9/30/25
Week 5 of the NJ high school volleyball season is off with a bang!The algorithm has been working overtime these past few days creating the following (note LINKS)…
NJP Computer Ranking # 2 LINK
NJP Statistical Standings by Conference and Division LINK
Sectional and Group Rankings LINK
The first NJP Player Rater of 2025 LINK
NJP has also added a new page to the website today that is on the main navigation menu on the homepage. The new page provides an interactive MAP presentation of all NJ high schools that offer girl’s volleyball. It can easily be used to help navigate to away games and includes detailed address information for each listing. The visual is pretty cool as you can see high school rivalries by proximity. Check it out at this LINK
ACCOLADES:
Congrats to junior setter Mia Panico for achieving 500 career assists for Washington Township.
Senior Emily Deussing of Notre Dame has now reached 1,000 career digs for the Irish.
Ella McDermott of Park Ridge now has 1,000 career assists for the Owls.
Congrats to PCTI outside Gia Stipo for smashing her 400th career kill.
Pinelands is having a great season and we congratulate senior Heidi Cyphert on her 300th career kill.
ALWAYS happy to promote events like this with such a fabulous cause. Hats off to the leaders who organize these events. Email us at njpowerranking@gmail.com.
Some Monday recaps:
Princeton continued its flawless season with a straight-set sweep over Notre Dame, moving to 13-0. The Tigers were sharp on both sides of the ball, led by Naomi Lygas, who powered the offense with 10 kills, 6 digs, and 4 aces. Setter Kaelin Bobetich was excellent in distributing the attack, finishing with 18 assists to go along with 5 kills and 4 digs. Charlotte Woods was another key contributor, adding 9 kills, 5 digs, and a block, while defensive specialist Camila Barbosa anchored the back row with 8 digs and an ace. With strong serving and balanced attacking, Princeton rolled to 25-12 and 25-17 wins, never allowing Notre Dame to gain momentum. For Notre Dame, now 7-3, it was a tough matchup against one of the hottest teams in New Jersey. Maya Foley and Tatum Justus each tallied 5 kills to pace the Irish offense, while Morgana Trombino chipped in 7 assists and 3 digs. Libero Emily Deussing was steady in the back row with 13 digs, helping to extend rallies against the relentless Princeton attack. Despite the loss, Notre Dame showed stretches of strong play and will look to build on the experience as they continue their push through the season.
Bridgewater-Raritan put together a complete performance in a straight-set sweep over Colonia, improving to 11-3 on the season. The Panthers were fueled by Ava Marvuglio, who led all players with 14 kills and 17 digs to deliver a strong two-way performance. Setter Ella Sorenson was outstanding in running the offense, recording 30 assists along with 4 digs, while middle hitter Molly Magner added 12 kills and 2 blocks to provide a big presence at the net. Jahniah Bishop also had an efficient match with 11 kills, while libero Camille Hilton anchored the back row with 22 digs. With 10 aces spread across the lineup, Bridgewater-Raritan controlled the match from start to finish. Colonia, now 7-7, put together a gritty effort and had several players shine despite the tough loss. Veronica Stepien paced the Patriots with 12 kills and 10 digs, while setter Arabella Palmeri kept the offense moving with 27 assists and 11 digs. Nashaelah Hooker added 8 kills and a block, and defensive specialist Gia Nigro was excellent in the back row with 19 digs. Though Colonia fell in straight sets, they showed promise as they continue through the season.
In a competitive match, Verona (13-1) defeated Montclair (3-7) with a score of 2 sets to 1, securing the victory with set scores of 25-18, 21-25, and 25-12. Verona was led by Brynn Mack who excelled with a team-high 14 kills and 15 digs, while Samantha Heimall expertly ran the offense with 28 assists and 3 aces. Mary Jane Finn provided strong play at the net with 4 kills and 2 blocks. The team also saw strong defensive contributions from Jessica Theobald with 10 digs and Abigail Romanyshyn with 17 digs, showcasing their collective effort in the three-set victory.
Mount St. Dominic earned a strong straight-set victory over Montclair Kimberley, improving to 6-4 on the year. The Lions were powered by Alexci Green, who led the way with 6 kills, while Skylar Dang kept the offense organized with 10 assists and added 5 digs. Kaylan Bartolozzi was a force at the net with 6 blocks and 3 kills, while libero Luchia Nativo anchored the defense with 19 digs. With steady defensive play and efficient attacking, Mount St. Dominic controlled the tempo in both sets to secure the sweep. Montclair Kimberley, now 9-6, showed fight throughout the match, highlighted by a standout effort from Layla Lynch, who notched a match-high 13 kills and added 6 digs and 4 aces. Setter Mahala Weintraub was active in all phases with 16 assists and 13 digs, and Ava Wheeler chipped in 5 kills and 3 blocks to spark the Cougars at the net. Defensive specialist Corrine Kittles kept rallies alive with an impressive 28 digs, showcasing her relentless effort in the back row. Despite the loss, Montclair Kimberley pushed hard in both sets and proved they can compete with strong conference opponents.
Ocean City (11-1) captured a hard-fought 25-18, 27-25 victory over Timber Creek (7-3) in cross-conference action, with Bradee Boyd delivering an exceptional performance featuring 11 kills and 8 digs to lead the Red Raiders past their South Jersey opponents. The second set proved particularly dramatic, as both teams battled through extended rallies before Ocean City closed out the marathon frame to secure the sweep. Rylee Boyd kept Ocean City in system with 9 assists while Gabrielle Erace anchored the defense with 5 digs. The serving battle remained relatively even with Ocean City recording 10 aces compared to Timber Creek’s 3, though Bradee Boyd’s 3 aces from the line created crucial momentum shifts. Brooke Sutor and Brynn Williams each contributed 5 kills to support the balanced offensive attack. Phoenix Johnson fought valiantly for Timber Creek with 5 kills while Elise Reed distributed with 7 assists, but the Chargers managed only 15 kills against Ocean City’s disciplined defense. Nevaeh Butler provided 2 blocks at the net, yet Timber Creek couldn’t quite match Ocean City’s execution in the critical moments of both sets. The victory keeps Ocean City rolling with an 11-1 record while Timber Creek absorbs their third loss despite showing competitive spirit throughout this quality non-conference matchup.
Immaculate Heart (5-2) defeated Fair Lawn (7-5) in straight sets with scores of 25-22 and 25-16. The team’s offense was powered by Adrielle Crump who led with 7 kills and was supported by Lily Hryniw‘s 3 kills and Sophia Mahon‘s 6 kills and 3 blocks. Kristen Lee was the primary facilitator, tallying 15 assists. Fair Lawn’s effort was led by Isabella Castillo with a match-high 8 kills and Jeanelle Jardiolin with 9 assists, but they could not overcome the Blue Eagle’s consistent play.
Old Tappan earned a statement win with a straight-set sweep over previously unbeaten Ramapo, improving to 7-2 on the season. The Golden Knights leaned on the stellar play of Julia Whaley, who powered the attack with 12 kills, 9 digs, and 2 aces. Her sister, Nadine Whaley, anchored the defense at the net with 4 blocks, while Bianca Benasillo added 7 kills to provide balance in the front row. Setter Joley Giordano was sharp in distributing the offense, tallying 17 assists, 5 digs, and 2 aces, while libero Adriana Bryan held the back row steady with 11 digs. With contributions across the board, Old Tappan closed out two tight sets, 25-23 and 25-21, against one of the state’s top squads. Ramapo, now 8-1, showed why they are among the elite despite the setback. Sara Wingfield paced the Raiders with 10 kills, while Ellie Sanborn delivered 6 kills, 11 digs, and 2 aces in a strong all-around effort. Setter Ella Petrevski dished out 18 assists and chipped in 5 digs, while Cassie Bergstein added 2 kills and 2 blocks at the net. Defensive specialist Rebecca Salmins also shined with 10 digs, keeping rallies alive throughout. Though the Raiders dropped their first match of the season, the effort against a talented Old Tappan squad highlighted their depth and competitiveness moving forward.
Cherokee (9-3) secured a hard-fought three-set victory over Moorestown (11-2) with set scores of 25-18, 21-25, and 25-12. Kim Moncrief anchored the Cherokee attack with 8 kills and 1.5 blocks, while Addie Lore was the key playmaker, tallying 12 assists and 5 kills. The offense also saw strong contributions from Ava Doherty with 7 kills and Abigail Gardner with 5 kills and 11 digs. Cherokee’s defense was stout, benefiting from 29 digs from Kendall Oblinger and 10 digs from Cassie Markel, limiting Moorestown’s attack. For Moorestown, the effort was paced by Renee Takla who led the team with 6 kills, 1 block, and 3 digs, and Lindsay Bonavita who contributed 12 assists in the competitive loss. Mya Roberts also added 2 kills and 11 digs for the Patriots, but the team struggled to maintain momentum in the decisive third set.
Some Tuesday recaps:
Moorestown (11-2) handed Cherry Hill East (8-2) their second loss of the season with a 25-22, 25-22 sweep in cross-conference Olympic action, with both sets featuring the kind of back-and-forth intensity that defines elite South Jersey volleyball. The Quakers executed better in crunch time, closing out both tight frames to secure the straight-set victory.The narrow margins in both sets reflected the quality of competition, as neither team could establish sustained momentum against the other’s defense. Moorestown made crucial plays when needed most, converting key opportunities late in both frames to preserve their leads. Both programs demonstrated championship-caliber play throughout, suggesting this early-season clash could be a preview of a potential postseason rematch when the stakes are even higher.
Bogota pulled off an impressive comeback to defeat Rutherford in three sets, improving to 12-1 on the season. After dropping the first set 25-14, the Buccaneers regrouped behind the dominant play of Emma Fowler, who led all players with 14 kills and added 6 digs to spark the turnaround. Setter Nikole Alvarez was outstanding, dishing out 32 assists and adding 4 digs to keep the offense flowing. Angelina Grod stepped up with 10 kills, while Talia Luciano added 4 kills and 2 blocks to steady the net presence. Strong defensive efforts from Lucy Villamar and Melannie Solis, who combined for 18 digs, helped Bogota lock down the final two sets, 25-16 and 25-14. Rutherford, now 11-2, came out strong in the opening set and looked poised for another signature win. Mackenzie Vellis paced the Bulldogs with 13 kills, 17 digs, and 2 aces in an all-around performance, while setter Cate Finan tallied 20 assists and 5 digs to keep the offense engaged. Mia George chipped in 3 kills and 12 digs, and libero Tessa Davidson anchored the back row with 11 digs. Despite dropping the final two sets, Rutherford showed the grit and energy that has fueled their strong start to the season, and their balanced lineup will continue to make them a top contender.
Hackettstown (10-3) defeated division rival Madison (8-2) in a three-set match with set scores of 25-21, 24-26, and 25-20, securing a crucial NJAC – Freedom division win. The Tigers’ victory was highlighted by Ava Fiedler, who led the team with 11 kills, 8 digs, and 4 aces. Anna Willis also had a strong match for Hackettstown with 6 kills and a team-high 3 blocks, while Abbie Schlesinger efficiently directed the offense with 20 assists and 8 digs. Madison’s effort was paced by an outstanding performance from Sophia Christoffers who tallied a match-high 17 kills, 11 digs, and 3 aces. Setter Eva Errichetti contributed 22 assists and 8 digs for the Dodgers, but they could not maintain the lead after winning the second set. The loss drops Madison to 4-1 in the division, now tied with Hackettstown for the lead.
Verona (13-1) swept Millburn (7-3) in straight sets, winning both frames 25-17, to improve their SEC – American division record to 5-1. Brynn Mack led the dominant Verona attack with a match-high 13 kills, and she contributed significantly on defense with 6 digs and 6 service points. Setter Samantha Heimall expertly ran the offense, recording 18 assists while also supporting the defense with 7 digs and adding an ace. The Verona defense was anchored by Abigail Romanyshyn with a team-high 17 digs, complemented by Julie Maglifiore‘s 6 digs and 6 service points. Millburn‘s efforts were led by Sydney Grani with 6 kills and Franna Hawksworth who tallied 12 assists, but they were ultimately overcome by Verona‘s collective efficiency and power.
St. Mary (Ruth.) (11-0) maintained their perfect season and their lead in the NJIC – Patriot division by defeating Harrison (8-5) in straight sets with scores of 25-18 and a tight 26-24 finish. The offense was guided by setter Athena Goletsos, who recorded 7 assists, 6 digs, and an ace. The attack was distributed, with Makayla George leading the team with 4 kills and contributing 9 digs and 4 aces, while Phoenix Lopez added 2 kills, 8 digs, and 6 service points. St. Mary (Ruth.)‘s defense was anchored by Maleah Ocasio‘s 16 digs, who also contributed 3 service points and an ace, complementing Olivia Murray‘s 2 kills and 1 block. Harrison (8-5) was competitive in the second set, pushing the undefeated team to extra points.
Old Bridge kept its undefeated season alive with a decisive sweep over Colonia, improving to 12-0. The Knights were fueled by Ashley Markle, who led the way with 9 kills and added 3 digs to keep the offense steady. Weronika Malinowski was a force at the net with 8 kills and 3 blocks, giving Old Bridge a dominant presence in the middle. Setter Maya Lupinski controlled the pace of play, dishing out 16 assists while adding 4 digs, and Dylanie Canzano sparked the back row with 6 digs and a timely ace. With contributions from across the lineup, Old Bridge rolled to back-to-back 25-15 set wins to stay unbeaten. Colonia, now 7-7, faced a tough challenge against one of the state’s hottest teams. The Patriots worked to keep rallies alive behind scrappy defensive play and steady effort across the court, but ultimately the firepower of Old Bridge proved too much. Though the match ended in straight sets, Colonia’s continued fight and energy will be important as they look to rebound and push forward in the heart of their schedule.
Brienne Steinwald put on a clinic for Mount St. Mary (7-2) with 17 kills in a 26-24, 25-22 victory over North Hunterdon (6-7) that tightened the Skyland Delaware Division race and moved the Lions to 5-2 in conference play. Sophia Padin facilitated the offensive explosion with 25 assists, creating opportunities for Steinwald and others as Mount St. Mary accumulated 27 kills overall. North Hunterdon kept both sets competitive behind Laine Molchan’s 9 kills and Eva Liu’s 12 assists, but couldn’t quite match Mount St. Mary’s firepower in the closing moments. Kiersten Boyer provided 9 digs while Keegan Hissner added 9 more as the Lions fought hard before falling to 4-3 in divisional standings. The serving numbers favored North Hunterdon slightly with 1 ace compared to Mount St. Mary’s 6, but Mount St. Mary executed better in transition and capitalized on their offensive opportunities. Elizabeth Mooney contributed 4 kills and Julia Stempien added 2 kills and 5 aces as the visitors controlled the key moments. This divisional victory keeps Mount St. Mary in strong position for postseason seeding while North Hunterdon continues fighting through an inconsistent season, now sitting below .500 overall despite remaining a top ranked team in NJP’s top 20.
Westwood (11-1) defeated Emerson Boro (6-6) with a 25-12, 25-14 sweep in cross-conference action. Alex Pazian led Westwood with 9 kills while Julia Niewiarowski distributed 15 assists and added 1 block, as Westwood accumulated 21 kills compared to Emerson Boro’s 9 kills. Maria Papathanasopoulos contributed 3 kills for Westwood, while Emerson Boro received 3 kills from Ariella Ceylan and 4 assists from Emma O. Gabby Micucci added 4 digs for Emerson Boro in the straight-set loss. The serving numbers were a major factor, with Westwood recording 14 aces compared to Emerson Boro’s 4 aces. Pazian contributed 5 aces for the winners.
Northern Highlands showed its depth and resilience in a four-set victory over Ramsey, improving to 11-1 on the season. The Highlanders were led by Lexi Thompson, who turned in a commanding all-around performance with 11 kills and 3 blocks to go along with steady defensive play. Setter Allie Reilly was exceptional in running the offense, dishing out 20 assists and adding 12 digs with 4 aces to keep the team in rhythm. Lily Piccinich anchored the defense with 21 digs and contributed 8 kills, while Georgia Cacciabaudo provided balance at the net with 6 kills and a team-high 6 aces. Strong serving also played a major role, as Northern Highlands racked up 21 aces overall to keep Ramsey on its heels. Ramsey, now 8-2, fought hard and grabbed the opening set 25-23 before the Highlanders rallied. The Rams displayed grit throughout, pushing Northern Highlands into extra points in the third set and battling to 25-20 in the fourth.
Rutgers Prep kept its strong season rolling with a straight-set win over Gill St. Bernard’s, improving to 9-2. The Argonauts were led by Anushka Gubbala, who delivered a team-high 6 kills along with 4 digs and 4 aces to pace the attack. Setter Rebecca Panacek guided the offense with 13 assists and added 2 digs and 2 aces, while Laela Domanski anchored the defense with 12 digs to keep rallies alive. Aubrey Franz chipped in 5 kills, and Logan Squeri made her presence felt at the net with 2 kills and 2 blocks. With steady serving that produced 8 total aces, Rutgers Prep pulled away late in both sets for a 25-19, 25-21 victory. Gill St. Bernard’s, now 9-3, battled hard but couldn’t overcome the balanced effort of Rutgers Prep. While the Knights pushed both sets to competitive scores, the Argonauts’ strong serving and defensive coverage proved the difference.
Hawthorne (5-7) edged out Saddle Brook (6-8) in a competitive three-set match, winning 25-22, 16-25, and 25-23. The victory was fueled by Anyiah White who led the Hawthorne attack and defense with 9 kills and a match-high 4 blocks. Setter Simone Green orchestrated the offense, recording 7 assists and contributing 8 digs and 3 aces. The attack was distributed, with Brianna Simmons and Emma Ryglewicz each adding 2 kills, and Addison Menne finishing with 2 kills and 3 aces. For Saddle Brook, Maren Kupris led the offense with 7 kills, while setter Sofia Flores recorded 9 assists. Their defense was anchored by Isabella Figueroa‘s match-high 17 digs, as the team fought hard but ultimately fell just short in the close final set.
Lots of competitive matches on the table for the Wednesday night schedule tomorrow including Jefferson at Sparta, West Essex visiting Millburn, Hanover Park at Randolph, North Hunterdon at West Morris, Union City @ Memorial in a monster HCIAL matchup, and Pinelands putting their 14-0 record on the line against perennial power Southern in Manahawkin.
Good night…