Girls Volleyball: Balsamo, Horowitz set records for East Brunswick

Teammates Samantha Balsamo and Jordyn Horowitz have a lot in common as volleyball players.

They both played for the same club team in the seventh grade, they've both played for the East Brunswick High School girls volleyball team since their freshman year, and recently they both set school records for the Bears. 

Horowitz, a senior outside hitter, recorded her 500th kill in a 2-0 victory over J.P. Stevens on Sept. 26 and became the first player in East Brunswick program history to reach the milestone. 

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"I think three games before I hit the 500 is when it hit me that I would reach it, I didn’t know it was a school record until I hit it," Horowitz said. "As of last year I don’t think this was on my mind, but thinking I would reach the school record it definitely was an experience, and I think it really reflects the hard work, not just me, but that everyone puts in. And it’s definitely an achievement that’s reachable for anyone that puts in the time and effort."

Horowitz, the reigning Home News Tribune Girls Volleyball Player of the Year, finished with 190 kills as a sophomore, then exploded for 264 kills as a junior. She has 89 kills so far this season, along with two assists, eight blocks and 57 digs. 

"It definitely feels like an accomplishment," Horowitz said. "I know I’m not just talking for myself but for the team. We’ve been working hard in practice, and that’s what made it possible."

Not to be outdone, Balsamo, a senior setter, set a school record herself, reaching 1,000 career assists in a 2-0 win over Monroe last Friday. She finished with nine to reach the milestone. 

"When I came in as a freshman, I started as a freshman on varsity, and from that point I set goals for myself," Balsamo said. "When I was a freshman it was to make varsity and be on the team, and from there it was to slowly start to get to this point, so ever since freshman year it’s kind of been in the back of my mind that I wanted to achieve that goal."

Balsamo had  43 assists her freshman year, then added 484 her sophomore year and 316 her junior year. She has 157 assists, 18 kills, four blocks and 38 digs so far this season as the Bears are 10-2. 

"I think assists was a huge thing for me because I was a setter during high school more often than not," Balsamo said. "When I look at stats, I want to be well-rounded. I had a coach tell me you’re not just a setter, you’re not just an outside hitter, you’re a volleyball player. I wanted to make sure I was a well-rounded player, and coach (Christian) Portera did a great job making sure that I was well-rounded and has made me the player I am, and I’m thankful for that."

With five regular season games left on the schedule, and the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament set to start Oct. 19 with the preliminary round, both Horowitz and Balsamo have time to cement their place in East Brunswick volleyball history.

"We’ve been playing together for a while now and seeing her achieve that milestone was awesome, and it was exciting to share that experience," Horowitz said of Balsamo. "She’s a team player, and she definitely works hard. She doesn’t let the team down, she brings energy on the court and keeps everyone staying positive."

Horowitz will head off to Gettysburg next year, while Balsamo is committed to Susquehanna. While those schools aren't in the same conference, Balsamo said she'll still get to play opposite Horowitz at some point during the season. 

"It’s incredible, I feel like we’re kind of family and she’s a sister to me," Balsamo said of Horowitz. "Going through everything together, the ups and downs of playing a sport and a team sport, we push each other. If Jordyn wants to go faster or I want to run a certain play, we’re up to trying it and seeing how it works, and then we’re doing it in a game situation. To be able to push each other and have someone to push you, it’s incredible."

Staff Writer Lauren Knego: lknego@gannettnj.com; on Twitter: @laurenknego