Set for Title from the Second Seed

The Union Catholic High School girls' volleyball team will set-out to capture its eighth Union County Tournament championship, its third in a row, from the second seed Oct. 20. That's because Cranford earned the top seed at Wednesday night's seeding meeting at Roselle Catholic.

Cranford was seeded ahead of two-time defending champion Union Catholic because the Cougars defeated the Vikings 25-20, 23-25 and 25-15 in their only regular season meeting, which took place Sept. 22 at Cranford.

In that match, Sarah Barry had one ace, seven service points, one kill, 21 aces and one block for Cranford, according to a report on NJ.com, the website for The Star-Ledger

In the 2009 and 2010 championship matches, however, Union Catholic defeated Cranford. Cranford last won the title in 2007 when it defeated Westfield.

Cranford and Union Catholic each scored victories in matches this week. On Tuesday, Cranford improved to 12-3 with a 25-15, 22-25, 25-21 win over New Providence. On Wednesday, Union Catholic defeated Westfield 25-15, 25-17 to improve to 11-4. Union Catholic's losses are to Hunterdon Central, Caldwell and Elizabeth, as well as Cranford.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School earned the 13th seed, but defeated visiting Union on Wednesday by scores of 25-13 and 25-16. Union, which is 10-4, is the fourth seed. The Raiders improved to 5-10.

In first round play set for Oct. 20, Union Catholic will host 15th-seeded Dayton or 18th-seeded Plainfield. Scotch Plains will be at Union.

The quarterfinals take place Oct. 22 at the higher seeds. The semifinals take place Oct. 27 at Roselle Catholic at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The final is scheduled for Oct. 29 at Kean University in Union at 7:30 p.m. The junior varsity final starts at 6 p.m.

NOTES: Union Catholic has won seven Union County Tournaments, including the last two and five in the past decade.

In last year's 25-18, 25-21 win over Cranford in the final at Union Catholic, Julie Monroy – now a standout junior for the Vikings – had five kills, two aces and two blocks.

Last year's semifinals at Union Catholic saw top-seeded Union Catholic down Scotch Plains before second-seeded Cranford ousted Roselle Catholic.

The junior varsity Union County Tournament will have its first round and quarterfinals Oct. 23 at the Rahway Recreation Center and Rahway High School at 9 a.m. The semifinals are Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at a site to still be determined. The final will take place Oct. 29 at Kean University in Union at 6 p.m. Cranford earned the top seed.

GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL UNION COUNTY TOURNAMENT SEEDING:

1-Cranford. 2-Union Catholic. 3-New Providence. 4-Union. 5-Summit. 6-Rahway. 7-Westfield. 8-Elizabeth. 9-Kent Place. 10-St. Patrick. 11-Oak Knoll. 12-Linden. 13-Scotch Plains. 14-Roselle Catholic. 15-Dayton. 16-Johnson. 17-Roselle. 18-Plainfield.

FIRST ROUND:

Wednesday, Oct. 20

At the higher seeds. Times set by home teams.

TOP SIDE OF THE BRACKET:

16-Johnson/17-Roselle at 1-Cranford

9-Kent Place at 8-Elizabeth

13-Scotch Plains at 4-Union

12-Linden at 5-Summit

BOTTOM SIDE OF THE BRACKET:

11-Oak Knoll at 6-Rahway

14-Roselle Catholic at 3-New Providence

10-St. Patrick at 7-Westfield

15-Dayton/18-Plainfield at 2-Union Catholic

QUARTERFINALS:

Friday, Oct. 22

At the higher seeds.

Times set by home teams.

SEMIFINALS:

Wednesday, Oct. 27

At Roselle Catholic

Times: 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

FINALS:

Friday, Oct. 29

At Kean University

JV: 6 p.m.

Varsity: 7:30

UCT CHAMPIONS SINCE 2000:

2009 – Union Catholic def. Cranford 25-18, 25-21 in final.

2008 – Union Catholic def. Cranford 26-24, 17-25, 25-22 in final.

2007 – Cranford def. Westfield 25-18, 25-22 in final.

2006 – Westfield def. Union Catholic 25-19, 25-21 in final.

2005 – Union Catholic def. Rahway 25-22, 25-22 in final.

2004 – Rahway def. New Providence 25-21, 25-11 in final.

2003 – Elizabeth def. Union Catholic 25-21, 16-25, 25-18, 25-20 in final.

2002 – Union Catholic

2001 – Union Catholic

2000 – Union Catholic