Roselle Catholic’s girls’ volleyball team captured its first UCT championship Friday night, defeating top-seeded Westfield in three games in the final at Kean.
The Roselle Catholic girls’ volleyball team had been knocking on the door in recent years, trying to join the elite teams in Union County when it came time to competing for the county crown.
The Lions reached the Union County Tournament semifinals before, even as recently as last year when they were defeated in three games by upstartSummit.
This year there would be no denying.
After eliminating third-seeded and four-time defending champion Union Catholic in Tuesday night’s semifinals at Johnson, that was good enough to place the Lions in the final for the first time.
Competing against top-seeded Westfield for the crown, Roselle Catholic came back from dropping the first game to win the next two to capture its first county championship.
In competition that took place Friday night at Kean University’s Harwood Arena, Roselle Catholic defeated Westfield 19-25, 25-22, 25-14 to join the list of UCT winners.
Roselle Catholic, which improved to 19-3, prevented Westfield, which fell to 15-7, from winning the UCT for the first time since 2006.
The Blue Devils reached the final for the first time since 2007, which was when Cranford won the championship.
The Lions, guided by first-year head coach Jason Davila, were sparked by the performances of many. Chrissy Campanelli produced 10 service points, four kills and one dig, while Jessica Ciandella had two aces, 13 service points, one kill, 27 assists, two blocks and nine digs.
Callie Scheuermann stood out with one ace, 12 service points, eight kills, two blocks and seven digs.
Also accumulating at least 10 service points were Keyarah Newton, Sue Riley and Melissa Sporer.
Danielle Franklin, who also helped the RC girls’ basketball team win its 2011 UCT title at Kean, contributed six kills and two blocks.
Ally Mroczek chipped in with five kills, two assists, one block and one dig. Sporer also had seven kills and two blocks and one dig and Melissa Sheehan five digs.
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UCT GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
CHAMPIONS SINCE 2000:
2012 -Roselle Catholic def. Westfield- at Kean
19-25, 25-22, 25-14 in final.
2011 – Union Catholic def. Summit- at Kean
25-17, 25-20 in final.
2010 – Union Catholic def. Cranford- at Kean
26-28, 25-22, 25-16 in final.
2009 – Union Catholic def. Cranford – at Union Catholic
25-18, 25-21 in final.
2008 – Union Catholic def. Cranford – at Union Catholic
26-24, 17-25, 25-22 in final.
2007 –Cranford def. Westfield – at Westfield
25-18, 25-22 in final.
2006 –Westfield def. Union Catholic – atWestfield
25-19, 25-21 in final.
2005 – Union Catholic def. Rahway
25-22, 25-22 in final.
2004 –Rahway def. New Providence
25-21, 25-11 in final.
2003 –Elizabeth def. Union Catholic
25-21, 16-25, 25-18, 25-20 in final.
2002 – Union Catholic
2001 – Union Catholic
2000 – Union Catholic