August 26, 2025
From dancer to Division III commit: The Pinelands senior’s remarkable journey to finding her volleyball calling
Down by six points. Game point for the opponent. The weight of an entire season seemingly resting on one player’s shoulders. For most athletes, this would be the moment when pressure becomes paralyzing. For Jayda Quigley, it became the moment that defined not just a match, but her entire volleyball career.
“It was during the third and final set and we were down by 6 and it was game point for DC. I was up to serve and felt the weight of the game on my shoulders, but I just took a deep breath and served the first ball over and got an ace,” Quigley recalls of that pivotal match against Donovan Catholic. What followed was what she now calls her “Hozier yell moment” (a reference that speaks to her generation’s connection to music and emotion): a serving run that would turn certain defeat into stunning victory.
“I kept serving until it hit the last point for us to win the game. I took another deep breath and calmed myself then served the ball and it went over. The player shanked the ball off into the stands and it was an ace for that last point. I just remember standing in awe for a second as the stands went crazy and I realized we finally won.”
From the Dance Floor to the Volleyball Court
Quigley’s path to volleyball wasn’t traditional. For ten years of her life, competitive dance consumed her world. “I was a competitive dancer at the time and that took over my life for 10 years,” she explains. Volleyball was an afterthought, something she picked up “just for fun” in seventh grade.
But sometimes the most profound changes come from the most unexpected places. “It was in my freshman year when things really changed for me. My mom’s friend and now my club Coach Sydney started training me and brought me to ECC that summer before my freshman year started just practicing during summer clinics.”
That introduction to the East Coast Crush volleyball club would prove transformative. “That is where I met Coach Phil along with Coach Lex & D from ECC and my whole perspective on volleyball changed. I tried out for their club team, and I was shocked when I made it. I was not truly confident in myself yet as I was still new to volleyball.”
The statistics from her junior season tell the story of a player who has found her calling. In 72 sets played during the 2024 campaign, Quigley compiled 133 kills, 231 digs, 212 service points, and an impressive 82 aces. Those numbers place her among the top performers on a Pinelands team that finished with an outstanding 27-4 record and captured both the Shore Conference B South title and the South Jersey Group 2 championship.
The Foundation of Champions
What makes Pinelands special isn’t just individual talent, but the chemistry built over years of playing together. Quigley emphasizes this when discussing her core group of teammates. “Our key returners to watch would be Jayla Kline our libero, Maddison Wilbert & Heidi Cyphert our middles. I have been playing with these girls since we were in 7th grade and our communication and connection on the court is very strong.”
The bond between these players is evident in how Quigley describes their individual strengths. “Jayla has no fear of diving for balls, digging a hard hit and chase a ball into the stands. Maddie and Heidi are both strong hitters & blockers whether it is Maddie running a slide and or Heidi getting a big block or even a great save on the front of the net.”
That foundation, built over years of shared experiences, creates something special. “We truly all have a great connection on the court when we are on it together. It is sad to think that this is our last year stepping onto a court together,” Quigley reflects with the bittersweet awareness that comes with being a senior.
But Pinelands isn’t just relying on their veteran core. The program has successfully integrated new talent to maintain their competitive edge. “We do have a bunch of new faces to watch and it is hard for me to just name some when all my teammates are really showing out this year, but some you will see or hear about will be our setters Riley McQuaid and Chloe Tucker as they are both are really stepping it up on the court for this season.”
Leadership Through Adversity
The transition hasn’t been without challenges. The graduation of their longtime setter, Olivia Shertenlieb, created a significant void that needed filling. “The only difference will be in our setting as our setter for the last three years has graduated, but as I mentioned before our two new setters are really stepping up,” Quigley explains.
For Quigley, this challenge presented an opportunity to grow as a leader. “This year I feel my role will be just being a great teammate and leader on the court. I feel when teammates are good to one another and helpful it makes the team unity better on and off the court.”
Her approach to leadership is rooted in empathy and understanding. “I try to bring as much positivity to the court during games, so it keeps the whole team’s demeanor up. I know what it is like to make mistakes and not have a great game so if I can help another to get out of their head and feel better, I am all for it.”
This leadership philosophy has helped Pinelands maintain their championship standard. “Some main goals for us this season I would say is to strengthen our defense and to make a good connection with our new setters on varsity. We are looking to continue to keep our B South & sectional title that we won last year.”
Dreams Fulfilled
While team success remains the primary focus, Quigley’s individual journey reached a milestone that seemed impossible during those early days when she was “not truly confident” in her abilities. “This past April I verbally committed to play D3 volleyball for St.Joseph College of Maine. I have now been accepted into their Nursing program, deposit made and getting ready to sign my commitment letter next week.”
The path to that commitment wasn’t easy. “I have visited a lot of schools since my freshman year, met a lot of coaches and played on a lot of courts, but when I stepped onto St. Joes campus and court I just knew this was it for me. Coach Roberts is everything I could want in a coach, the girls on the team were so welcoming and the school had everything I was looking for.”
That moment of recognition (finding her “home”) represents the culmination of years of dedicated work. “I was doing training in the off season, lifting 6 days a week in the gym, going to college prospect camps and anything I could to build my confidence and be a better teammate and player.”
The Work Never Stops
Even with her college commitment secured, Quigley’s dedication hasn’t wavered. “My grind still does not stop though just because I am committed. I still train 6 days a week, practice when I can and do training on the side. I will still play club for ECC and plan to improve even more on my skills in volleyball.”
This work ethic reflects lessons learned from every coach who has invested in her development. “I owe a lot to all my coaches and trainers as they made me the player I am today. They all had faith in me even when I did not have any in myself. They all had their own ways to pull out the player in me I am today and I am forever grateful for my Pinelands and ECC coaches.”
Championship Expectations
The combination of veteran leadership and emerging talent has created high expectations for Pinelands this season. “We are also going to be working hard to make it to the final in the Shore conference championships as we fell a game short of it last year. I really think this year we have a good shot to make it to the finals.”
The competition won’t be easy. “We will have some tough competition this year being against our rivals Donovan Catholic, Barnegat and Southern, but I do feel though we have a really good chance of winning against these teams.”
What gives Quigley confidence isn’t just talent, but preparation. “I think this year our team has the power and will to improve from our last year’s record. The difference is I think almost every girl playing on our court has played club VB and trained through the summer. So it gives a good advantage on the court that we all have had our hands on a ball and playing on a court since last season.”
Lessons From the Journey
The transformation from recreational dancer to Division III volleyball commit offers lessons that extend far beyond sports. That crucial match against Donovan Catholic taught Quigley something fundamental about perseverance. “Just from that experience it taught me to never give up because at the end of the day there is always a way for you to win no matter how many points you may be down you. You just have to trust your teammates and coaches and just play the game the way you want it to go.”
Her philosophy is simple but powerful: “I believe if you set your mind to it and believe in yourself. You can truly accomplish everything you want in life. It just takes hard work, determination and never giving up.”
The Final Chapter
As Quigley prepares for her final high school season, there’s an awareness that this chapter is coming to an end. “All of our girls are very driven and motivated this year to have a great season,” she says, embodying the team-first mentality that has defined her career.
For fans coming to watch Pinelands this season, they can expect something special. “As far as fans coming to watch us play this year, they will be excited to see some really competitive games being played. I do have to say Pinelands has a huge fan base and we are blessed that they travel all over with us. You will always see a decent crowd watching no matter where we go to play.”
That fan support means something to the players. “I think that is what gives us the motivation to play as hard as we do. We want to give them good games to watch.”
From a seventh-grader playing “just for fun” to a senior leader heading to college on her athletic ability, Jayda Quigley’s story represents the power of finding your passion and pursuing it relentlessly. Her “Hozier yell” moment against Donovan Catholic wasn’t just about serving aces under pressure (though those 82 aces on the season suggest she’s gotten quite good at that). It was about discovering that sometimes, when everything is on the line, you find out exactly what you’re capable of.
And for Jayda Quigley, that turned out to be quite a lot indeed.
