Spartans, Paladins Set for Upcoming Fall Season

Autumn is here and with it brings the start of a new school year and the opening of the fall athletic seasons for the  and .

Patch takes a look at the soccer, volleyball, tennis and cross country teams at both high school.

Soccer

In his second year as head coach, Glenn Haug and his high flying Spartans could very well top their 2011 campaign (12-5) behind front line Seton Hall-bound Sarah Cortes and running mate Noel Hodgins. While the team is relatively young after graduating the bulk of the back line and goalie, incoming freshman Julia Koenemund so impressed Haug that she secured the sweeper position early on. She'll have help from midfielders Victoria Poplaski and Katie Weiss.

The Spartan boys team will once again be a defensive-minded squad as Randy Casallas slips in the role of sweeper. Also bolstering head coach Al Romeo's back line are keeper Rushil Surapeneni and defenders Adrian Mondano, Joe Iovacci, and Brian Llama. Scoring machine Max Bradozan is looking to top last season's record and make huge plays with Lucas Tasci, Tom Casale, Giovanni Piccione and Mike Bartner.

The Lady Paladins could be the most well rounded team the school has seen in the past few years as head coach Bill McPartland will lean on all-around athlete Kimmie Mignone to not only score but help set up her teammates to succeed. Mignone will be uptop with sophomore Delaney Suarez, freshman center midfielder Julianna Mascalli and junior midfielder Mairead Ruane. The only thing that could cause PC some concern is that keeper Kayla Adams is new to the pitch and will have to grow up quick on the field as she learns the game from sweeper Stephanie Bonilla and marking back JIllian Gonzalez.

After sharing a piece of the Big North United title with Don Bosco, the Paladins are on a mission to prove they are one of the biggest threats to a County title and late season postruns. And with 13 starters taking the field this season, expect PC to be a force to reckon with. Among this year's roster are defenders Brenden Wishard, Luis Marin, Jose Angeles and Frank Cianci with the midfield covered by Jose Meza and George Popa.

Tennis

The Lady Paladins could very well be a contender in the Big North United division behind Na­talie Cioffari (first singles), Katie Laplishi (singles), Kayla Kroning (singles) and doubles teams Camile Perez/Olivia D'Amata and Brindsi Liberty/Samantha Contreas. Jenae Mcliesh will also see some action filling in as an alternate double this season.

The Spartans head into the Big North Freedom division with a mix of experience starting with sophomore Sally Li (first singles), junior Cindy Wu (second singles) and senior Sunny Yoon (third singles).

Cross Country

Senior Spartan Mike Secreti is going to give the record books a run for their money this season, but don't be surprised if juniors Erik Helstrom, Danny Pao­lazzi and Yusuke Oshimizu come from behind this season. Jolie Bartner will lead the girls team and be joined by a trio of juniors: Lindsey Lucas, Lauren Mihalik and Annika Nungra - all of whom are hungry to make their names known.

The Paladins boys may have a harder road to run this season with senior Andrew Konnerth out with an injury and will have to rely on Rasha Wilkerson, Richard Contreras, Dominick Savio and Brandon Hernandez to lead the way. The girls have seniors Catherine Bradshaw and Lila Morreale and juniors Adrianna Castro and Danielle Nelson to keep the Lady Paladins in the mix against IHA and Holy Angels.

Volleyball

The Lady Paladins were heavily hit by graduation and will need their underclassman to step up quickly in the season and support returners M Georgette Smith and H Jessica Breen for a winning season.

Paramus returns eight starters and will be at the top of the Freedom division for a title as seniors S/H Stephanie Garino and M Nikki Molfetas, and juniors L Jessica Chakonis and H Carly Turton seek a return to the top of the standings. Mariah Bellinger should contribute huge kills this season as well.

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