Scotch Plains Volleyball Edges Out Westfield

Two late surges by Scotch Plains - Fanwood High School girls’ varsity volleyball team were enough to put away a resilient Westfield High School squad (8-8) in their match on Wednesday.

Scotch Plains improved to 10-4 on the season with a 2-0 win (25-16, 25-17). “I think the team really banded together today,” Scotch Plains coach Adrienne Stack said. “It was very exciting to watch.”

The first game started with the teams playing evenly – neither side taking more than a two-point lead until the score reached double digits. Scotch Plains looked like they would pull away when a 10-10 tie became a 14-11 Raiders advantage, but Westfield refused to let the margin grow as the game progressed.

With an 18-16 lead and Scotch Plains senior Becky Brand serving, the Raiders took over the game and snapped off seven straight points to finish comfortably out in front, 25-16.

Westfield returned with vigor in the second game, jumping out to an early 5-0 lead. Yet Scotch Plains was quick to recover, working to tie the game 9-9 and building momentum in the process.

The Raiders went on an 11 points to four run to take a commanding 20-13 lead and put the game out of reach. A late rally by the Blue Devils fell short and Scotch Plains won 25-17.

Scotch Plains’ senior Kim Wenson, playing on an ankle she sprained the day before in practice, had a team-high six kills and contributed with timely service points to help turn game two in the Raiders favor, according to Stack. Also, in addition to leading the surge at the end of game one, team captain Brand led the squad with eight service points and seven digs.

The meeting was the second between rivals Westfield and Scotch Plains this season, with the first match going to the Raiders in three games.

“I am very proud that they were able to close it out in two games,” Stack said. “[The team] kept Westfield’s points to a minimum today and that really showed their talent, speed, and determination.”