North Jersey Female Athlete of the Week delivers on and off the court
Whether it's on the volleyball court or in a restaurant kitchen on Long Beach Island, it's all about teamwork for Cammi Quirk.
The four-year varsity volleyball player at Ridgewood is one of two major contributors returning from the Maroons' 2021 Bergen County championship and Group 4 runners-up team. Quirk has helped keep the Maroons in the hunt for a Big North Freedom championship and perhaps a second straight sectional title as that rare setter who also leads her team in kills and digs.
"For an exclusive setter to be leading in digs and kills is almost unheard of, but this week's highlights are a perfect example of the caliber of player Cammi is," Ridgewood coach Jamie Gilfedder said. "We lost 10 seniors from last year's great team, and Cammi has continued to rise to the occasion and lead her team the way she has last week and all year."
Quirk deflects the praise, saying ,"Everyone knows what to do and everyone wants to help everyone get better every game. It's totally different environment with a lot of new players this year and we definitely have come together well."
Quirk has been around the game her whole life. Her father, Brian, is the Maroons' junior varsity coach and she started playing at about 7 years old. Brian has been supportive and helpful throughout her career, but Cammi said she's happy he's not her head coach.
"It's a good thing," she said with a laugh. "If he was the head coach, we'd have gotten on each other all the time."
As what Gilfedder calls the "exclusive setter" in the Maroon's 5-1 rotation, Quirk covers the court from any spot in the rotation.
"I've got a lot of space to move around in, but I'm lucky that I'm quick,'' she said. But when asked which part of the game is her favorite, she hesitated for a moment before saying, "I like doing everything, but blocking is the most exciting. I'm shorter than most blockers (at 5-foot-9) but when I get a block, it's really motivating.''
Dad came in handy when Cammi needed a summer job while the Quirk family vacationed at their Long Beach Island home.
"One of his friends had a connection at Harvey's Cedar Shellfish and some of my friends from down there got jobs there" said Cammi, who will play volleyball at the Univeristy of Scranton next year. "I work in the kitchen, mostly making salads, but I can cook, bus tables and even wait on people if needed.
"There's a lot of teamwork involved there, too," she said. "Someone cleans and sets the tables, the front of the house seats the customers, the kitchen staff prepares the food and the waiter or waitress delivers the final product. Everyone has to do their own role, and you don't realize how much teamwork is necessary.''
Just like on the volleyball court, Cammi delivers.
Cammi Quirk
Sport: Volleyball
School: Ridgewood
Class: Senior. Age: 17
Accomplishment: She led her a team to a 4-0 record and into a first place tie in the Big North Freedom division, totalling 23 kills, 64 assists, 2 blocks, 43 digs, and 15 aces. She now has more than 1,000 assists in her varsity career.
Also nominated: Kalena Stavish of Immaculate Heart, Gabby Imburgia of Fair Lawn, and Mia Piantino of Pascack Hills for volleyball; Ava Incorvaia of Waldwick for soccer; Krista Lilienthal of Pompton Lakes for field hockey; and Shayna Braver of Ramapo for gymnastics
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen Record Female Athlete of the Week: Cammi Quirk, Ridgewood
