Team looks for big surge in states
by John E. Powers, Sports Writer
Hillsborough High School junior Jared Himelfarb has been directing the Raiders’ volleyball team for three seasons. But now, Himelfarb is directing the program’s most finely tuned machine that may be on its way to a very special post-season run.
The Raiders started this week with a 14-4 record and an eight- game winning streak. The state tournament seeding cutoff date was Wednesday with pairings to be released Friday.
Hillsborough was set to play host to Plainfield Monday, then play at Watchung Hills Tuesday before finishing the regular-season with a home “senior day” match with Hunterdon Central. Three games that gave the team the chance of heading into the state playoffs with a program-best 17-4 record.
Last year, the team finished at 16-4 after making the state playoffs for the first time, winning a round (Cherry Hill West) before losing a round (Christian Brothers Academy).
”We’re playing like a veteran team now,” HHS head coach Todd Sudol said.
The Raiders, just in their fourth year, are playing like a team intent on making a longer run in the states this year. The state tournament begins Tuesday.
”We’ve found a lineup that fits us,” said Himelfarb, who had something of a career week as the Raiders knocked off Marlboro (25-15, 25-17), West Windsor North (25-20, 25-27, 25-16) and Passaic Valley (25-18, 15-25, 27-25). “We’ve put the pieces together and everyone is working hard and playing their role.”
Himelfarb, who has a team-leading 319 assists, had 35 assists as the team beat West Windsor North and 34 in the win against Passaic Valley. He said the team has received a boost from Sudol’s decision to move senior Andrew Ortega from outside hitter to libero. The libero is responsible for receiving the attack or serve. Players in that spot are usually those with the quickest reaction time and best passing skills.
”We needed to build up our defense and Andrew has stepped up,” Sudol said. “He’s a defensive specialist. He’s one of the guys who makes sure that Jared gets the ball. Andrew and Jared are working together.
”Andrew is very quick on his feet,” Sudol added.
Ortega had 16 digs in the West Windsor North game.
”It’s been a key difference for us,” Himelfarb said. “It has helped a lot. Before, I was controlling both sides the defense and offense, but now I can concentrate on directing the offense.”
The Raiders’ senior core led by Chris Fedroff (95 kills), Kyle Downey (66 kills) and Joey Caratozzolo (65 kills, 41 blocks) has provided great leadership, Sudol said.
Junior Justin Tien has 64 kills. Sophomore Krystian Pescinski has also contributed, registering six kills and two blocks against Marlboro.
”We’ve got great senior leadership and they are helping to maintain the focus for our younger guys,” said Sudol, adding that assistant coach Rob Longo’s junior varsity team is 12-5. “The idea is to finish strong.”
The nurturing of the younger players will hopefully pay off with a long tournament run.
”We’re hoping to do some big things,” Caratozzolo said. “We want to leave our mark.”
Sudol said that the team is playing its best.
”It’s not like I have to have a lot of meetings with these guys,” Sudol said. “They realize what their goals are and they go out and perform. Lately we’ve been building our confidence regardless of who’ve we played. We’re playing to prepare for the state tournament and the guys are getting more and more comfortable. It reminds me of our swim team. We’re peaking at the right time and playing our best volleyball of the season right now.”
The state tournament is split into two sections North I-II and Central and South. Sudol said he believes the team will be seeded between 10th and 13th. Last year, the club was 13th and got a home game. Another strong week also could catapult the Raiders into a top 20 state ranking.
”We’re meshing,” Caratozzolo said. “We’re finding better combinations.”