Story by Will Harrigan of NJ.com
This special volleyball season Westfield is having is like a math equation.
The constant is the serving prowess of Carly Rodrigues, but the variable of who will step up in the hitting department changes on a match-by-match basis.
And since the letter x is used to represent a variable, then it is fitting to consider Ally Muller the X-factor for the Blue Devils on Friday night. And this time, a performance like that came with a Union County title.
Count up the aces and kills however you like, but when all was said and done at Kean University, top-seeded Westfield – No. 8 in the NJ.com Top 20 – walked away with its second Union County Tournament title in three seasons by sweeping third-seeded Union Catholic in straight sets, 25-15, 25-17.
The Blue Devils now sport a terrific 17-1 record on the year, while the Vikings fell to 15-7. Muller led the balanced champions with six kills and two assists on the evening.
“All year long, we have five or six different hitters that have been really good for us. There’s not that standout player that a lot of the top teams have that is above and beyond everyone else. I think it’s been key to our success,” said Westfield coach Beverly Torok. “Tonight happened to be Ally for us.”
Tied 11-11 in the first set after a Union Catholic service error, it was a six-point serving rampage by Rodrigues that created separation for Westfield. An ace – parlayed by kills from Muller and Caterina Carayannopoulos – helped extend the champions to a commanding 17-11 lead late in the set.
A kill and a block from Muller, combined with a finish by Caitlin Cabrales brought things to set point. There, it was an ace served up by Olivia Calandra that sealed the set.
But from there, Westfield’s Chloe Wiedman went on a four-point run to create a bit of separation. Cabrales added another finish in that span.
But the resilient Vikings came back with a four-point run of their own with Gabby Colon serving, as three straight unforced Westfield errors and a kill by Rachel Williams leveled things up at 10-10.
Leading 15-14 later in the set, Rodrigues came through with an ace as part of a three-point spurt to give Westfield a commanding 18-14 lead late. Muller would add consecutive kills later in the set to bring the contest to match point, and a Union Catholic error would ultimately seal it.
“I think us seniors all wanted to bring (the title) back our senior year, and it feels great to get it,” Muller said. “I love being able to win with my teammates and hope we can keep it going.”
