As the fall season brings outdoor sports like football, soccer, and cross country into the spotlight, indoor volleyball is also set to capture fans’ attention.
Montville Township High School’s girls volleyball team is gearing up for a challenging season on the court.
Montville head coach Angelica Maiello is optimistic about the upcoming season. “This group of seniors has already achieved a lot, and they’re not finished yet. I’m excited to see what more they can accomplish this year. We’re aiming to add more accolades to our banner,” Maiello said.
The Mustangs will rely on several experienced players this season, including seniors Cassandra Chauhan (middle blocker), Lauren Kideckel (middle blocker), Kaitlyn Chen (libero), Adrianna Pressimone (libero), Lena Unice (setter), and junior Maana Parikh (outside hitter).
New additions to the varsity team include seniors Natalia Maciag (outside hitter) and Kasia Koszyk (right side hitter), along with junior Guilia Duva (right side hitter). The team’s leadership and experience are expected to be significant assets.
“This year, with nine seniors, we have a strong team dynamic,” Maiello said. “We have four captains who have been on varsity for all four years. They are instrumental in guiding the team both in practice and games.”
Maiello highlighted senior middle hitter Cassandra Chauhan, who has recorded 570 career kills, and senior setter Lena Unice, who will lead the team’s offensive and strategic efforts.
Last season, the Mustangs achieved 13 wins, including four in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) American Division. They reached the NJSIAA State Group 2 semifinal but were defeated by Demarest. As the No. 6 seed, Montville won the North 2 Group 2 Sectional Tournament, defeating Caldwell, Morris Tech, Lyndhurst, and West Essex.
This year, the Mustangs will compete in the NJAC American Division against teams like Morristown, West Morris, Roxbury, Morris Knolls, and Sparta.
“We’re aiming to be highly competitive in our county and conference and to make a strong run in the state tournament,” Maiello said. “We’re in the top division and will face tough competition.”
Montville’s season opener will be held at home on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 5:30 p.m. against Millburn.
