MOUNT OLIVE — Ava Diaz held the NJSIAA Group 3 North volleyball trophy tightly, with both arms. Amidst the chaotic back gym, the Mount Olive senior libero looked back on the season – and a chance to make history.
The Marauders held off North Hunterdon, 25-18, 25-23, 25-23, to clinch the sectional title and extend a confusing and challenging season.
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Diaz played libero for Mount Olive for the first time, just her second year at the defensive spot. But the big change impacted outside hitters Izabella Osoria and Olivia Drucks.
Instead of just stepping up at the net, both became setters – usually to each other. What head coach “modified 6-2” was the brainchild of assistant coach Lee Clowers back in preseason.
Mount Olive, NJ — November 6, 2024 — Izabella Osoria of Mt. Olive as Mount Olive defeated Northern Highlands 25-21, 22-25, 25-17 in the NJSIAA North 1, Grouop 3 girls volleyball quarterfinal.
It took a little while to adjust – noted in the Marauders’ lone loss at Randolph on Sept. 9 – but it’s become their not-so-secret weapon.
Mount Olive won the NJAC-American for the third straight year, knocked off Randolph in the Morris County Tournament final, and now will make its first trip to the Group final since 2016.
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The Marauders will play Group 3 South champion Toms River South at 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at Franklin High School.
Flashback! Mount Olive’s big hitters pave path to MCT volleyball title
“This was my final time to prove how good of a team we are,” said Diaz, who had 33 digs, a kill, two assists and two aces. “This team, specifically, we have a ton of fire in us. We’re all like a family. That’s what drives us.”
With her grandmother, parents, and aunt Elizabeth Vega from Orlando, Florida, watching from the front row of the bleachers, Osoria had 16 kills, 14 digs, 22 assists and an ace in the sectional final. Drucks added a team-high 20 kills, three blocks, four digs and 15 assists.
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“It’s normal to have a setter. Every high school has that setter. It’s a creative idea,” said Drucks, a sophomore who has never set before. “It feels really good it was able to work out. At first I was questionable. ‘Can I set well enough?’ People say it’s odd, but it works, so why not?”
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Mount Olive volleyball tops North Hunterdon, advances to Group final
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