Southern Regional girls volleyball coach Eric Maxwell believes strength of schedule matters to his program. When they play quality opponents, the Rams become a better team as a result. In short, they become battle tested, prepared for bigger matches later in the season.

That’s why the past week’s seven-match stretch was an important one. It featured multiple quality teams, including the defending NJSIAA Group 4 champions and the group runner-up that hammered the Rams in last year’s sectional…