10/4/25

Do algorithms get tired? If there was ever a time for that concept to be considered, it would be now. The season is in its full blown splendor, 5 full weeks of matches and information are part of the data set now. We continue to get snippets of information that bring further clarity to rankings and ratings. Which team will still be there come state and sectional finals? Maybe this next ranking will provide some insight.

Not sure if anyone has noticed but IHA is now 9-2. The Lee to Crump connection was on fire today as the Blue Eagles smacked down a solid Pascack Valley team. Lee with 40 assists and Crump with 28 kills. You will see IHA creeping back toward the NJP top 5. Six game win streak for this young squad.

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Saturday recaps…

Paul VI (14-0) remained undefeated by sweeping Notre Dame (8-4) in straight sets with scores of 25-21, 25-14, and 25-10. The dominant Paul VI offense was led by Megan Evans, who recorded a match-high 15 kills and 7 digs, while Maggie Carcillo was the primary facilitator, tallying 19 assists, 7 digs, and 3 aces. The attack was distributed, with Maggie Carcillo adding 5 kills and Amelia Reagan chipping in 4 kills. Defensively, Brynn Casmay anchored the back row with 8 digs and Khloe Greene-Gordon added 2 blocks. For Notre Dame, Maya Foley led the team with 6 kills and 2 blocks, while Mia Ligammari directed the offense with 9 assists.

McNair (12-2) swept Passaic Charter (8-6) in straight sets, winning 25-18 and 25-15, showcasing a strong team performance. The victory was led by Jakiya Carter, who recorded a match-high 7 kills and contributed 6 digs and 5 aces. Setter Nadia Hernandez successfully ran the offense, tallying 13 assists, while adding 2 kills and 3 digs. At the net, Aizah Khalid was a major force with 4 blocks and 1 kill. The team’s aggressive serving was instrumental, delivering 9 total aces, which contributed to stifling the Passaic Charter offense throughout the two sets.

Williamstown (15-0) maintained their perfect record by sweeping Bishop Eustace (10-2) in straight sets, winning convincingly with scores of 25-16 and 25-12. The dominant Williamstown offense was led by Stella Eberly, who tallied a match-high 9 kills, with Peyton Wright and Addilyn Belcher each adding 8 kills. Setter Khloe Lynch masterfully ran the attack, recording a match-high 20 assists and contributing 4 digs and an ace. The team’s aggressive serving resulted in 9 total aces, including 4 from Khloe Lynch and 2 from Lora Kunicki.

Millburn (11-3) defeated Hunterdon Central (10-5) in straight sets at the Governor Livingston tournament, winning 25-20 and an exceptionally close 32-30 second set. The Millburn offense was led by Seryn Lee with a match-high 7 kills, who also contributed 4 digs and an ace. Setter Franna Hawksworth was crucial to the victory, tallying 21 assists, 12 digs, and 7 service points. The team’s net defense was a major factor, with Avika Vijayraghaven recording 6 kills and a match-high 3 blocks. Defensively, Lily Philipov anchored the back row with 17 digs, and Meera Pandit added 10 digs in the close contest. Millburn also swept Governor Livingston and Morristown in a perfect Saturday performance.

Old Tappan dominated from start to finish, sweeping Dwight-Englewood 3-0 (25-9, 25-9, 25-17) to improve to 9-2 on the season. Setter Joley Giordano ran a smooth, balanced offense with 23 assists, feeding Bianca Benasillo (10 kills), Julia Whaley (8), and Nadine Whaley (5) for steady production at the net. Defensive anchors Adriana Bryan and Desi Malafis combined for 20 digs as the Knights controlled serve-receive and limited Dwight-Englewood’s scoring chances. The Bulldogs, now 10-2, struggled to establish rhythm against Old Tappan’s relentless pace and precision. With the win, the Golden Knights extend their Big North National surge and reaffirm their standing among North Jersey’s top programs.

Tenafly (7-4) swept Saddle River Day (6-4) in a dominant performance, winning both sets with scores of 25-16 and 25-15. The Tenafly offense was spearheaded by Lexi McGinty, who recorded a match-high 13 kills and 8 digs. The attack was efficiently run by setter Mia Bareket, who finished with 18 assists and 8 service points. Sivan Aburus provided significant offensive support with 7 kills and 7 digs. The team’s strong defense included Noga Ishai contributing 9 digs and Mia Chen adding 11 digs, securing the victory for Tenafly.