By Wayne Witkowski
Jackson Memorial High School’s girls volleyball players have had an added impetus in their start to preseason workouts, watching the American volleyball teams that both won bronze medals at the Olympic Games in Rio.
“They watched to see what it’s like at the next level,” coach Rich Ranney said. “The whole difference is their level of play. With setting, blocking and serving, there’s not much of a difference [in style]. We’re looking forward to a good season — looking to be competitive.”
Jackson Memorial, looking to bounce back into a typically contending season in the Shore Conference A South Division after winning only three games last fall, and Jackson Liberty High School, which is rebuilding from a 14-8 season last fall, are looking forward to their scrimmages that start this week before opening their seasons in early September.
Jackson Liberty welcomes back coach Melissa O’Neill, who returns from a one-year family leave of absence.
“It feels great to be back. I am extremely excited to return this year to a hard-working group of athletes who put everything they have into this game,” O’Neill said. “I am also excited to have Brian Chesley this year as my assistant coach. Having coached the boys team in the spring, Chesley will bring with him a strong knowledge of the game and a fresh perspective on conditioning.”
There are significant losses from last season that included winning the New Dorp High School Tournament on Staten Island, New York, with the graduations of Arjona Canka, Mackenzie Meglio, Trinity Basilotto and Taylor Cavanaugh. The Lions lost, 25-17, 25-21, to West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South in their NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group III tournament opener.
Despite the departures, there are some quality players returning, including setter Shayna Saltzman, outside hitters Brianna Nixon and Alexis Villalta, opposite hitter Brianna Mamrega and libero Jaclyn Emm, who are all seniors this fall, as well as rising junior middle hitters Lauren Coughlin and Paige Kowalski.
“I love how willing they are to put in the extra work it takes to excel,” O’Neill said. “They communicate well, push themselves and strive for perfection. With a core group of experienced players, we are currently working on catching younger girls up to speed on positioning and running team plays.”
Jackson Memorial will rely on two rising seniors in captain Shannon Asta, a middle hitter who can move to the outside and also is a solid setter, and Kayla Pinkham, a setter. In fact, the Jaguars will run two setters on offense. Madison Jeske, a junior, is the other.
Ranney said many of the players were on club teams in the offseason. They’re also versatile.
“That’s a difference with the team this year,” Ranney said.
Gabby Perez, who started as a freshman at libero last season, can play outside hitter with the way she hits the ball so well. Jenna Lopez, a rising senior, also is a libero.
Two strong players at the net are middle blocker Erin Megneco, a 5-foot-11 rising junior who is sharp with kills and with her defense, and Alexis Fryc, a talented 5-foot-6 outside hitter — a strong area of the team along with its defense, Ranney said.