About a month ago, when the Southern Regional and North Hunterdon girls volleyball teams faced off in a regular-season contest, it was evident the two squads were evenly matched, despite the Lions snagging a 2-1 victory. So, when it came time for the Rams and Lions to take the court at William Paterson University for the NJSIAA Group IV championship on Nov. 10, the second-seeded Southern girls knew they had the capability to overcome the top-seeded crew from the other side of the bracket.

“Coach Maxwell has always said we had the ability to get here,” said junior Gianna Schiattarella, who delivered seven…