9/23/25

The first computer rankings of the New Jersey high school girls volleyball season have arrived, revealing both team dominance and individual brilliance across the Garden State. With over 340 teams competing and a remarkable 17 programs maintaining perfect records, the early season data showcases extraordinary talent from the shore to the mountains.

The Magnificent 17: Perfect Start Brigade

An unprecedented 17 teams have achieved undefeated status through the early going. Leading this elite pack is Paul VI Catholic with a sterling 32.25 rating and 7-0 record, powered by senior Megan Evans (60 kills) and junior Maggie Carcillo (21 kills, 89 assists, 23 aces). Close behind sits Williamstown (32.09, 8-0), where senior Stella Eberly has compiled 42 kills while junior Peyton Wright adds 48 kills and 40 digs.

Princeton (31.36, 9-0) boasts the most impressive individual performance with senior Naomi Lygas recording a stunning 93 kills and 47 digs while maintaining a perfect 18-0 set record. Senior Kaelin Bobetich anchors their defense and setting with 23 kills, 68 digs, and 145 assists.

Old Bridge (30.91, 4th overall) has been equally dominant with their 8-0 record and perfect 16-0 set mark. Senior Weronika Malinowski leads the charge with 44 kills and 44 digs, while senior Tetiana Kontsohrada adds 35 kills and 48 digs. Junior Maya Lupinski has been exceptional as a setter with 162 assists. Of course all-world junior Ashley Markle remains the standout leading the team with 61 kills and 11 aces over 14 sets.

The complete undefeated roster includes Paul VI, Williamstown, Princeton, Old Bridge, Pinelands, Ramapo, Rutherford, Randolph, Verona (Update: Lost Monday), Holmdel, Jackson Township, Ramsey, Madison, Ridge, St. Mary Ruth, Abundant Life, and Newark Central (Update: Lost Monday).

Individual Stars Driving Team Success

Offensive Powerhouses

One of the most dominant offensive forces belongs to West Essex senior Natalia Baca, who has racked up 100 kills while adding 37 digs. Rutherford’s senior Mackenzie Vellis follows with 96 kills, helping drive the Bulldogs’ perfect season alongside senior Cate Finan (145 assists).

Bogota (26.34, ranked 13th) is powered by senior Emma Fowler’s state-leading 128 kills and 44 digs, while sophomore Nikole Alvarez contributes 126 assists and junior Allene Jimenez adds 88 assists to create a formidable setting unit.

Pinelands showcases incredible offensive depth with senior Madison Wilbert (83 kills) and Jayda Quigley (64 kills, 93 digs) leading their perfect 10-0 campaign. Their balanced attack has produced 622 total points, the highest among all ranked teams, with junior Chloe Tucker directing the offense.

Westfield (26.15, 14th overall) features senior Ava Gaspard with 99 kills and 59 digs, complemented by junior Emelia Dengler’s 111 assists and senior Audrey Hu contributing 90 digs and 53 assists.

Other elite attackers include Verona’s junior Brynn Mack (92 kills), Milani Washington from Piscataway (91 kills), and Mount Olive’s junior Izabella Osoria (103 kills).

The Perfect Set Club Leaders

Only five teams have achieved the ultimate consistency of never dropping a set: Paul VI (15-0 sets), Princeton (18-0 sets), Old Bridge (16-0 sets), Holmdel (18-0 sets), and Abundant Life (8-0 sets).

Holmdel (23.43, 31st overall) matches Princeton’s 18-0 set record behind senior Victoria Ji (58 kills, 57 digs) and Jessica Donnelly (54 kills, 76 digs). Junior Brooke Lavell has been exceptional with 177 digs and 177 assists, serving as both primary defender and setter.

Abundant Life (13.78, 153rd overall) maintains their perfect 4-0 record despite limited games, showing efficiency and execution in their opportunities.

Regional Powerhouses and Individual Impact

North Jersey Excellence

Demarest sits fifth overall (30.88 rating) despite a 5-1 record, proving strength of schedule matters significantly. Senior Deana Finkelstein leads with 40 kills while junior Kara Kim has been solid defensively with 66 digs and junior Maya Snir contributing 91 assists.

Secaucus (29.18, ranked 6th) features one of the state’s most potent offenses with senior Olivia Jasiczek recording 77 kills and Sofia Guzman adding 71 kills and 78 digs. Junior Sarah Veloz orchestrates with 156 assists, helping the Patriots compile 512 total points while maintaining an 8-2 record.

Old Tappan (25.44, 16th overall) showcases senior Julia Whaley with 69 kills and 46 digs, while junior Joley Giordano has been outstanding with 121 assists. The Golden Knights’ 5-2 record includes quality victories that have boosted their computer ranking.

Immaculate Heart (25.98, 15th overall) features junior Adrielle Crump with 64 kills, Lily Romas expert libero skills, and Kristen Lee contributing 124 assists. Their 4-2 record reflects the competitive nature of their schedule, with strong individual performances keeping them in the top tier.

Central Jersey’s Competitive Cluster

Gov. Livingston (24.36, ranked 19th) showcases senior Abby Kim with 117 kills and 48 digs, one of the most prolific offensive seasons in the state. Junior Sierra Isbirian has been exceptional with 176 assists and 13 aces, serving as a versatile dual-threat player.

Millburn features balanced scoring with senior Lily Philipov (48 kills, 45 digs) and junior Avika Vijayraghaven (57 kills) leading the charge, while senior Franna Hawksworth has been exceptional as a setter with 155 assists.

J.P. Stevens (19.16, 69th overall) has been competitive behind senior Tina Sehrawat’s 143 assists and junior Aimee Han (86 digs, 22 aces). Freshman Koey Zheng has made an immediate impact with 104 digs.

Monroe (22.33, 41st overall) coahed by Victoria Stec, features senior Adhya Mukunda with 96 assists and Dhara Patel contributing 44 digs, while senior Suhani Patel leads the offense with 36 kills and 8 blocks.

South Jersey’s Balanced Attack

Southern (24.24, 22nd overall) boasts senior Heather Henderson with 81 kills and 51 digs, while junior Kayden Bulger has been outstanding with 90 kills and 78 digs. Junior Gianna Manochio anchors the defense with 132 digs, helping the Rams maintain their strong ranking with a 8-2 record.

Cherry Hill East (22.42, 40th overall) features senior Angela Choe with 68 digs and 22 aces and a threesome of attackers including junior Jordan Walker, senior Isabel Bologno, and senior Nicole Shoyele with 44, 42, and 49 kills respectively through there first 8 matches. Their 7-1 record reflects consistent performance across their roster with Leela Mon leading the team with 23 aces.

Mother Seton (24.14, ranked 23rd) boasts freshman Faith Forenza with 76 kills and 26 aces, while senior Madison Porter sets the table with 202 assists. Senior Isabella Matias has been reliable with 152 digs and 25 aces.

Donovan Catholic (22.43, ranked 39th) features senior Amelia Kaleda with 78 kills and freshman Maddy Ayres contributing 94 assists, 20 aces, and 17 kills. Sophomore Brooke George adds 103 assists in the 6-2 format. Middle Emaleigh Alborn has 71 kills and a whopping 18 blocks.

Mid-Tier Teams Making Their Mark

The 50-100 Range: Building Momentum

Brick Township (13.91, 147th overall) has turned their season around with a 6-1 record behind senior Michayla Mess (36 kills, 17 blocks) and junior Zuzanna Kirkicka (60 kills). Senior Riley O’Brien has been outstanding with 143 assists, showing how individual excellence can elevate team performance.

Shore (13.88, 149th overall) maintains a 6-3 record with junior Charlotte Haynes leading the way with 79 kills. Their balanced approach has them improved and positioned well in the middle pack.

Second year program Ocean City (16.24, 116th overall) has been impressive with a 8-1 record, featuring junior Brynn Williams (57 kills, 64 digs) and Gabrielle Erace (83 digs). Freshman Rylee Boyd has made an immediate impact with 37 aces, 28 kills, and 33 digs on a team that has already accumulated 142 aces on the service line through 9 matches.

Roselle Park (16.21, 117th overall) 7-1 record behind senior Christina Barnat (89 digs, 106 service points) and Leah Scott (112 assists). Senior Madison Wilkes contributes 34 kills and 7 blocks to provide offensive balance.

The Grind-It-Out Squads: 100-200 Range

Science Park (12.27, 181st overall) has achieved an impressive 8-1 record with senior Nicole Nwaejiaku recording 64 kills and Gianna Jacho contributing 123 assists. Senior Ema Rdriguez has 41 kills and a team leading 19 aces.

Another second year program Sayreville (11.63, 189th overall) sports a solid 7-3 record with junior Skye Hunter (24 kills), sophomore Scarlett Stiso (26 kills, 14 aces) and junior Hillary Flores (24 aces) providing firepower. Their young core and massive roster suggests continued improvement.

Middletown North (11.53, 190th overall) maintains a 6-4 record behind junior Carly Christiani (63 kills, 33 digs) and junior Bella Irizzary who has posted 124 assists, 29 aces, and 3 blocks.

Carteret (10.43, 205th overall) has been exceptional with a 10-1 record, featuring senior Mia Lancho Calderon (50 kills, 29 aces) and soph Izabel Jiminez (47 kills). This third year program is lead by coach Carly Kjergaard.

Building Programs: 200+ Range

LEAP Academy (10.33, 208th overall) playing with one of the shortest rosters in the state, maintains an impressive 6-1 record with senior Oluomachi Francis leading the way with 28 kills and 39 digs. Their success story shows how consistent play can build program momentum.

Florence (9.77, 216th overall) has compiled a strong 4-1 record, demonstrating that wins matter regardless of statistical rankings. Their improvement trajectory suggests continued growth. Stacy Dean’s squad continues to show promise.

Salem Tech (9.18, 223rd overall) sits at 3-1 with senior Cori Farnkopf (17 kills) and Tiara Bazemore (69 assists) leading the way. Their strong record percentage in limited action shows promise.

Newark Central (10.32, 209th overall) maintains a strong record at 6-1, as the Blue Devils look to have another standout year in the SEC under Kia-Jhna Jones.

Holy Angels and the Competitive Middle Tier

Holy Angels (14.23, 141st overall) represents the challenging middle ground with a 2-5 record despite quality individual performances. Junior Robyn Milsap has been outstanding with 59 assists, while senior Ella Deramo contributes 27 kills and sophomore Lauren Henneberry has posted 21. Their struggles highlight how competitive New Jersey volleyball has become, where talented teams still face difficult records due to schedule strength.

Schedule Strength: The Great Equalizer

The computer rankings factor in strength of schedule, revealing which teams have faced the toughest competition. Ridgewood leads with the most challenging schedule (rating of 28), followed by North Hunterdon, Lenape, Morristown, and Roxbury (all at 27).

Ridgewood (18.62, 78th overall) exemplifies this challenge with a 1-6 record despite strong individual play from junior Saige Rogers and Mia Luther. Their schedule strength explains why they maintain a respectable ranking despite the record.

North Hunterdon (23.49, 30th overall) shows how facing tough competition can benefit rankings, with their 4-5 record featuring standout performances from sophomore Kat Wolf and Audrey Minsavage.

Rising Stars and Breakthrough Seasons

Several underclassmen are making immediate impacts across all levels:

Elite Freshmen:

• Jackson Township freshman Evelina Chimidova has exploded for 76 kills
• East Brunswick freshman Smitha Srinivasan contributes 57 kills
• J.P. Stevens freshman Koey Zheng has 104 digs
• Bergen Tech freshman Keeley Purisima has 53 kills and117 digs

Standout Sophomores:

• Sparta sophomore Hannah Dodson leads her team with 159 digs
• Lyndhurst sophomore Olivia DeRuvo has 37 kills and 12 blocks for the Bears
• Atlantic Tech sophomore Jaydn Clinksdale has 40 kills and 12 blocks in 16 sets

Impact Juniors:

• Verona junior Brynn Mack with 92 kills
• Mount Olive junior Izabella Osoria with 103 kills

Teams on the Rise: First Wins and Building Momentum

Several programs have captured their first victories of the season, representing important building blocks for their futures:

St. Mary Ruth (15.91, 123rd overall) has achieved an impressive 8-0 record with senior Phoenix Lopez (33 kills, 68 digs) and Makayla George (33 kills, 28 digs) leading the charge. Senior Athena Goletsos contributes 81 digs to anchor the defense.

Lyndhurst is 6-4 despite just 3 upperclassman on the roster. Steve Valhalla’s Bears will be a team to watch next season.

Ridge (16.55, 111th overall) has achieved a perfect 6-0 record with junior Amiya Harish contributing 30 kills and 39 digs and junior middle Maxine Caputo logging 31 kills and 10 aces.

Madison (19.27, 68th overall) sits at 6-0 behind senior Sophia Christoffers (91 kills, 82 digs) and Eva Errichetti (153 assists, 12 aces). Their perfect start shows the power of Steve Fenton’s program building as Madison, under his leadership, hasn’t had a losing record in the last decade plus.

Ramsey (21.92, 47th overall) maintains a 7-0 record with senior Lucy Sobel (119 digs) and junior Haley Spierenburg (50 kills) leading the way.

Looking Ahead: Championship Contenders and Dark Horses

The combination of undefeated records, perfect set marks, and elite individual performances suggests several tiers of championship contenders:

Elite Tier:

• Paul VI, Princeton, and Williamstown lead with perfect records and dominant individual stars
• Old Bridge has the perfect set record and balanced scoring to challenge anyone
• Demarest and Secaucus have proven they can compete against top-tier competition

Contender Tier:

• Pinelands and Bogota possess the offensive firepower to challenge elite teams
• Westfield and Gov. Livingston have individual stars capable of carrying teams
• Southern and Cherry Hill East represent strong South Jersey programs with playoff experience

Dark Horse Tier:

• Holmdel with their perfect set record could surprise
• Livingston, Old Tappan and Immaculate Heart have the pedigree and will be around come playoff time
• Tenafly and Ramapo certainly have the talent to rise up by end of year

The Depth Story: From Top to Bottom

What makes this season remarkable is the individual excellence displayed across all competitive levels. Whether it’s Emma Fowler’s 128 kills for 13th-ranked Bogota or Nicole Nwaejiaku’s 60 kills for 181st-ranked Science Park, elite individual performances are elevating programs throughout New Jersey.

The computer rankings reveal a complex picture where team success depends on multiple factors – individual excellence, schedule strength, team chemistry, and competitive execution. Programs like Carteret (9-1 record at 205th overall) show that wins matter, while teams like Ridgewood (1-6 but 78th overall) demonstrate how facing quality competition can maintain ranking respect.

Building for the Future

Several programs are clearly in building phases, developing young talent that will impact future seasons:

Freshman Impact Programs:

• Jackson Township with Evelina Chimidova
• East Brunswick featuring Smitha Srinivasan
• J.P. Stevens showcasing defense with Koey Zheng

Sophomore Development:

• Atlantic Tech with 6′ 1″ BYU commit Jaydn Clinkscale
• Lyndhurst building around Madison Herman
• Sparta developing Avery Munier & Brooke Meara

Junior Leaders:

• Verona with Brynn Mack’s offensive dominance
• Mount Olive featuring Izabella Osoria
• Pinelands developing Cali Peterka

The Season Ahead

As teams enter deeper conference play, these early statistical leaders will face their greatest tests. The programs combining team success with individual excellence, like Princeton’s Naomi Lygas leading a perfect team, or Pinelands’ balanced attack maintaining an undefeated record, appear best positioned for sustained success.

The middle tier programs showing strong individual performances despite challenging records, like Holy Angels’ Robyn Milsap or Ridgewood’s talented players facing tough schedules, represent the competitive depth that makes New Jersey volleyball special.

Programs capturing first wins or building momentum, from Newark Central’s perfect 6-0 start to Science Park’s impressive 7-1 record, show that success can be found at every level when individual talent meets team execution.

A Historic Season in the Making

With 17 undefeated teams, five perfect set records, and individual performance highlights, New Jersey high school volleyball has opened with remarkable strength and depth. The statistical stories emerging from gyms statewide, whether it’s Paul VI’s championship-level talent, Ocean City’s breakthrough season, or Arts’ young players gaining experience, suggest fans throughout the Garden State are witnessing one of the most competitive and talent-rich seasons in New Jersey volleyball history.

The depth revealed in these rankings, from elite programs with multiple statistical leaders to developing teams with individual bright spots, promises one of the most competitive and entertaining seasons in New Jersey volleyball history, where individual brilliance and team chemistry are combining at every level to create an unforgettable campaign.