SHINING PEARL: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Pearl Agel sets the ball last Saturday in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state final. Senior libero Agel starred as PHS defeated Moorestown 2-0 (25-8, 25-9) in the NJSIAA Group 3 state semifinal round last Thursday in its home finale and then went on to top Ramapo 2-0 (25-8, 25-11) in the Group 3 final on Sunday at Franklin High. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team hosted Moorestown last Thursday in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state semis, it was the last-ever home game for Pearl Agel and she was determined to make it memorable.

“We were excited, we just really wanted to bring our all,” said senior libero Agel. “We always say, ‘Let’s play Princeton volleyball. Let’s play together, that is really important.’ I have had such a blast at the school and I am so happy.”

The defending Group 3 state champion Tigers had a blast as they rolled to a 2-0 (25-8, 25-9) win over Moorestown.

“We knew they had really good middles, that is always tough for a defense,” said Agel. “We just really focused in trying to put them out of system so they couldn’t set their middles. I think we did a really good job of hard, tough serving but also keeping the ball in and just playing defense because defense wins games.”

In the second set, Agel helped the Tigers pull away as they reeled off a 5-0 run on her serve.

“I have really been trying to work on my serve to get it consistent,” said Agel, who also had eight digs in the win. “At the beginning of the season, I had a back injury so I have really been trying to focus on getting a good, consistent serve. That is also putting teams out of system. I think I have gotten it.”

Earning a return trip to the state final made the home finale unforgettable.

“It is a really big thing for us, we have been planning since the start to go back,” said Agel. “We want to show people we can be No. 1. It is also just amazing because I get to play as many games as possible with my best friends.”

On Sunday, the Tigers showed how dominant they can be, topping Ramapo 2-0 (25-8, 25-11) in the Group 3 final at Franklin High. Coming into the final, Agel and her teammates were drawing on their postseason experience as they went for the title repeat.

“I think last year I was definitely very nervous about that game, it was our first big crowd,” said Agel. “We know what to expect. This year we have become accustomed to playing with big crowds, big teams and lots or pressure. We just know to bring our all and not to worry about anything else but the game and play Princeton volleyball.”

Over her PHS career, Agel emerged as a big star for
the Tigers

“I am really happy with my progress over the years, I started club as a freshman,” said Agel, who piled up a program career record in digs with 848. “Being surrounded by such great players helps you, it motivates you. They are constantly picking me up, they believe in me. I am really proud of my improvement. I hope to play volleyball in college.”

Playing with her fellow seniors, Lois Matsukawa, Zoe Nuland, and Anya Haeberli, has helped enhance her Tiger experience.

“Me and Lois have been together since freshman year on the team, it is crazy to see how far we have come,” said Agel. “We all trust each other. We spend time outside of practice, I am playing with my best friends every day.”

PHS head coach Patty Manhart is proud of how far Agel has come in her career

“Heart, soul, body, pride, spirit; all that extra that you can’t  coach per se,” said Manhart, when asked the qualities that make Agel special. “Pearl is one of the hardest workers, she is so focused and so driven. She brings that extra piece, the intangibles.”

Agel, for her part, believes that working with her teammates have helped her on and off the court.

“We all spend so much time together and they have helped me grow so much as a person and as a player,” said Agel. “There are aspects of me now that are thanks to them. I feel like they have helped me come this far.”