Verona High School Girls Volleyball Team Clinches Title Win, Earns Honors

VERONA, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Verona-Cedar Grove Facebook page here.

During a special presentation held at the Hall of Records in Newark, New Jersey, on June 7, 2017, the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders honored the Verona High School Girls Volleyball Team for winning the 2016 NJSIAA Group 1, Section B State Championship.

Freeholder At-Large Patricia Sebold, Freeholder Vice President Brendan W. Gill, and District 4 Freeholder Leonard M. Luciano presented a Commendation to the team in celebration of their championship win, recognizing their hard work and dedication to the game of Volleyball. Head Coach Jeff Stiefbold and Assistant Coach Scott Stiefbold accepted the Commendation on behalf of the team, expressing how proud they are of the team and its progress.

In the state tournament competition, the Verona High School Girls Volleyball Team defeated University High School (25-12, 25-7), Harrison (25-16, 25-15), Kinnelon (25-23, 25-20), and Leonia (25-16, 25-18), to win the school’s first NJSIAA Section 1, Group B Sectional Championship. The team was also the Essex County Champions as well as the Super Essex Conference (SEC), American Division Co-Champions with a 11-1 Conference record.

Verona finished its outstanding 2016 season ranked as the 9th team in the State of New Jersey, and the State’s #2 Group 1 team with a stellar overall record of 32-2, a Verona High School record for wins in any sport.

The Girls Volleyball Team was further recognized through honors bestowed upon several individual players, including: Junior Carly Waterman who was named PrepVolleyball.com Honorable Mention All American, NJ.com Essex County Volleyball “Player of the Year”, NJ.com 1st Team All State, NJ.com 1st Team Group 1, and 1st Team all SEC American Division; Junior Hunter Coppola was named NJ.com All Group 1 2nd Team, and 1st Team All SEC American Division; Junior Cameron Fuentez was named NJ.com All Group 1 3rd Team and 1st Team All SEC American Division; Sophomore Brooke Cooney was named NJ.com All Group 1 3rd Team and 2nd Team All SEC American Division; Junior Madisyn Matthews was selected 2nd Team All SEC American Division; Senior Olivia Lucanie was selected Honorable Mention All SEC American Division; and Sophomore Nicolette Marino was selected Honorable Mention All SEC American Division.

The Verona High School Girls Volleyball Team is comprised of the following members: Seniors: Olivia Lucanie and Caitie Kenneally; Juniors: Carly Waterman, Madisyn Matthews, Francesa Cortese, Cameron Fuentez, Lauren Gruskin; Sophomores: Hunter Coppola, Brooke Cooney, Nicolette Marino, Kate Ryan, Daniela Trujillo and Freshman: Kelly Waterman.

The team was coached by Head Coach Jeff Stiefbold and Assistant Coach Scott Stiefbold and received administrative support from Superintendent Rui Dionisio, Principal Josh Cogdill, Athletic Director Robert Merkler, and Athletic Trainer Jason Calo.

Photo: Glen Frieson