It looks like West Morris Central will be returning to the State finals this Saturday, after another well-earned 2-game win (25-13, 25-18) against Demarest High School tonight. Last year, Central was unable to win in the Finals against Northern Highlands with a disappointing lost that stuck with them throughout this season. However, with the same match up taking place this weekend, the Lady Highlanders will have the opportunity to redeem themselves as they take on Northern Highlands.

The Semi Finals game between Central and Demarest was, needless to say, another astounding effort by both teams. West Morris began the first match with a 6-0 run (served by Alisa Ryncarz) that gave the team potential for a sweep. However, Demarest fought back with a 5-0 serve run by Helena Riede that brought her team within range of taking the lead. Both teams fought with persistence throughout the match, but it was ultimately Central who came out on top, a notorious kill by Kelly Maguire ending the game. Kelly had 21 hits (6 kills) 9 blocks, and 8 digs.

The second game proved to be more challenging for both teams, where sets by captain Elena Holodny and hits by Rachel Binder forced Central to step up their game. Binder had 6 kills. West Morris Central was able to maintain a lead throughout the match, with outstanding efforts by Elissa Mulcahy (13 hits (2 kills) and 9 digs) and Jessica Uphoff (3 hits, 2 blocks, and 10 digs). Morgan Blair secured the Lady Highlander’s win with conse  ...Read More

The West Morris Central Lady Highlander’s were able to continue their winning streak even after the regular season ended when they beat Kingsway High School today in the first round of the Group 3 State Tournament (25-18, 25-9). Morgan Cross had an exceptional game with 3 kills, 5 hits, and 2 digs, as she and her teammates led themselves one step closer to the State title.

West Morris Central, ranked second in their division, began their journey alongside 30 other teams to the Tournament of Champions today when they played home against Kingsway. Although Kingsway was ranked 30th, the two teams had the same goal regardless of their place.

Both teams showed determination and drive in the match, however it was West Morris who came out on top. Morgan Blair and Kelly Maguire proved to be vital players at the net with the consistent kills and blocks. Blair had 10 hits (5 kills) 4 digs and 1 block, and Maguire had 15 hits (11 kills) 6 digs and 1 block.

Both games began with a close score, however as the games continued West Morris Central was able to widen the gap, ending with generous leads for both games. Kingsway’s players were able to maintain posture throughout the match, Brittany Flynn ending with 5 kills and 2 blocks, and Lindsay Shober with 3 digs and 2 blocks.

As Kingsway said goodbye to the season, West Morris Central was able to get another step closer in reaching the State Title, and said hello to another highly anticipated playoff game thi  ...Read More

It seems that this entire season has circled around the timeless rivalry between Central and Mendham. Last night, the rivalry peaked as the Lady Highlanders played the Minutemen in the finals of the County Championships, winning in two close games (25-18, 25-23) and taking back the title of County Champs.

Last season, it was Mendham who was deemed best of the county, but this year West Morris Central’s name will be recorded in Morris County’s history books.

The stands were packed and the chants were thunderous as game one began, both teams unsure of what to expect from the other. The score remained close throughout the game, each team tying and taking small leads, until Kelly Maguire’s 4 serve run put WMC up 20-16. Soon, Morgan Blair finished the game with a kill, lifting an enormous amount of stress off her teammate’s shoulders. Blair had 2 digs and 8 hits. Stefanie Swerdlin of Mendham had 16 assists and Lindsay Duggan had 5 kills, 4 blocks, and 1 dig.

Feeling the pressure of a win, the Minutemen took charge of the second game and began with a 5-0 run. After a timeout called by Central, the score evened out at 11-11. Kelly Maguire’s spike put Central in the lead - a lead that stayed with them until the crucial game point at 24-22. Everyone in the Central audience rose to their feet in anticipation as the Lady Highlanders finished off the Championship with a 25-23 win.

Notable Mendham players of the Minutemen were Andrea DeMos  ...Read More

It’s about halfway through the season now, and West Morris is still in control over their rival, the Mendham Minutemen. The Lady Highlander’s beat their sister school in a two game win (25-14, 25-11) in their second meeting this season. Although both teams played well, the home advantage for WMC helped them in gaining another “W” against the Minutemen.

Game one of the match began with great enthusiasm on both ends of the court, neither one succumbing to the cheers and chants of the other side. West Morris Central maintained a large lead throughout the game that led to victory with the help of Libero Alisa Ryncarz (1 kill, 9 digs) and Setter Chrissy Baffuto (2 digs).

With the first game under their belt, the Lady Highlanders continued to dominate on their side of the court in the following match-up. After finishing the game with a 14-point lead, Central breathed a sigh of relief as they went away with the win. Jackie Falzarano ended with 8 kills and 18 hits, and Kelly Maguire marked 11 kills, 2 blocks, and 5 digs.

Fairly new to the starting roster, Morgan Cross impressed the team with 3 kills, 1 block, and 2 digs. “Our enthusiasm for this game made a big difference in the outcome. We were able to pick each other up when we made mistakes and always had energy-allowing us to play our best” explained Morgan Blair, who ended with 3 kills and 1 block.

Although the scheduled matches between Mendham and Central have been played, the sister schools look  ...Read More

The Lady Highlanders lost to the Morristown Colonials today in a disappointing 3 game match (WMC 25-22, MHS 25-22, MHS 25-20). Megan O’Shea of the Colonials contributed to the team’s win with 9 kills and 14 digs. This was West Morris Central’s second loss of the season, sending them to a 9-2 record.

Both teams in this game proved to be equally matched, as they maintained a tight score throughout the entire game. West Morris Central got away with the first win of the night with the relentless efforts of Jackie Falzarano and Jessica Uphoff. Jackie had 16 digs and 3 kills, while Jessica earned 5 digs and 17 serve-receives. Each team took the lead multiple times during the game, however Central was able to gain the win with 4-0 run at the end, leading them to victory.

The second and third games tested the Lady Highlander’s consistency, which resulted in two close losses. The Colonials stepped up their game after their early loss, as Kori Reiqel marked 10 kills and 13 digs that contributed greatly to her team’s success.

The team’s unwavering concentration and determination to win ended with victory as they were able to beat West Morris Central, the 5th best team in the state.

“Today was a test of our strength as a team, and although we did not win, we played hard. My teammates hustled and played well today, but I definitely believe we have more potential” explained WMC’s Alisa Ryncarz, who ended with 13 digs, 1 kill, and 26 serve-receives.

Oth  ...Read More