Montville defeats Morris Knolls in straight sets to win first MCT volleyball title
FLORHAM PARK – Katie Gorski is usually on the bench when the Montville girls volleyball team starts a match. Her brief absence away from the court gives her an opportunity to view the floor and size up the competition.
When the Mustangs fell behind early to Morris Knolls in the Morris County Tournament final on Sunday afternoon, the senior sprung into action when her team needed her the most. Montville went on to a straight-set victory, 25-23, 25-19, for the first MCT title in program history at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
“It’s really insane. We always thought we could do it, but actually being here is so much bigger,” said Gorski, who earned Most Valuable Player.
“I’m so proud of this team. Even though we lost players last year, we continued to work. Once we shook those nerves off, it’s game. It was just a matter of time before we woke up.”
Fifth-seeded Morris Knolls raced out to a 7-1 lead in the first set before third-seed Montville closed the gap. The Mustangs fought back and went on a 5-0 run to take a 12-11 lead off strong serves from Cassandra Chauhan.
After five lead changes down the stretch and the game knotted at 21, Montville (17-3) scored three straight before hanging on to win the set.
“We were down in the beginning and then Cassandra went in and I went in. She has a great serve,” Gorski said. “I knew she would get us rolling. She was great.”
The second set started much like the first with Morris Knolls (10-11) jumping out to a 7-3 lead fueled off a 4-0 run. But Montville managed to erase the deficit and jumped ahead 18-12 for its biggest lead of the set.
“This means everything. We made Montville history today. Putting the numbers on the board in the high school is what we wanted and what we worked hard for,” Montville coach Angelica Maiello said. “The girls earned every game they played in this county tournament. They never stopped playing until they won.”
Girls volleyball:2022 Morris County Tournament bracket, scores, schedule
The Mustangs defeated Morris Knolls last month in regular-season play. They have won nine straight matches, including a 2-1 victory over second-seeded and defending champion Roxbury in a semifinal.
“The county is very even right now. We had to play Morristown and Roxbury. They were very good teams that we had to battle through,” Maiello said. “But honestly that made us better in the long run. When you’re looking at the bracket I wish we had an easier run. But it helped us get to the finals.
“We’re excited for what’s to come. I don’t think these girls are done. They have to keep working. They have to earn every game. No game is given.”
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Montville NJ volleyball wins first Morris County title
