9/25/2025
October 11 Tri-Match Features Three Unbeaten Powers in Season-Defining Event
OLD BRIDGE – New Jersey volleyball will witness its most significant regular season event in recent memory when fourth-ranked Old Bridge hosts third-ranked Princeton and second-ranked Williamstown on October 11 in what promises to be a season-defining tri-match that will reshape the state’s championship landscape.
The “Showdown at the Bridge” brings together three undefeated powerhouses sporting a combined 27-0 record, with some degree of mathematical certainty that at least two of these elite programs will see their perfect seasons come to an end. Considering the power f each program, there is a chance that each team could walk away 1-1. More importantly, whichever team emerges victorious from this gauntlet will stake an undeniable claim alongside top-ranked Paul VI as New Jersey’s premier volleyball program.
Three Unbeaten Giants Collide
Old Bridge (8-0) enters as the host venue with perhaps the most balanced statistical profile among the three contenders. The Knights have dominated opponents with a 16-0 set record while maintaining an exceptional 10.9 average point differential per set. Their 400 total points scored against just 226 allowed demonstrates the kind of overwhelming dominance that has characterized elite New Jersey programs throughout history. And if anyone has ever experienced what Old Bridge is like for a big match, they know that it can be an intimidating environment to say the least.
Princeton (10-0) brings the most extensive unbeaten streak of 25 games (last loss vs Notre Dame in 2024, their only loss of 2024) into the tri-match, having navigated through 18 sets without dropping a single frame while posting an impressive 13.1 average point differential. The Tigers have been particularly dominant offensively, accumulating 450 total points in their perfect campaign while limiting opponents to just 214 points across 18 contests.
Williamstown (8-0) counters with the most extensive overall body of work, having played 26 sets while maintaining an 18-2 set record and 9.2 average point differential. The Braves’ 496 total points represent the highest offensive output among the three programs, though they’ve also faced the most competitive opposition as evidenced by allowing 312 points. They bring a 20 game win streak to the table that extends back to October of 2024 when they dropped a decision at Princeton for their only loss of 2024.
Statistical Battlegrounds
The individual player matchups reveal fascinating contrasts that could determine the tri-match outcome. Princeton’s Naomi Lygas (Tulane D1 Beach commit) leads all players with 106 kills across 18 sets, while Old Bridge counters with Ashley Markle’s 61 kills in 14 sets and Williamstown features Addilyn Belcher and Peyton Wright with 60 and 64 kills respectively across 19 and 20 sets.
The setter battle presents intriguing dynamics, with Princeton’s Kaelin Bobetich (USF D1 Beach Commit) distributing 165 assists across 20 sets while Old Bridge’s Maya Lupinski has recorded 162 assists in 16 sets. Williamstown utilizes a more distributed approach with Khloe Lynch contributing 170 assists across 20 sets, suggesting different offensive philosophies among the three programs.
Defensively, Williamstown’s Lora Kunicki leads with 99 digs across 20 sets, while Old Bridge’s Jannah Khalil has accumulated 70 digs in 16 sets. Princeton relies on Charlotte Woods with 72 digs across 20 sets, indicating each program’s unique approach to back-row coverage.
The serving statistics reveal Williamstown’s aggressive approach with 80 total aces, compared to Princeton’s 90 aces and Old Bridge’s efficient serving that has contributed to their perfect set record. Bobetich’s 31 aces for Princeton and Kunicki’s 15 aces for Williamstown could prove decisive in crucial moments.
Championship Pedigree and Coaching Excellence
The tri-match features three programs led by coaches with proven championship credentials. Princeton’s Patty Manhart has guided the Tigers to back-to-back NJSIAA Group 3 state titles in 2023 and 2024, including a dominant 25-8, 25-11 victory over Ramapo in the 2024 final that capped a remarkable 28-1 season. Manhart, who helped launch the program as a club before leading it to official varsity status in 2013, has transformed Princeton into a Group 3 powerhouse.
Williamstown’s Chris Sheppard brings unmatched experience and success, having served as the program’s only head coach since 1998 and recently celebrating his 600th career victory. Sheppard has led the Braves to six NJSIAA state titles (2006, 2010, 2012, 2019, 2021, 2024) and captured the 2021 Tournament of Champions during an undefeated 35-0 campaign, establishing Williamstown as one of New Jersey’s most successful programs.
Old Bridge’s Andrew Hopman has built championship culture on both sides, leading the girls program to Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament titles in 2013, 2014, 2022, and 2023 while simultaneously guiding the boys program to multiple state championships including the 2025 Group 4 title. His dual-program success demonstrates the kind of comprehensive volleyball excellence that could prove decisive in a demanding tri-match format.
Championship Implications
Beyond the obvious impact on perfect records, this tri-match carries profound championship implications. The winner will not only join Paul VI in the conversation for New Jersey’s top program but will also establish crucial psychological momentum heading into the postseason tournament with the confidence that comes from defeating elite competition.
Historic Precedent
Rarely has New Jersey volleyball witnessed three unbeaten programs of this caliber meeting in a single venue. The last comparable event occurred over a decade ago, and that occasion similarly served as a watershed moment that defined the state’s championship landscape for years to come.
The tri-match format adds another layer of complexity, as each team must prepare for two distinctly different opponents while managing the physical and emotional demands of multiple matches in a single day. This format historically favors programs with exceptional depth and tactical flexibility, characteristics all three contenders have demonstrated throughout their perfect campaigns.
What’s at Stake
For Old Bridge, hosting duties provide home court advantage but also additional pressure to perform in front of their community. The Knights have shown remarkable consistency through eight matches, never allowing opponents to score more than moderate point totals while maintaining offensive efficiency.
Princeton arrives with the longest active winning streak and the most dominant per-set statistics. Their ability to limit opponent scoring while maintaining perfect set execution suggests a program operating at peak efficiency, but the tri-match format will test their depth and adaptability like nothing they’ve faced this season.
Williamstown brings the most extensive game experience and proven ability to succeed in high-pressure situations. Their higher point totals on both sides of the ball indicate a program comfortable with extended rallies and capable of elevating their game when circumstances demand excellence.
The Verdict Approaches
October 11 will provide definitive answers to questions that have lingered throughout New Jersey’s volleyball season. Which unbeaten program possesses the depth to succeed in a tri-match format? Can any team establish themselves as a legitimate challenger to Paul VI’s supremacy? Will home court advantage prove decisive for Old Bridge, or will Princeton’s perfect execution or Williamstown’s offensive firepower carry the day?
What remains certain is that New Jersey volleyball fans will witness history on October 11. The “Showdown at the Bridge” promises to deliver the kind of elite competition that defines championship seasons and creates lasting legacies. Two perfect records will fall, but one program will emerge with an undeniable claim to elite status and championship credibility.
The stage is set. The stakes couldn’t be higher. October 11 will identify the best of three of NJ’s elite programs!