Jessica Gadaleta. “The kids we’re going to see this year maybe didn’t get a ton of playing time last year, but they certainly got the experience competing against top talent every single day in practice. It’s a good group. It’ll have a different look and feel, just like very team does every year, but it’s a hungry bunch who’s hungry to make their own mark on the program. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they can do.”
This year’s captains are seniors Mikaela Hubbard and Ashley Sofilkanich. The roster also includes seniors Anushka Barodekar, Charlotte Dooley, Emily Krichevsky and Lucy Jackson; juniors Stephanie Buttons and Alexa Koopman; sophomores Alexa Bitterle, Nicole Giglio, Giana Pena, Sofia Russo and Brianna Slattery; and freshmen Genevieve Millet, Gianna Sergi and Taylor Sofilkanich.
