10/14/2025
The New Jersey high school girls volleyball season has reached its crescendo, with division championships hanging in the balance, county tournaments just getting underway, and state playoff dreams still burning bright for teams across the Garden State. This is the time of year when every point matters, every match feels monumental, and the energy in gyms throughout New Jersey reaches a fever pitch. Players have worked since August for this moment, and now everything they’ve built together is on the line.
But amid the intensity and competitive fire, it’s easy to lose sight of what makes this time so special, particularly for our seniors. In the coming weeks, state playoff seeds will be determined, brackets will be set, and the path forward will become clear. Yet as the excitement continues to build, we must remember a sobering reality: many players will see their seasons, and for seniors, their high school careers, end in an instant. One final point, one last match, and suddenly it’s over.
This is why these next few weeks are about so much more than wins and losses. It’s a time to soak in every moment with the friends who have become family, to celebrate the journey that brought you here, and to create memories that will outlast any trophy. Take the pictures, share the laughs, embrace your teammates after every match, and hold onto the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself. Long after the final whistle blows, these are the moments you’ll carry with you forever.
Let’s focus on some accolodes and achievements from these past few days…
Many more faces added to the NJP Faces of NJ Volleyball page tonight… I think there is like a Bajillion up there so far this season. It might even be as much as a Kajillion plus one. It’s a lot anyway. You there yet?
Let’s see what the Tuesday night scoreboard looks like…
The Cherry Hill East Cougars (14-2) secured a monumental 2-1 victory over the Bishop Eustace Crusaders (14-4) in a thrilling, high-stakes match that directly impacts on playoff seeding. The Cougars took the first set 25-18, dropped the second 23-25, but rallied decisively in the third set, winning 25-22 to grab the match. The Cougars showed great balance, with Nicole Shoyele contributing 4 kills and 1 block, and Isabel Bologno adding 4 kills. The defense was critical for Cherry Hill East, as Ariana Fils-Aime led the way with 6 digs, while Maeve Slattery anchored the net with 2 blocks. For Bishop Eustace, the phenomenal offensive performance by Hailey Mack, who smashed 16 kills, was nearly enough for the win, as was the 22 assists from Paige Ladik. We congratulate Hailey Mack on a fine performance, and we know she’ll continue to be a top player for the Crusaders. The hard-fought win for Cherry Hill East proves they are ready to contend at the highest level, especially after the big win against Kingsway last night!
Morris County fans were treated to two 5 set thrillers this evening in the MCT semi-finals. The top-seeded Randolph Rams (14-1, 7-1 NJAC – National) survived an absolutely sit on the edge of your seat dogfight against the tenacious West Morris Wolfpack (12-4, 6-1 NJAC – American) to secure their spot in the Morris County Tournament final. The Rams displayed incredible mental fortitude, twice coming back after falling behind in sets, winning 25-22, 18-25, 25-12, 23-25, and clinching the final set with a dramatic 16-14 score. West Morris was relentless, pushing the highly-ranked Randolph team to the brink with strong performances throughout their lineup. The Morris Hills Knights (15-3) pulled off a dramatic upset in their Morris County Tournament semifinal, defeating the heavily favored Madison Dodgers (14-3) in an intense five-set battle at Randolph High School. The Knights, who trailed 2-1 in sets, showed incredible resolve, fighting back to win the last two sets 20-25 and 15-13, proving that sometimes grit trumps the stat sheet. Madison delivered an absolutely brilliant individual performances with Sophia Christoffers, who crushed a staggering 32 kills, marking one of the finest single-match hitting displays of the season. We look forward to watching the Morris Hills team competing for the county title against the Rams on Saturday at FDU-Madison!
When two SEC teams are separated by just one game in the standings, you know you’re in for a barnburner, and Livingston and Millburn didn’t disappoint on Tuesday. The Lancers outlasted the Millers 2-1 in a seesaw battle that saw Livingston drop the first set 23-25 before roaring back with 25-17 and 25-20 victories to improve to 13-4 overall and 6-3 in SEC American play. Camilla Dong was absolutely spectacular for Livingston, pounding home 15 kills while adding 4 digs and 3 aces in a performance that had Millburn scrambling all night. Setter Arya Shukla was equally impressive, distributing 25 assists while contributing 2 digs and 4 aces to orchestrate the Lancers’ comeback. Valeria Tolstenkov provided a presence at the net with 3 kills, 2 blocks, and 3 aces, while Cadence Sturt added 8 kills, a block, and an ace to give Livingston multiple offensive weapons. Millburn (14-4, 7-3 SEC American) received a gutsy effort from Lily Philipov, who led the Millers with 7 kills, 19 digs, and 3 aces in a warrior-like performance. Sydney Grani contributed 6 kills and 25 digs for an impressive double-double, while Avika Vijayraghaven made her mark with 4 kills and 3 blocks at the net. Seryn Lee added 4 kills, 2 digs, and an ace, and Franna Hawksworth anchored the back line with 7 digs and 2 aces, but it wasn’t quite enough to hold off the surging Lancers in a match that could easily be replayed in the postseason.
Verona continued its strong season with a hard-fought three-set win over Montclair Kimberley, taking the match 23-25, 25-17, 25-19 to improve to 17-2. After dropping a tight opening set, the Hillbillies regrouped behind another standout performance from Brynn Mack, who led all players with 13 kills and 15 digs while serving up an ace. Samantha Heimall was outstanding at setter, dishing out 29 assists and contributing 6 digs and an ace to spark the offense. Jessica Theobald added 6 kills, 8 digs, and 2 aces, while Vianna Arrington-Phillips anchored the defense with 16 digs and 4 aces in a strong all-around showing. Verona’s composure and depth proved decisive as they surged late in both the second and third sets to seal the win. Montclair Kimberley, now 14-9, pushed Verona throughout the match and showed impressive resilience behind Layla Lynch, who tallied 7 kills and 8 aces, and setter Mahala Weintraub, who posted 15 assists and 13 digs. Layla Brown also turned in a strong performance with 5 kills and 16 digs, while Ava Wheeler made her presence felt at the net with 4 blocks. Despite a strong defensive effort, the Cougars couldn’t contain Verona’s balance and serving power down the stretch. The Hillbillies’ victory further cements their status as one of Essex County’s top programs, showcasing their ability to adapt and close out tight matches against quality competition.
The East Orange Jaguars (8-5, 6-3 SEC – Liberty) clawed their way back for a significant 2-1 divisional victory over the West Orange Mountaineers (9-8, 6-3 SEC – Liberty) in a tight three-set match. After dropping a competitive first set 19-25, East Orange rallied with back-to-back wins, taking the second set 25-16 and clinching the decisive third set 25-23. The victory moves East Orange into a tie for second place in the SEC – Liberty division alongside West Orange. This was a true test of resolve for the Jaguars, who showed grit in their ability to bounce back and finish strong in the crucial final set. We congratulate East Orange on securing a massive divisional victory and anticipate more excitement from the SEC-Liberty division race! Aren’t these rivalry matches fun!
The Newark Central Blue Devils (13-2, 8-2 SEC – Freedom) put on a strong display to sweep the Newark Tech Terriers (12-6, 7-3 SEC – Freedom) in a crucial divisional matchup. The Blue Devils were dominant, taking both sets with a commanding 25-18 final score. This victory marks a significant achievement for Newark Central, as they improved their overall record to 13-2 and solidified their standing atop the SEC – Freedom Division. The loss for Newark Tech snaps their momentum and drops them to 7-3 in divisional play. The consistent 25-18 scores reflect a disciplined and cohesive effort from Newark Central across the board.
The Immaculate Heart Eagles (14-3, 5-0 Big North – United) showcased their elite talent by battling back from a set down to defeat the tough River Dell Golden Hawks (13-3, 6-1 Big North – Patriot) in a thrilling 2-1 non-conference match. After River Dell snatched a close 26-24 first set victory, the Eagles roared back, winning the final two sets 25-13 and 25-19. The offensive firepower was concentrated in sophomore Adrielle Crump, who celebrated a fantastic performance by crushing an amazing 20 kills in the three sets, proving once again that she is one of the state’s most lethal attackers. Setter Kristen Lee deftly guided the offense with 34 assists and also contributed 21 digs, narrowly missing the 40-assist mark. On the other side of the net, River Dell was led by Marissa Petrocelli’s solid 14 kills, and setter Kai Grebla was outstanding, delivering 28 assists and adding 4 aces to keep the Golden Hawks competitive throughout the tough match. IHA’s front court was bolstered by Anabelle Albano, who was a defensive presence with 3 blocks and 13 kills, while Sophia Mahon added 10 kills and 3 blocks. This highly competitive victory marks the second time this week Immaculate Heart has battled back from a set deficit to win, solidifying their status as true competitors.
Atlantic Tech continued its impressive run in the CAL American with a gritty straight-set win over Cedar Creek, 25-23, 25-23, improving to 12-4 on the season. The Red Hawks leaned on standout hitter Jadyn Clinkscale, who delivered a dominant performance with 12 kills, 6 digs, 2 blocks, and 2 aces. Setter Tyler Myronowsky ran a crisp offense, notching 17 assists while adding 3 digs of her own, and Aubrie Strickland chipped in 4 kills and 5 digs in a balanced team effort. Brianna Growalt contributed 3 kills and a block to help secure key points at the net. Atlantic Tech’s ability to execute in pressure moments — including clutch serves and clean transitions late in each set — made the difference in this evenly matched contest. Cedar Creek, now 12-7, battled hard in both sets and showcased several strong performances despite coming up just short. Emma Hendrickson led the Pirates with 7 kills and 5 aces, consistently applying pressure from the service line, while Stella Ketschek added 6 kills and 5 digs. Setter Heidi Williams recorded 7 assists and 2 digs, and Kylee Thomas contributed both a block and an ace. Though Cedar Creek pushed Atlantic Tech to the brink in both frames, the Red Hawks’ composure and efficient setting sealed the victory. Both teams remain tightly positioned in the CAL standings as postseason play draws near.
The Pascack Hills Cowboys (12-4, 4-3 Big North – Patriot) pulled off an impressive non-divisional upset, sweeping the highly-ranked NV-Demarest Norsemen (9-2, 6-1 Big North – National) in straight sets. The Cowboys were dominant, particularly in the second set, winning with scores of 25-21 and 25-16. This victory marks a significant statement for the Pascack Hills program, handing Demarest only their second loss of the season. The Cowboys’ strong performance against such a tough opponent suggests excellent all-around execution, minimizing errors and maintaining serving pressure throughout the match.
Southern delivered one of its most complete performances of the season, sweeping Jackson Township 25-22, 25-12 to earn a statement win and improve to 13-6 overall. The Rams came out sharp on both ends of the court, led by Grace Thurber, who tallied a team-high 10 kills while hitting efficiently in key moments. Heather Henderson was a force at the net with 6 kills and 5 blocks, controlling the middle and limiting Jackson’s offensive flow. Setter Lauren Ambar ran the attack smoothly with 14 assists, 6 digs, and an ace, while Kayden Bulger added 4 kills, 9 digs, and 3 aces in another strong all-around effort. Defensively, Gianna Manochio contributed 10 service points and 6 digs, helping Southern dominate both the serve and receive game to seal the straight-set victory. Jackson Township, now 15-3, fought hard in the opening set before Southern’s relentless pressure took over. Evelina Chimidova led the Jaguars with 6 kills, while Rafaella Mesquita tallied 19 assists to guide the offense. Yasmin Palma and Taylor Di Meola provided defensive spark with 11 and 3 digs respectively, while Gabriella Mesquita added 2 aces. Despite the loss, Jackson showed flashes of the play that has made them one of the Shore’s top teams, but Southern’s balance, blocking, and service control proved too much to overcome in this cross-divisional matchup.
Hillsborough earned a big divisional win Tuesday night, sweeping Mount St. Mary 25-23, 25-22 to improve to 12-6 on the season. The Raiders showed poise and control in both tight sets, led by Abigail Fenton, who delivered a stellar all-around effort with 13 kills, 12 digs, and an ace. Setter Cynthia Lei ran a well-balanced offense, finishing with 16 assists, 8 digs, and 3 aces, while Grace Fitzpatrick added 2 kills, 9 digs, and 2 aces to help Hillsborough maintain momentum. Sophia Baraniecki was strong at the net with 2 blocks and 2 kills, and the Raiders’ backcourt play, anchored by Ashley Fenton and Darshini Wadan, kept rallies alive at key moments. Hillsborough’s serve pressure and defensive consistency proved the difference as they closed out both sets in clutch fashion. Mount St. Mary, now 11-4, got a huge effort from Brienne Steinwald, who led all players with 17 kills and 8 digs in an outstanding offensive display. Sophia Padin set up the attack effectively with 17 assists and 8 digs, while Aiden Steinwald added 12 digs on defense. Despite their powerful hitting, the Lions could not overcome Hillsborough’s scrappy defense and well-timed service runs. The win marks another step forward for Hillsborough, which continues to show balance, depth, and confidence as the postseason approaches.
Tenafly put together a dominant performance on the road, sweeping Bergen Tech 25-16, 25-16 to move to 10-4 on the season. The Tigers were led by Lexi McGinty, who powered the offense with 10 kills and 8 digs in a strong two-way effort. Setter Mia Bareket guided the attack with 14 assists and steady ball distribution, while Sivan Aburus chipped in 6 kills and 7 digs to keep Tenafly’s offense balanced. Mia Chen and Ryan Liles added a combined 5 kills and 4 blocks, helping the Tigers control the net. Tenafly’s aggressive serving and consistent defense limited Bergen Tech’s scoring chances and set the tone from start to finish. Bergen Tech, now 9-8, showed effort throughout but could not find an answer for Tenafly’s rhythm and precision. The Knights battled in long rallies and showed flashes of defensive grit, but unforced errors and Tenafly’s net presence proved too much to overcome. The victory gives Tenafly another quality win in Big North crossover play as they continue to build momentum heading into the season’s final stretch.