K-POP: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Kaelin Bobetich works on her setting form before a recent match. Last Saturday, senior Bobetich contributed six kills, nine digs, and 22 assists in a losing cause as PHS lost 2-1 to Kingsway. The Tigers, who moved to 17-4 with the defeat, host Paul VI on October 22 and Northern Burlington on October 23 before starting play in the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament on October 24. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)

Bill Alden

Over the first three years of her career with the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team, Kaelin Bobetich was a force on the front row for the Tigers.

Bobetich piled up 457 kills, helping PHS win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state titles in 2023 and 2024.

But with star setter Lois Matsukawa graduating, senior standout and tri-captain Bobetich has moved into that role this fall.

While Bobetich misses being on the front row, she is enjoying her new spot.

“It is great, I love running the offense,” said Bobetich. “It is a little sad that I don’t get to hit. It is a lot more exhausting from all of the running.”

Last Saturday, Bobetich did a lot of running as the Tigers battled visiting Kingsway.

“We were really excited, it was good to be back in our home gym,” said Bobetich, noting that the Tigers had been playing away over the last two weeks.

The Kingsway contest turned out to be exciting as the Dragons pulled out a 2-1 win over PHS, prevailing 26-24, 12-25, 25-13.

After falling in the first set, the Tigers found a rhythm in the second as they knotted the match at 1-1.

“We switched up our lineup, we matched up different hitters against different blockers,” said Bobetich. “That really helped us in the second set.”

In the decisive third set, the Tigers jumped out to a 7-4 lead but couldn’t hold off Kingsway.

“I just think we were a little less consistent,” said Bobetich, who ended up with six kills, nine digs, and 22 assists on the day as PHS moved to 17-4. “We were a little tired from the last match (a 2-0 win over Westfield last Thursday), that definitely had an impact.”

Reflecting on a stretch that has seen PHS go 1-4 in matchups against some of the strongest teams in the state, Bobetich believes that will help the Tigers develop more consistency as they head into the homestretch of the season.

“Playing these tough teams now will prepare us for states,” maintained Bobetich. “I think I have learned how we have to really minimize our errors if we want to beat these tougher teams.”

PHS head coach Patty Manhart kept the defeat in perspective, seeing it as a learning moment.

“It is just another game where you diagnose how they beat us,” said Manhart. “That is what you work on at practice and then use that to fuel our November postseason run.”

Manhart liked how her squad responded in the second set against Kingsway.

“There was a lineup change, just trying to be a little more effective blocking so I think that kicked in and maybe caught them off guard,” said Manhart. “They made adjustments back in the third set; they kind of figured it out after we made our change.”

In the third set, Kingsway caught fire. “They were just tearing it down the line that just got away from us on defense,” said Manhart. “They were setting rallies with good defense. On those tough points, tight points, if we are not returning the ball on defense, that is going to make a difference.”

While the loss stung, Manhart had no qualms with the effort she got from her players.

“They did give a good effort, it is just those little things that didn’t go our way and we can improve on,” said Manhart. “It is nothing that we can’t fix for the next one. Consistency, that is a word that comes up a lot for us. I would say that is the big thing being able to play each set the same or even tougher.

PHS has been getting consistent play from Bobetich in her new spot.

“Kaelin helps make our offense functional, “said Manhart. “It is a lot of work, she is running around picking up as many balls as possible. It is a lot of moving, it is a lot of running. It is nice every often when she has that chance to swing and put the ball away too. It is nice that she is that type of all-around player. Having a tall setter is definitely a luxury.”

Senior star and tri-captain Naomi Lygas displayed her all-around skill against Kingsway, piling up 15 kills and six digs.

“Naomi gives it her all and it is tough because we definitely rely on her so much on defense, on offense,” said Manhart. “It is a lot and she always gives 100 percent. I really appreciate the work she does.”

The Tigers also got some good work from junior Lucy Wang and sophomore Lily Cao in the match.

“Lucy was thrown into the lineup today and did a nice job blocking,” said Manhart. “Lily is always a great server as well so those two players were doing a nice job.”

With PHS hosting Paul VI on October 22 and Northern Burlington on October 23 before starting play in the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament on October 24, Manhart believes going through its recent gauntlet of touchy matches will pay dividends.

“It is good to see who else we have in the state, it is good to get pushed,” said Manhart. “It is definitely a tough stretch. We were on the road for two weeks in a row. It is nice being home again. Those are all the type of challenges that make us stronger as a team. I think defense is something that we have been working on recently, just winning those points in transition. That will continue to be a focus for us.”

Bobetich, for her part, is confident that PHS will peak when it counts the most.

“I think we just need to focus on what we can control on our side of the court and play together as a team for states,” said Bobetich.