The Catholic Star Herald highlights the Diocese’s student athletes who stood out during the month of November. (Mark Zimmaro, Correspondent)
Abby Dlug
Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Pennsauken
Soccer
Abby Dlug supplied the calming presence on the back end when Bishop Eustace’s games went into overdrive. The Crusaders played deep into tournaments thanks to Dlug’s steady play as the center back. “She’s been fantastic,” Bishop Eustace coach Patrick Hitschler said. “She put her energy and her effort into every day and would always come out ready to go.” Dlug was a First Team All-Olympic Conference National Division defender and was also named First-Team All-South Jersey. She also contributed four goals as the Crusaders went 14-5-3 and won the National Division.
Zharia Harris-Waddy
Paul VI High School, Haddonfield
Volleyball
Zharia Harris-Waddy’s two-way game could be considered the determining factor in winning a state championship. Harris Waddy racked up four kills and one block in the state final and shut down Immaculate Heart Academy’s Brookelyn Talmadge, who is one of the most dangerous hitters in the state. Harris-Waddy’s hard work helped the Eagles defeat the 13-time defending Non-Public A champs and win their first state championship in school history. Harris-Waddy, a junior, ended up with 139 kills, 46 blocks and 44 digs this season.
Liam Higgins
Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Pennsauken
Soccer
Six of Liam Higgins’ team-leading 19 goals came in November as Bishop Eustace’s boys soccer team embarked on a postseason run to the semifinal round of the South Jersey Non-Public B playoffs. Higgins recorded four hat tricks during the season, including a five-goal eruption in the opening round of the playoffs against Wildwood Catholic. Higgins also plays lacrosse and carries a 4.6 GPA. He has 30 goals and 11 assists in his career with one year remaining.
Ava Moore
Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill
Field Hockey
Ava Moore’s breakout season continued into November as Camden Catholic captured the South Jersey Non-Public championship. Moore scored four goals and added three assists during the Irish’s postseason run to boost her season totals to 33 goals and 22 assists. Moore, a junior who recently committed to Wake Forest University in North Carolina, now has 46 goals and 40 assists in her career. Camden Catholic finished the season 21-3 with a sectional championship and an Olympic Conference National Division title.
Gavin Roman
Holy Spirit High School, Absecon
Football
One of Gavin Roman’s biggest games came when the Spartans needed it most. The junior running back scored two touchdowns in Holy Spirit’s 28-0 Non-Public B quarterfinal round upset victory over Hudson Catholic on Nov. 13. Roman caught one touchdown and ran for another to help Holy Spirit (4-5 record) end a four-game losing streak and advance in the playoffs. Through those first nine games, Roman has compiled 643 total yards on offense and scored seven touchdowns.