The East Brunswick High School girls volleyball team is riding high with a 15-1 record under first-year coaches Melissa Krauss and Tiffany Aziz, with five more games left and the Nov. 1 Greater Middlesex Conference tourney looming.
“We love the way the girls are performing,” said Krauss. “It show’s they’re playing hard and working hard.”
Junior center Andrea Temkin is one of the team’s motivating forces.
“She’s a very strong leader, and she runs the offense out there,” said Krauss.
The Bears also have some talented seniors at the forefront. Kristen Semeniak, at center and opposite, is an outstanding server, while Anna Chesnakova is in the middle.
“She’s a very, very positive and outgoing influence, and has impressed me from the beginning,” said Krauss. “She’s constantly improving her serve.”
Marissa Nadeau, in the middle, is tough and aggressive on the court, and Jennifer Strapko shows a great deal of consistency. Rounding out the 12th-graders is Jessica Galutz, a strong outside hitter.
So is Melissa Savis, among a junior contingent including opposite Andrea Ruffner, middle hitter Ivana Kapetanovick, outside player Kristina Borisova, and Brittney Price. Sophs on the squad are Michelle Sempkowski on the outside and opposite Allanah Miller.
The Bears played stiff rival J.P. Stevens yesterday, and have a meeting with Edison tomorrow. Next week brings South Brunswick.
“They’ll pose a real challenge for us,” Krauss said.
— Richard Jerome