Roadrunner Volleyball plays their first match in 16 months Monday night, grinding out a tough 3-1 win over host Middlesex College.
Sophomore outside hitter Macenzie Long, like all of her teammates, was simply happy to be back playing a regular season match.
So was head coach Rebecca Pierson.
Macenzie, one of the best at her position in Region XIX, played a key role Monday night as the Runners topped host Middlesex College 3-1 in the 2021 Spring Season Opener in volleyball.
The win was anything but easy as the Runners fell into deep holes in the early sets, but rallied to claim wins in sets 1 (25-23), 3 (25-16), and 4 (25-12). Their lone setback came in set 2 by a 25-17 score.
The Runners last played in a match on November 3, 2019 -- nearly 16 months ago -- in a playoff loss to Raritan Valley.
"We're a good team but we struggled early -- wow, it's been a long time," said Long, a former Williamstown High standout athlete. "But we kept coming back and it turned out to be a GREAT TIME. We're excited about the season."
Ditto, said Coach Pierson, who hopes this Spring 2021 campaign will be a solid tuneup for the expanded Fall 2021 season in a few months.
"It really has been a long time -- there were a lot of nerves out there," commented Pierson. "But we wanted to play competitively, and we really battled hard tonight. We have always been a fighting group of players who never give up, and we showed that spirit tonight."
The win also marked the return to competition for Roadrunner Athletics after a 354 day pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Roadrunners last competitive event was March 11th, 2020.
Next up for the Runners, who are again expected to be one of the top teams in Region XIX, will be their home opener against Middlesex on Friday, March 5 in a 7 pm start. Roadrunner Men's and Women's Basketball, Baseball, and Men's and Women's Cross Country also open competition this week.
Game Day Preview
Roadrunner Athletics returns to action after almost a year with Women's Volleyball traveling to Middlesex College on March 1st. Match time is set for 7:00pm.
No spectators will be allowed.
Middlesex College will provide a livestream of the event here:
https://zoom.us/j/99217519408?pwd=anBZZXd0OTF5SG84NjVFYm9nakdYQT09
Season Preview: Volleyball
Coach: Rebecca Pierson, Fifth Season.
Assistant Coaches: Danielle Phillips, Kyle Honey.
Last Season: In Fall 2019, Roadrunners registered a 13-5 overall record while sharing the Garden State Athletic Conference crown. Runners advanced to the Region XIX District 1 championship vs. Raritan Valley.
Season opener: RCSJ will open its season on Monday, March 1 at Middlesex College in a 7 pm start. They will follow with their home opener vs. Middlesex on Thursday, March 5, at 7 pm.
Returning players: Katie Burrichter, So., Our Lady of Mercy Academy, libero; Samantha Kosche, So., Sterling, right hitter; Macenzie Long, So., Williamstown, outside hitter; Dominique Marcano, So., GCIT, setter.
Newcomers: Prospects include Summer Wroniuk, Fr., Williamstown, libero; Devon Calhoun, Fr., Washington Twp., outside hitter; Heidi Wolf, Fr., Gloucester Catholic, setter; Kaitlyn DiGiacomo, Fr., Williamstown, outside hitter; Sloane Genovese, Fr., Hammonton, middle hitter; Channavy Hout, Fr., Williamstown, defensive specialist.
Outlook for Spring 2021 season: The Runners are loaded with experience and talent and look to repeat their previous success as they lool ahead to a full Fall 2021 campaign.
Coach Rebecca Pierson on her Spring 2021 Roadrunners: "We have a lot of high school standouts joining the program and we are excited to be practicing/competing and using this spring to get ready for a hopeful Fall season. The coaches are working on getting the best line ups and sorting out team chemistry issues before August comes so we have another chance to go for nationals."
