The girls’ volleyball program at the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School served notice with its performance this fall.
One season after the program began with a six-game schedule and without a league to call its own, Bridgewater-Raritan rallied in 2024 with an appearance in a championship game.
Under the guidance and sound instruction from coaches Jodi Antunes and Debra Smith, Bridgewater-Raritan played 13 games and finished second during the regular season in the competitive Central Jersey Junior Schools League.
The squad earned a bye into the semifinals due to its second-place finish. It promptly eliminated Clinton Township Middle School in three sets to advance to the Central Jersey Junior Schools League championship game.
Bridgewater-Raritan’s title aspirations fell short when Readington Middle School posted 28-26, 25-15 scores to win the championship on Monday, October 28, at the Readington Middle School.
Coach Antunes, a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, where she is also the head freshman boys’ volleyball coach in the spring, spoke about how she and Coach Smith felt about this memorable 2024 season.
“Our team showed determination and resilience; they showed up every single day and strived to be better than the day before. The girls worked hard and pushed each other to never give up,” Coach Antunes said.
She reported that the sport was a hot attraction to the Middle School students.
“This year, we had 106 girls come out for the program, which was 26 more girls than last year.”
Standout outside hitter Jaclyn Oram, an 8th Grader, experienced the positive growth of the squad.
“What a big difference from last year,” Jaclyn said. “We made such a big improvement and worked together as a team. We believed in each other.”
Despite losing the championship, the coaches were proud of the team’s inspiring play.
“Although we came up short, losing a close first set (28-28), ultimately, the girls played their hearts out and left nothing out on the court,” Coach Antunes said. “I don't know too many teams that can say their first year competing in their league made it to the finals. No matter what was thrown at this team, no matter how deep in the hole they fell, they climbed out as a team, bounced back, and overcame.”
This is just the beginning, according to Coach Antunes.
“The 2024 Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School girls’ volleyball team has raised the bar for the next group of girls, and I am honored to coach next to Coach Smith and be a small part of their volleyball journey. “
Here is the 2024 Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School girls’ volleyball roster.
Number, Last and First Name, Grade
4 Arun Niah 8
15 Byun Jamie 8
14 Corpus Samantha 8
5 Dugenio Jaclyn, 8
20 Davies Sabrina, 8
28 Dequina Arthena Raflyn 7
DeSousa Gabby, 8
7 Elfadil Sara, 8
10 Factor Joselle 8
29 Ganz Anna 7
23 Irwin Natalie 7
9 Karlis Nicole 8
22 Lahey Clare 8
32 Lant Gisele 7
13 Levash Quinn 8
30 Lodese Gabriella 7
3 Mago Mysha 8
17 McGeechan Jamie 8
26 McGeechan Alexa 8
19 Oram Jaclyn 8
16 Patel Maya 8
11 Paxson Reese 8
24 Perle Marley 7
2 Swider Klaudia 8
25 Schraft Kalaya 7
18 Spinello Giuliana 8
6 Vetro Emily 8
8 Votapek Audrey 7
31 Wang Arielle 7
21 Yuhasz Mallory 7
27 Wei Emily 8