2023 Shore Sports Network Girls Volleyball All-Shore First Team Presented by Surf Taco

2023 Shore Sports Network Girls Volleyball All-Shore First Team

Presented by: Surf Taco

Teams selected by Shore Sports Network’s Scott Martin and journalist John Carelli based on team impact, stats, quality of stat, coaches input, first and second-hand accounts (not necessarily in that order).

Let's dive into the 2023 Shore Sports Network Girls Volleyball All-Shore First Team.

Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist

Jordyn Hamlin, Sr, Southern Regional

2023 Stats: 278 Kills, 212 Digs, 189 Service Points, 52 Aces, 12 Assists, 9 Blocks

Jordyn Hamlin came into her senior season as one of the best outside hitter’s in the state, and through exceptional play ends her high school career as a state champion and one of the most dynamic athletes across all of New Jersey athletics. She made the move part way through the season into a different rotational slot because like her swings from the outside, she is just as good defensively. With a talented Rams roster, her new position put massive pressure on opposing teams providing zero reprieve.

While Hamlin led the Rams at outside hitter, the defensive side of Hamlin combined with her leadership made her one of the easiest decisions in the All-Shore selections. She ended her senior season with 278 kills (788 career kills) and 212 digs (729 career digs).

Jordyn Hamlin will continue her volleyball career at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York.

Outside Hitter

Shantel Starling, Sr, Donovan Catholic

2023 Stats: 301 Kills, 220 Digs, 76 Aces, 13 Blocks, 5 Assists

Donovan Catholic has been dominant over the last two seasons largely due to the stellar play by outside hitter Shantel Starling. Starling reached 500 kills in her career after a huge senior year. The Griffins star set school career records while only starting her junior and senior year.

Starling led the Griffins to appearances in the Shore Conference Tournament final and Non-Public sectional semifinal.

Starling will continue her volleyball career at Florida Atlantic University.

Outside Hitter

Jill Becker, Jr, Pinelands

2023 Stats: 250 Digs, 219 Kills, 119 Service Points, 58 Aces, 9 Assists, 4 Blocks

Pinelands came out as one of the more consistent teams across the conference, winning 18 matches and making it back to the South Jersey Group III sectional final. The key reason behind this run was junior Jill Becker, lead outside hitter of the Wildcats. Becker had an astonishing season, putting up 250 digs and 219 kills while being Pinelands' strongest server. Becker will return for her senior year to try and put Pinelands right back in the position they were this Fall. With Becker back on the court, the Wildcats are top contenders for a state title.

Setter

Molly Regulski, Sr, Southern Regional

2023 Stats: 712 Assists, 204 Service Points, 116 Digs, 78 Aces, 34 Kills, 17 Blocks

Molly Regulski impacts the game through exceptional setting and impeccable service game. 712 assists during her senior year creates an average of 20.94 assists per match. Regulski tallied double-digit totals in assists in every match she played, having 20+ assists in 20 matches in 2023.

Regulski is one of the main reasons why Southern Regional recaptured the Shore Conference Tournament and won the NJSIAA Group IV final. Regulski will forever go down as a Shore Conference volleyball legend and has cemented herself as one of the best setters in conference history.

Middle Blocker

Savannah Butz, Sr, Colts Neck

2023 Stats: 140 Kills, 91 Blocks, 44 Digs, 23 Service Points, 3 Assists, 2 Aces

It wasn't the year that the Cougars had expected out of their 2023 core, but middle blocker Savannah Butz always kept the program in matches with her leadership on the court. As one of the Shore Conference's premier middle blockers, Butz recorded 91 blocks. Butz ended her career three blocks shy of 200 and also was one of the major reasons why the Cougars pulled off a first-round playoff victory against Red Bank Regional. Butz' strongest match came against Red Bank Catholic, posting 13 kills and 12 blocks over the span of three sets.

Middle Blocker

Taylor Sofilkanich, So, St. John Vianney

2023 Stats: 119 Kills, 47 Blocks, 6 Digs, 3 Assists

Taylor Sofilkanich rounds out the middle blockers for the All-Shore first team, earning that honor as a sophomore. Sofilkanich made a major impact in her second full season for the Lancers, leading the way with 47 blocks while adding a strong 119 kills (and some of the best celebrations). The Lancers 20-win season was possible due to players like Sofilkanich. Besides the statistical barrage she posted, Sofilkanich also led by example and kept her team even-keeled at all times. With Sofilkanich back for two more seasons, the future remains bright for the Lancers.

Libero

Sofia D'Arcangelo, So, Toms River South

2023 Stats: 367 Digs, 89 Service Points, 67 Assists, 38 Aces, 5 Kills

The Indians of Toms River South were dealt with a juggernaut of a schedule and found themselves inside a highly competitive division all season long. Sophomore Sofia D'Arcangelo emerged as not only the Indians star player on the court, but one of the best liberos across the conference. Averaging 16 digs a game, D'Arcangelo put her body on the line for the Indians left and right. D'Arcangelo had 38 digs over two sectional playoff games, leading to an upset victory over Shawnee in the first round. Returning back for the next two seasons, expect the Indians to become a bigger divisional threat because of Sofia D'Arcangelo.

Serving Specialist

Macayla Lindner, Sr, Donovan Catholic

2023 Stats: 174 Digs, 168 Kills, 99 Aces, 5 Blocks, 3 Digs

2023 had its fair share of excellent servers across the conference, but nobody has a better service game than Donovan Catholic's Macayla Lindner. Leading the conference with 99 aces, Lindner played a crucial role in the Griffins 27-win season. Lindner had 14 aces across the state tournament, reaching the Non-Public semifinal. Lindner posted aces in all but four matches throughout the season, showing why she's the best server in the conference.

Utility

Karolyna Bojko, Sr, Middletown South

2023 Stats: 346 Assists, 76 Digs, 61 Service Points, 37 Kills, 34 Blocks, 31 Aces

The 2023 Middletown South Eagles emerged as one of the surprise teams across the conference. The Eagles came within inches of winning the division, won their first ever Shore Conference Tournament match and won their first state tournament match in program history. While the Eagles were filled with assets, nobody stepped up like Karolyna Bojko. With 346 assists, Bojko continuously rallied her team together. Even when things seemed bleak, Bojko’s passion fueled her squad. While her performances on the court were talked about, her off-the-court leadership was mentioned more. Bojko led by example and proved to be the perfect "utility" for a program that soared to new heights.