Player of the year: Whenever Union Catholic needed a big play, it looked to Julie Monroy. The four-year starter possesses great hands and court sense, making her one of the best all-around talents in the state.

Union Catholic relied on her contributions from every position in the rotation this season, and she sparked the offensive attack with a team-leading 296 kills from the back and front rows. Monroy was also the anchor to Union Catholic's defense, finishing with a team-best 158 digs. In addition, the senior outside hitter’s hard float serve produced another team-best of 156 service points, including 36 aces.
 
Within Monroy's extensive skill-set, her most lethal asset may be the ability to place her powerful hits and serves. A valuable asset for Union Catholic, it was Monroy’s biggest improvement over her four years in its lineup.
 
“In the moment, you have to slow the game down and see what is open on the other court and how to place your shot," she said of developing the skill. "It takes a lot of practice to learn, but over time I was able to get it.” 

Team of the year: Led by a group of talented seniors, Union Catholic continued its dominance against all county competitors this fall. Returning for a fourth and final season were two big cannons -- Annyssa Herlihy and Julie Monroy -- who once again teamed to take the Scotch-Plains school to a fourth-straight Union County Tournament title and ninth overall.

Union Catholic also received significant contributions throughout the season from two other veteran seniors -- middle blocker Kim Esguerra and libero Lauren Faria. Faria’s consistency, Esguerra’s big blocks, Herlihy’s powerful kills and Monroy’s all-around abilities powered Union Catholic to straight-set victories in all four of its UCT contests.

Monroy (11.0 kills, 5.9 digs, 5.8 service points per match), Herlihy (7.7 kills, 4.4 digs), Faria (5.4 digs, 5.0 service points) and Esguerra (3.9 kills, 1.0 digs) all keyed Union Catholic’s 27-3 finish and a No. 7 ranking in The Star-Ledger Top 20. The team was 16-0 in the Union Conference, including 10-0 in the Watchung Hills Division. The seniors also propelled Union Catholic to a fourth-straight appearance in the NJSIAA Non-Public tournament championship where it fell to eventual Tournament of Champions winner Immaculate Heart Academy, the No. 1 team in The Star-Ledger Top 20.