Yessica Nuñez, the senior setter tearing it up for Cliffside Park, just landed the North Jersey Female Athlete of the Week honors, and get this, it happened right after she absolutely shattered the Red Raiders’ career assist record. We’re talking about a monumental week that saw her hit her 800th career assist on a spike from her twin sister Wilma on October 2nd, during a massive 2-1 win at Memorial.
Breaking the Record, Following an Idol
Seriously, this kid is on another level. That game at Memorial? Nuñez threw down a personal single-match best with 37 assists. Her coach, Matt Brunelli, dug through records all the way back to 2010, and going into this week, Yessica was sitting at an insane 836 career assists, blowing past Reyna Sutuj’s 802. It’s wild because Reyna was actually Yessica’s idol! When Nuñez was a freshman, Sutuj was a senior, and Yessica straight up said Reyna was one of her inspirations to become a setter, calling her “the most amazing role model to me.” She’s not just breaking records, she’s carrying on a tradition, too.
The Nuñez Family’s Volleyball Dynasty
But here’s the kicker: Yessica’s impact isn’t just about her individual numbers or even the school’s growing list of AOWs. It’s deeper than that. It’s all about family. Her mom played volleyball in the Dominican Republic, balling out with all her sisters. So yeah, in the Nuñez household, volleyball isn’t just a sport, it’s a high standard, a legacy. Her older sister, Stephanie, who’s 26 now, actually got Yessica and Wilma into the game back when they were seven years old. Yessica vividly remembers Stephanie teaching them at the park, telling them, “She realized that we have natural talent for it.” Can you believe Yessica was almost a soccer player? She said it was a “last-minute decision” to ditch the middle school soccer team for volleyball. Good call, right?
1,000 Assists and Beyond: What’s Next?
So, what’s next for the girl who’s already left such a huge mark? Nuñez has a real shot at becoming the first Red Raider ever to hit 1,000 career assists, and you know Wilma’s going to be her go-to for those milestone spikes. Beyond Cliffside Park, Yessica’s got her sights set on the medical field, calling the sciences “more fascinating for me.” She’s looking at colleges in Pennsylvania, specifically to be closer to Stephanie. And naturally, she’s hoping to keep that court connection going with Wilma, too, saying, “We’re hoping to go to the same college.” But if only one college is the perfect fit for her, she’s willing to “split ways.” This kid clearly thrives on the court, especially when her family is right there with her, pushing that legacy forward. Keep an eye on her, because Yessica Nuñez is just getting started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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