Hunterdon Central volleyball crowned Group IV champs

For the second consecutive season, the Hunterdon Central girls volleyball team can add a Group IV championship to its trophy case.

Second-seeded Hunterdon Central came out victorious over top-seeded Williamstown in the NJSIAA Public Group IV Tournament final in straight sets, 25-22, 25-17, on Saturday afternoon.

“For our program this was a growth opportunity for us,” Hunterdon Central coach Stephen Fenton said about the win. “Coming off of our state championship last year, we're building this program into what I've been attempting to do since I got here in the beginning, and this was a nice culmination of it.”

Hunterdon Central (28-1) started the match strong, managing an early lead in the first set.

After a Williamstown timeout, the Braves (31-2) strung together points to close the gap and make it a tight game before the Red Devils gained momentum to take it.

“We were able to surge ahead and close out the first set,” Fenton said.

Hunterdon Central started off slow in the second set, but once it settled in, it broke away without turning back.

“My hat completely goes off to Williamstown,” Fenton said. “They have a competitve program down there, so we knew going into the game that it was going to be a very competitive match.”

Libero Meagan Kern had a clutch defensive game with 17 digs along with two aces. Right-side hitter Sarah Walsh contributed with 13 kills and two blocks, while Maria Pansari had 28 assists, two aces and four digs. Middle blocker Mackenzie Bruzzio had eight kills and a block.

“I call those kids my core four,” Fenton said. “They took over the match together and made it outstanding for us.”

With this win, Hunterdon Central earned its ticket to the Tournament of Champions on Saturday at William Paterson University. The second-seeded Red Devils will take on third-seeded Immaculate Heart Academy.

“My girls really believe in hard work and the aspect as family,” Fenton said. “As cliched as that sounds, we take that term very seriously, so we put those two things together, and it's just really a defining thing for our team and hopefully of what is to come.”

Staff Writer Alyssa Davis: adavis3@gannettnj.com