Yes, everything just got quite a bit tougher for the Roadrunners' women's volleyball team.
That's playoff volleyball for you!
Led by solid play from outside hitter Macenzie Long and libero Katie Burrichter, the Runner survived a tough battle with a 3-2 first round Region XIX win over Ocean County College at Rowan University Saturday night.
"We expected this to be quite a battle -- that's exactly what we got," said Runners coach Rebecca Pierson. "Ocean County has a great program and we knew they would come in here ready to battle."
The Runners edged the Vikings in sets by a 3-2 score to advance to the next round in Region XIX. RCSJ Gloucester won sets 1 and 3 by scores of 25-14 and 25-16 while the visitors were winners in sets 2 and 4 by scores of 25-19 and 25-23.
Pierson's team then used a string of three straight points from Long at outside hitter and superb play by Burrichter to walk away with a 15-8 decision in the fifth and final set.
"I knew we could pull out the win and I knew I had to play a role in that," said Long, a freshman. "We had confidence we would win -- it's the only way to approach the game."
Burrichter played her usual solid, mistake-free game at libero, keeping play steady and smooth to help the Runners walk away with the win.
"We knew this would be a battle," Burrichter said. "Ocean County has a great team, and we really had to pull it together to come away with the win."
The victory improved the Runners' overall record to 14-5 as they move on to round 2 of the playoffs next week.
MATCH PREVIEW
The Garden State Athletic Conference champion Roadrunner women's volleyball team will look to continue their historic season Saturday when they open the Region XIX playoffs at Rowan University against visiting Ocean County College.
Coach Rebecca Pierson's Roadrunners finished a superb 2019 campaign with a 13-5 overall record while sharing the GSAC crown, a first in school history.
They will compete in the District L championship tournament as the No. 3 seed, facing the No. 6 Vikings, a team they beat 3-1 earlier this month.
Should the Runners emerge victorious, they will advance to play the winner of No. 2 Raritan Valley and No. 7 Union on Nov. 2 at Bucks CC for the District title.
"Ocean is a good team and I'm sure they will come back with more fire than when we played them before," said Pierson, fourth year coach.
Of all the teams in Region XIX, the Runners may have the youngest roster with just one sophomore -- former Gloucester Catholic standout Taylor Caldas, a middle hitter.
Freshman setter Dominque Marcano has played consistently well all season and received recent recognition as GSAC and NJCAA National Division III Player of the Week.
"Dominqiue has been one of the most consistent players on the team all season," said Pierson. "To see her receive national recognition at the setter position is amazing and quite an accomplishment."
Other top players for Pierson this Fall have been middle hitter Syasia Bryant (Newark Arts High), libero Katie Burrichter (Our Lady of Mercy), outside hitter Macenzie Long (Williamstown), setter Lauren Coffey (Williamstown), outside hitter Lina Russo (Cherry Hill).
GAME DAY
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Region XIX Playoffs First Round
District L Bracket
At Rowan University Esby Gym
6:00 pm start
Coaches:
Rebecca Pierson, RCSJ Gloucester
Sandy Stout, Ocean College
Records:
Roadrunners: 13-5 overall, 12-2 region
Vikings: 9-5 overall, 8-5 region
Watch Live at RCRoadrunners.com
