Respect lacking for SBHS

By: Lance Manion
   The fact that the South Brunswick girls volleyball team has only lost three sets in its wins this fall speaks volumes on just how dominant the Vikings can be.
   And their 15-2 record speaks for itself.
   Yet, the fact that South Brunswick is no where to be found among the state’s Top 20 rankings has Vikings coach Shaun Ruyman admittedly baffled
   "I don’t really have an answer for it," said Ruyman after his team won three of its four matches and posted a second-place finish in a tournament full of statewide powerhouses at North Hunterdon last week. "We might not have the greatest (strength-of-schedule) but we’ve pretty much dominated everybody we’ve played with the exception of East Brunswick and Lawrenceville. Both of those teams are (in the Top 20), but we’ve also proven to be competitive against the best teams in the state, too.
   "I don’t know if we have a ‘chip on our shoulder,’ but it’s more of a feeling of ‘Why not us?’ ”
   Why not, indeed. The Vikings may be the state’s best-kept secret, a team getting it done behind a first-year coach and a collection of experienced standouts. Jordan Confessore, Nikki Weiss and April Thomas help form one of Middlesex County’s top lineups, a team whose only league blemish came at the hands of an undefeated (and ranked) East Brunswick squad two weeks ago.
   "That was a loss that left a bad taste in our mouths," Ruyman said. "We basically just gave away 11 service points, and collectively it was probably our worst performance of the season. But I think, if anything, the girls came away from that match knowing where they needed to improve and I think it can be a loss we’ll learn from down the line."
   The Vikings haven’t lost a Greater Middlesex Conference match since, sweeping Piscataway (25-8, 25-17), South Plainfield (25-8, 25-17) and J.P. Stevens (25-13, 25-23) this past week. Confessore averaged 5.3 kills and 4.1 blocks while Thomas combined to tally 25 assists in the three victories.
   Also getting the job done against J.P. Stevens were Kacey Kelly (7 kills, 3 aces, 3 digs) and Maggie Kowalska (7 kills, 1 block).
   That victory capped a string of eight matches in a 10-day span for the Vikings, who are poised to earn high seeds for both the GMC and NJSIAA tournaments later this month.
   "It’s really been a whirlwind stretch," Ruyman said, "so we’re welcoming a chance to unwind a bit."
   That doesn’t mean Ruyman expects his club to be taking the pedal off the metal anytime soon. The Vikings will get a chance to avenge their setback to East Brunswick with an Oct. 20 rematch, the same day the GMC Tournament will be seeded.
   "I think a lot of our errors in that match were mental," Ruyman said, "but this team has come a long way since then. We’ve really started to gel as a team, and I’m really happy with the level we’re playing at right now."
   A Top 20 level, Ruyman believes.