For the first time in the history of Westfield High School, the girls volleyball team has finished its season with a Group 4 championship. In a historic run for the program, the 2022-23 campaign will forever be remembered in WHS athletics history.
The season was a special one. Having posted a 24-1 record and a 10-0 record in the Watchung division, Westfield sat atop the Union County Conference. The team, led by senior captains Allie DiFalco, Jess Currie and Carly Rodrigues, earned its best record in 10 years. The girls had 16 games in which they did not lose a set, with their only loss coming against Williamstown midway through the season.
The team coasted its way through the Union County Tournament, where it ultimately defeated Union Catholic for the Union County title. It was the third time the two teams had met up to that point, and once again the Blue Devils walked away victorious. It would be the first time the Blue Devils hoisted a plaque this season, but would not be the last.
The girls then went on to the North 2, Group 4 sectional tournament where they strolled their way to the sectional championship. The Blue Devils defeated Ridge, Bayonne and Watchung Hills, dropping zero sets the entire tournament. The girls made their way to the final where they were led by stellar serving and dominant play in the front. The team, led by 5 kills apiece from sophomore Catie Carayannopoulos and senior Ally Muller, once again claimed victory. This was their third sectional final appearance in the past three seasons and their first win.
After sectionals, the Blue Devils carried their success into the Group 4 state tournament where they bested Livingston and ultimately Old Bridge to claim the state title. Old Bridge, having a 25-3 record and being ranked 10th in the state, was a tough opponent for the Blue Devils, yet Westfield handled the team as they did every other this season. The match went to three sets, unfamiliar territory for the Blue Devils. The girls won the first set and dropped the second, both decided by only two points. It was the third set where the girls displayed dominance, defeating Old Bridge, 25-14. “Being a part of such a historic team is something we will never forget,” said Currie.
This was the first ever state championship for head coach Beverly Torok and the Blue Devils. Torok has been coaching at Westfield for over 20 years and has long awaited the opportunity to be a champion. She has gone through everything with this program, including overcoming breast cancer in 2007, to ultimately leading the girls to their first ever state title. “I’m so excited for the coach because we all know how bad she wanted this win,” Currie said.
“It has been an amazing feeling,” said Torok. “It feels very nostalgic to be the first state champion in Westfield history. I am beyond proud of my team and ecstatic about our accomplishments this season.”
The Blue Devils finished the season ranked fifth in the state, and were led statistically by junior Caitlin Cabrales in kills with 116, Muller in blocks with 35 and Rodrigues in assists with 256. The team as a whole had 608 kills, 102 blocks and 548 assists. Currie was awarded the team’s Most Valuable Senior award by the Westfield Boosters Association after the conclusion of the season. When asked what she will miss most about the team, Currie said, “I’m gonna miss the closeness of this team. This has been the closest team I’ve ever been on, we all clicked the moment we met and I’m gonna miss playing with my best friends everyday.”
This year was marked by emotional moments, from the championship victories to the team’s annual pink-out game, it was truly a special season. What occurred on the court will never be forgotten and will forever remain in the history books.
“I have been fortunate to have had athletes who have been willing to listen to criticism, work hard, make adjustments and play as a team,” said Torok. “I feel like all of the work that our coaching staff has put in has finally come to fruition. It is a feeling that I don’t want to let go of.”
