Jeff Stiefbold brought a long record of experience with him when he took over Verona High School’s volleyball program this fall and it showed Monday afternoon in more ways than one: The team soundly defeated Barringer High School and Stiefbold got his 500th career win.
The VHS girls piled up a 25-13, 25-3 score with junior Paige Ferrell leading the squad with 18 service points and three aces. Senior Soufien Hakimzadeh had six service points and two aces. Senior Eliza Sniatkowski continued the rampage she started in last week’s match against Montclair Kimberley Academy, amassing nine kills, four digs and one service point. Verona’s opponents would also be well advised to keep an eye on Alex Luehs, who had 20 assists on the afternoon.
But when the buzzer sounded on the second match Stiefbold’s twin brother Scott was ready with the celebration balloons and a commemorative plaque. The team posed for its photos with both Stiefbolds and a special guest of honor: their father, legendary VHS coach George “Steppy” Stiefbold, who still holds the VHS record for most soccer coaching wins. Jeff Stiefbold, a 1982 graduate of VHS, was the varsity volleyball coach at James Caldwell High School from 1988 to 2009, where he had a record of 497 wins and 101 losses, as well as 15 conference championships, six Essex County championships and group state championships in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009.
The Verona girls have a 3-4 record and take on Newark’s University High School at home on Wednesday.
