Westfield has not been to the volleyball Group 4 final since 2002, but on Thursday the Blue Devils secured their spot in the championship game with a big comeback win against Livingston. Westfield bounced back in the second and third set despite taking a tough loss in the first set as the Lancers came ready to play.
The Blue Devils went down early as Livingston seized a 6-1 lead. The Lancers’ versatile serving kept the Blue Devils on their toes, and they were unable to adjust in the first set. The Lancers scored a handful of points off the short serve. However, senior Ally Muller helped her team close the gap with several kills and blocks. Ultimately Livingston pulled away. The Blue Devils fell to the Lancers, 25-17.
This lack of energy quickly disappeared as the Blue Devils entered the second set, thanks to head coach Beverly Torok’s wise words at the break. “We pulled up our serve receivers because their short serves weren’t going to change,” Torok said. “We also were trying to focus on timing and our communication in the back.”
Westfield began the second set with several miscommunications causing them to go down, 4-0, but this did not last long. Senior Carly Rodrigues stepped up to serve and was able to propel her team to its first lead of the match, 5-4.
The Blue Devils kept their run alive as they extended their lead to 17-11. However, Livingston struck back and tied the set at 20. This back-and-forth set had fans on the edge of their seats, as this could send Livingston to the final, but senior captain Allie DiFalco came in clutch. She had several crucial digs that kept plays alive, and allowed Westfield to convert, giving them the 25-21 win in the set. “Coach Torok told us to leave it all out there on the floor and that’s what I wanted to do,” DiFalco said. “So I did.”
It all came down to the third set. The Blue Devils took their momentum and ran. Livingston packed on the miscommunications and repeatedly hit the ball into the net, giving Westfield an early lead. The lead only extended as the Blue Devils knew their season was on the line. Junior Olivia Calandra stepped up big this set as she piled on the kills and blocks, denying Livinston any chance it had at winning the third set. “For blocking, I make sure my timing is right with the middle who’s with me,” Calandra said. This technique worked well and greatly contributed to the convincing 25-14 win in the third set.
Westfield stormed the court after the win, and Torok celebrated with tears in her eyes. “I am feeling elated,” she said. “We are going to the state championship…It’s a really big deal. I am really proud of the girls for persevering off some difficult points in the first series.”
The Blue Devils will battle for the Group 4 state championship this Sunday at Franklin High School at 4 p.m. against Old Bridge.
