HAVING A BLAST: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Naomi Lygas blasts the ball as PHS hosted Burlington Township in the semifinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 tournament. Senior Lygas recorded a game-high 15 kills and four digs to help the top-seeded Tigers defeat the fourth-seeded Falcons 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-13). PHS, now 24-5, was slated to host seventh-seeded Brick Memorial in the sectional final on November 11 with the victor advancing to the Group 3 state semis on November 13. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
While the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team has gone through some ups and downs this fall in its quest for a third straight state title, Naomi Lygas believes the squad is on track to achieve that goal.
“I think we are definitely reaching a sweet spot for our team in how we jell together and it has been working well,” said senior star Lygas. “I think every team we play against is different but we try hard to watch film and practice the right stuff against them so that way we are set and ready with the plan.”
Last Saturday as top-seeded PHS hosted Burlington Township in the semifinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 tournament the Tigers had to work hard to win the first set 25-19.
Heading into the second set, PHS was looking to pick up its game.
“One of the big ones was cleaning up our own side because of a lot of their points came from our own errors and messiness, that was our main focus,” said Lygas. “We also switched the rotation around. We started with our right side defensive specialist serving instead of our center serving. It was a small switch but it ended up working out.”
Things worked out very well for the Tigers as they won the second set and third set by 25-13 margins. PHS, now 24-5, was slated to host seventh-seeded Brick Memorial in the sectional final on November 11 with the victor advancing to the Group 3 state semis on November 13.
“We fixed the errors on our side part which was a big one,” said Lygas, who recorded a game-high 15 kills and four digs. “Once we worked from that, I think we all had more confidence. We were working better as a team.”
With the teams playing best-of-five matches in postseason competition rather the standard best-of-three in regular season games, Lygas and her teammates are working on maintaining their focus for longer stretches.
“The playoffs has really trained us and throughout the season in the best-of-five games,” said Lygas. “The longer matches are a little harder sometime so it is being disciplined and making sure that we are staying our best through all three sets because sometimes it can get hard.”
Lygas capped the match on her serve. “That was fun serving out the match,” said Lygas. “It is a good feeling. It is hard this time of the year because everybody wants to win because if you lose, it is the end of your season. There is a lot of pressure, everyone is trying really hard. It is a fun atmosphere too, it is competitive.”
The Tigers know they will have to compete hard to accomplish their title three-peat.
“It is our main goal; in the beginning we had team goals and I think maybe half of them were win states,” said Lygas. “It is a big goal of ours and I think we are making all of the right steps to get there. It is just about executing. We know we are capable, it is a lot of practicing how we want to play in games. That is the biggest thing and also making sure we don’t underestimate any team because anyone can come out and win.”
Having worked through a leg injury suffered over the summer, Lygas has executed very well this season, piling up a single-season best 375 kills to give her 1,227 in her career.
“It means a lot, those have been my goals since freshman year to get these milestones,” said Lygas, who has committed to attend Tulane University and play for its beach volleyball team. “To achieve them is such an amazing feeling but at the same time I am still setting new goals for myself. Ever since we have played the best of five, I have set my goal for 1,250 kills. That is my new bar that I have set. I always try to make myself have something to work for. That has been my new goal, hopefully it will happen.”
PHS head coach Patty Manhart lauds Lygas for making things happen for the Tigers.
“Naomi is always going to put the ball away,” said Manhart.
“Her passing is always impeccable. She is just such a reliable player. Having that person that can help us like that, that is why we are able to win 25-13. She will find the floor when she is swinging every time.”
Making the tactical shift for the second set got PHS in the swing against Burlington.
“My hope was that the rotation change would help make a difference or spark something,” said Manhart. “That is what it takes because it is always this round of play being a one seed, you expect to win but you have to work for it. It is coming out hard, fast, and playing them like teams that we are excited to play like our rivals. We have to find that same energy and push. The next round is sectional final, so that should motivate us.”
The serving of senior star Charlotte Woods made a difference for the Tigers in the victory as she piled up 13 service points.
“I love when she serves like that, that is how she can always serve,” said Manhart. “It is the balance of do you want to serve aggressively and take a risk or do you want to play it safe? I love when she goes aggressive.”
A third senior standout, Kaelin Bobetich, triggered things for the Tigers against the Falcons as she recorded a match-high 24 assists.
“Our offense doesn’t run without Kaelin setting and Kaelin being on point, Kaelin being fast and being able to get to the ball to here hitters every time,” said Manhart. “That always makes a really big difference, I am so happy with how she plays.”
Looking ahead to the sectional final, Manhart believes her squad’s championship experience will serve it well as takes on teams determined to knock it off.
“The teams that we play are the teams that push us so they are definitely going to keep raising their game,” said Manhart. “It is a matter that as these teams get tougher and the games get bigger, we will keep rising to the challenge. It is just the girls having that court IQ, of knowing what is happening, where to go, what to expect, how to plan for it, and how to prep.”
In order to achieve their goal of a third straight state title, the Tigers will need to bring the intensity and unity it has displayed all fall as it has worked new faces into a lineup along with its senior stars.
“The keys to a three-peat is energy and mindset,” said Manhart. “Last year it was pretty much the same lineup and the same group of girls. This year, it is a little bit different with some girls coming out playing together for the first time. It is having that mindset, working together, picking each other up and having that energy. We have been together all season so we are not going to let it slip now.”
Lygas, for her part, is looking to end things on a high note for her fellow seniors as well as the younger players added to the PHS lineup.
“Me and the other seniors have been on the court for both times but we also have a lot of new players,” said Lygas. “They know what it is like, they have seen it happen. It is cool to try to win one for them too at the same time.”