At Cherokee, spikes, digs, wins, but no drama

The Cherokee girls' volleyball team has size, speed, talent, and tenacity.

But it might be what the Chiefs are missing that's the key to their 6-0 start.

"This is probably the first team I've ever played on in any sport where there's no drama," Cherokee senior outside hitter Michelle Meehan said. "It's amazing how well we all get along. That's the reason we're so excited about this season."

Cherokee probably has been the best team in South Jersey through the first three weeks of the season. The Chiefs are No. 1 in the South Jersey Volleyball Coaches Association rankings.

Cherokee won the Williamstown Tournament on opening weekend, scored impressive regular-season victories over No. 2 Moorestown and No. 4 Eastern, and finished second last weekend in the Spiketacular Tournament, losing to Pennsylvania power Academy of Notre Dame.

Meehan and junior setter Grace Streicher have led the way.

Meehan had 19 kills against Eastern, and her jump serves jump-started the victory over Moorestown.

"Michelle sets the tempo for our team," Cherokee coach Erika McGinley said. "She has such a great attitude. She's always getting the girls pumped up."

Streicher had 15 assists and seven aces in a victory over Lenape on Monday.

"Grace is so quick that even if we have a bad pass, she can make it work," McGinley said.

Meehan has collected 36 kills, 16 aces, and 18 digs. Streicher, who set a school record with 300 assists last season, has 93 assists this season.

Cherokee also has received solid play from Melissa Lake, Claire Bennett, Jen Huffmire, Alyssa Gilboy, and Jess Quinlan, among others.

The Chiefs gained some confidence last season, winning two games in the Group 4 tournament before falling to eventual state champion Bridgewater-Raritan in a competitive 2-0 game (25-16, 25-16).

Cherokee has tough regular-season games ahead against Olympic American rivals Rancocas Valley and Cherry Hill East as well as 8-1 Williamstown, which is No. 2 in the SJVBA rankings.

In addition, the South section of the Group 4 tournament is loaded, with traditional powers Hunterdon Central and Southern as well as Williamstown.

"This year, we're going to be hard to beat," Meehan said.

The Chiefs have plenty of talent. But team chemistry might be their secret weapon.

"The best thing about this team is that nobody is catty," Streicher said. "There's no drama at all. I have friends who talk to me or text me in school and they always are like, 'I'm so jealous. I want to be on the volleyball team because you guys are so close and you have so much fun.' "