The First Installment in Our 2025 Series Following New Jersey’s Finest High School Volleyball Alumni
The pipeline from New Jersey high school volleyball courts to college programs across the nation continues to produce remarkable success stories. As we launch our 2025 series tracking the journeys of former Garden State prep stars, the evidence is clear: New Jersey volleyball is thriving at the collegiate level, with athletes not only earning spots on competitive rosters but emerging as leaders, record-breakers, and academic standouts.
From Division I powerhouses to smaller college programs, these young women are carrying the lessons learned in New Jersey gymnasiums to new heights, proving that the foundation built in their high school careers has prepared them for success both on the court and in the classroom.
The Jersey Foundation Pays Dividends
Mia Owens: From Williamstown to Rutgers-Camden Excellence
Williamstown High School (Class of 2023) → Rutgers-Camden
Perhaps no story better exemplifies the complete student-athlete experience than that of Mia Owens, who has transformed from a Williamstown High School standout into one of Rutgers-Camden’s most dependable players and brightest students. The 5-2 defensive specialist has become the heart of the Scarlet Raptors’ defense while maintaining academic excellence that puts her among the university’s elite scholars.
Owens’ high school credentials were impressive… a two-time All-Conference First Team selection who helped lead the Braves to two state volleyball championships and a Tournament of Champions title. She was recognized as an All-South Jersey player and earned Tournament MVP honors, establishing herself as one of the premier defensive players in the state. Her dedication to excellence extended beyond volleyball, as she also earned four softball letters and multiple academic honors.
That foundation has translated seamlessly to the collegiate level. In her sophomore season at Rutgers-Camden, Owens led the team with 381 digs, the 11th-highest single-season total in program history. Her consistency is remarkable: she collected double-digit digs in 20 of her 26 matches, including a season-high 27 digs in a five-set thriller against Wilkes and 26 digs over four sets against rival Rowan.
With 692 career digs already to her credit, Owens sits 12th on the program’s all-time list and needs just 308 more to become only the sixth player in Rutgers-Camden history to reach the coveted 1,000-dig milestone, a testament to her durability and impact. Her 2023 freshman campaign saw her lead the team with 311 digs and a 3.53 digs per set average, immediately establishing herself as the anchor of the defense.
But Owens’ impact extends far beyond statistics. She’s proven to be a versatile contributor, adding 46 assists and 17 aces in her sophomore season while demonstrating leadership that coaches value. Her ability to excel in pressure situations, evidenced by multiple 20-plus dig performances in five-set matches, shows the mental toughness developed during her championship runs at Williamstown.
Academically, Owens represents the gold standard of the student-athlete ideal. A Business Marketing major with a Health Sciences minor, she has appeared on the Rutgers-Camden Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for multiple semesters and was one of only 41 athletes on the 180-member 2025 Spring AD Honor Roll to post a perfect 4.0 GPA. Her goal of becoming a pharmaceutical sales representative reflects the same strategic thinking she brings to reading opposing offenses on the volleyball court.
The versatility that made Owens special at Williamstown continues to serve her well, as she also competed for the Scarlet Raptors softball team, appearing in 17 games and contributing both behind the plate and at second base while maintaining her perfect academic record.
Aries Fontaine: Elizabeth’s Rising Star Shines at NJIT
Elizabeth High School (Class of 2024) → New Jersey Institute of Technology
The rapid ascent of Aries Fontaine from Elizabeth High School standout to impact freshman at NJIT demonstrates how quickly exceptional talent can adapt to the collegiate level. The 5-9 outside hitter wasted no time making her presence felt for the Highlanders, proving that her stellar senior season at Elizabeth was just a preview of bigger things to come.
Fontaine’s high school resume was spectacular, she was named the 2024 New Jersey Section 2 Player of the Year, the highest individual honor in one of the state’s most competitive regions. Her selection to All-County and All-State teams confirmed her status as one of New Jersey’s elite players, recognition that translated immediately to success in the America East Conference.
As a freshman at NJIT, Fontaine appeared in 21 matches and earned 10 starts, impressive numbers for a first-year player in a competitive Division I program. Her 113 total kills and 1.79 kills per set average established her as a legitimate offensive threat while she adjusted to the speed and physicality of college volleyball.
The defining moment of her freshman campaign came in the victory over Sacred Heart, where she exploded for a season-high 14 kills while contributing five total blocks. This performance showcased the complete skill set that made her a coveted recruit, not just the ability to put the ball away, but the defensive awareness and timing that separates good players from great ones.
Fontaine’s first career double-double, achieved with 10 kills and 13 digs at Delaware State, demonstrated her evolution into a complete player. The dig total was particularly impressive for an outside hitter still learning the nuances of Division I back-row play, showing the work ethic and coachability that Elizabeth High School coaches must have recognized early in her development.
As a biomedical engineering major, Fontaine is tackling one of the most challenging academic programs while competing at the highest level of collegiate volleyball. This combination of athletic excellence and academic rigor reflects the comprehensive preparation she received at Elizabeth High School, where coaches and teachers clearly emphasized excellence in all areas.
With three years of eligibility remaining, Fontaine appears poised to become a cornerstone of the NJIT program. Her freshman production suggests she could develop into one of the America East Conference’s premier outside hitters, carrying the banner for New Jersey volleyball on the Division I stage.
Skyers Excels for D1 Tulane Green Wave
Sabrina Skyers represents the ultimate success story, having parlayed her Kent Place School career into a starring role at Tulane University. The 6-1 graduate student from West Orange has become one of the Green Wave’s most reliable performers, leading the team in assisted blocks (99) while contributing 145 kills in her standout 2023 season.
Skyers’ high school foundation at Kent Place School was impressive – a three-year letterwinner who helped capture NJ Prep state titles in both her sophomore and senior seasons while earning NJISAA Prep All-Star recognition. Her club experience with USANY, including international competition in Croatia and AAU Northeast Super Regional All-Tournament Team selection, provided the high-level experience necessary for American Athletic Conference success.
Her career-high performance against UAB with 10 kills, 14.5 points, and eight total blocks exemplified the complete game that has made her a key contributor for Tulane. As a legal studies major pursuing graduate education, Skyers represents the ideal of the student-athlete who uses volleyball as a platform for academic and professional development.
Tayla O’Connor: Roxbury’s Renaissance Player Excels at FDU
Roxbury High School (Class of 2023) → Fairleigh Dickinson University
The remarkable freshman campaign of Tayla O’Connor at FDU-Florham demonstrates how comprehensive high school preparation can translate to immediate collegiate impact. The 5-6 outside hitter from Roxbury has already established herself as a key contributor for the Devils while pursuing an ambitious academic path in Medical Imaging Science.
O’Connor’s high school credentials at Roxbury were impressive both athletically and academically. As a First and Second Team All-Conference player, she helped lead Roxbury volleyball to State Sectional and Morris County Championships, earning Team MVP honors and the Student Athlete Renaissance award, recognition that speaks to her excellence in multiple areas.
Her academic achievements were equally noteworthy, as she graduated as a high honor roll student while earning the Seal of Biliteracy and membership in both the Music Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. This well-rounded excellence has continued at FDU-Florham, where she was named to the 2024 MAC Fall Academic Honor Roll while majoring in Medical Imaging Science: Vascular Sonography, one of the most challenging programs in healthcare education.
On the court, O’Connor has made an immediate impact as a freshman, playing 68 sets across 25 matches and tallying impressive numbers for a first-year player. Her 180 kills demonstrate consistent offensive production, while her 209 digs show the defensive awareness that made her successful at Roxbury. The combination of offensive firepower and defensive reliability makes her an ideal outside hitter for the system at FDU-Florham.
Her career-high 18 kills against Bard showcased the scoring potential that college coaches saw during her recruitment. For a 5-6 outside hitter to produce at that level requires exceptional technique, court sense, and competitive fire, qualities that were clearly developed during her championship runs at Roxbury.
O’Connor’s choice of FDU-Florham reflects the thoughtful decision-making that has characterized her academic and athletic career. She specifically chose the university for its specialized major in her desired field of study, the personalized learning environment provided by smaller class sizes, and the opportunity to continue competing in volleyball at a high level.
The combination of immediate volleyball success and academic excellence in a demanding healthcare program suggests O’Connor is well-positioned for continued success. Her freshman statistics indicate she could develop into one of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s top outside hitters while preparing for a career in medical imaging.
Several other New Jersey products are making their mark across different competitive levels, each bringing unique skills developed in high school programs throughout the state.
Olivia Alicante made the significant jump from St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Class of 2023) to Northeastern University, one of the nation’s most competitive Division I programs. The 5-10 outside hitter from North Plainfield had an impressive high school career, setting multiple school records including most kills in a game (32), kills in a single season (284), and career kills (695). Her recognition as a UA Next Select honoree and SOSVBC National MVP, combined with helping capture the 2021 GMC Blue Division Championship, prepared her for the demands of Colonial Athletic Association competition.
Though still developing at the Division I level, Alicante’s career-high five kills and 10 digs against Niagara in her freshman season showed flashes of the potential that made her a coveted recruit. Her record-setting high school production suggests she has the offensive capability to develop into a significant contributor as she adjusts to the speed of Division I volleyball.
Molly Newton has made an immediate impact at Sacred Heart University after graduating from Morris County School of Technology (Class of 2023). The 6-4 middle blocker and opposite has proven that technical school preparation can translate to Division I success, appearing in 13 matches with eight starts as a freshman while contributing 31 kills and 30 blocks.
Newton’s season-high five blocks against multiple opponents, including Charleston Southern, Merrimack, and Rider, demonstrate the timing and presence that made her an All-Conference and MVP player in high school. Her versatility in playing both middle blocker and opposite reflects the complete skill development that characterized her multi-sport career at Morris County School of Technology, where she also competed in soccer and basketball.
The New Jersey Advantage
These success stories share common threads that speak to the strength of New Jersey high school volleyball. Each player benefited from strong coaching, competitive leagues, and programs that emphasized both athletic and academic excellence. The variety of high schools represented, from technical institutes to traditional public schools to private academies, shows that volleyball talent develops across all types of educational environments in the Garden State.
The academic achievements of these players are particularly noteworthy. Multiple Honor Roll selections, perfect GPA’s, specialized majors in demanding fields, and graduate school pursuits demonstrate that New Jersey high school volleyball programs are developing complete student-athletes who understand that education is the foundation for long-term success.
The geographic diversity of their college destinations, from in-state programs like Rutgers-Camden and NJIT to out-of-state opportunities at Tulane, West Chester, and Northeastern, shows that New Jersey players are recruited nationally and succeeding at various competitive levels.
Building for the Future
As we continue to track these players throughout the 2025 season and beyond, their stories serve as inspiration for current high school players across New Jersey. The path from high school standout to college contributor requires dedication, adaptability, and a commitment to growth that extends far beyond athletic skills.
These six players represent just the beginning of our comprehensive look at New Jersey volleyball alumni. Their diverse paths and early successes at the collegiate level demonstrate that the foundation being built in high school gymnasiums across the state is preparing players for sustained excellence.
The combination of strong high school programs, dedicated coaching, and players committed to continuous improvement continues to establish New Jersey as a volleyball hotbed. As these players progress through their collegiate careers, they’re not just representing their universities… they’re ambassadors for the quality and character of New Jersey volleyball.
Their success stories will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Garden State volleyball players, proving that with dedication, proper preparation, and a commitment to excellence both on the court and in the classroom, the transition from New Jersey high school volleyball to collegiate success is not just possible… it’s becoming the expectation. Make sure to track and support these players throughout their college seasons in 2025.
This concludes the first installment of our 2025 series tracking New Jersey volleyball alumni. Stay tuned as we continue following these remarkable student-athletes throughout their collegiate careers and beyond.