Week 7 of the NJ high school girl’s volleyball season is already mid-week. Let’s jump in to some recaps…

The Mendham Minutemaids (11-5, 6-3 NJAC – National) secured a convincing 2-0 divisional sweep over the Parsippany Hills Vikings (13-4, 6-2 NJAC – National) on Wednesday afternoon. This decisive victory tightens the race in the NJAC – National Division and gives Mendham a huge boost in their conference standing. The offense was evenly distributed but led by Caroline Brubaker, who notched 9 kills, with Jane Klosowsky adding 7 kills to the winning effort. Running the smooth Minutemaid attack was setter Emma Hutchison, who tallied 11 assists and provided a strong all-around game with 11 digs. Mendham’s serving was exceptional and proved to be the difference-maker, led by Alena Pfersch who dominated with 5 aces and added 13 digs. Fleur Gaspers also contributed 2 aces and 8 digs, showcasing the team’s relentless pressure from the service line. We congratulate Alena Pfersch and Emma Hutchison on their great performances, and we know they’ll continue to excel as the Minutemaid surge in the division.

Bridgewater-Raritan battled through a competitive four-set match to defeat Piscataway 25-14, 18-25, 25-21, 25-14, improving to 17-3 on the season. The Panthers were led by Ava Marvuglio, who delivered a standout performance with 15 kills, 20 digs, and an ace, setting the tone for the team’s attack. Jahniah Bishop was dominant at the net with 14 kills and 3 blocks, while setter Ella Sorenson orchestrated the offense with 30 assists and 7 digs. Camille Hilton anchored the defense with 25 digs and added 4 service aces, and Katelyn Phan contributed 6 kills, 13 digs, and 4 aces to give the Panthers momentum in key stretches. Bridgewater’s poise and balanced offense allowed them to pull away in the final set to secure the win. Piscataway, now 8-11, put up a strong fight led by an outstanding showing from Milani Washington, who recorded a match-high 17 kills along with 9 digs and 3 aces. Setter Brielle Miller tallied 15 assists and 8 digs, while Olivia Disarro played a crucial role defensively with 26 digs and 3 aces. Despite a strong second-set push, Piscataway struggled to sustain their rhythm against Bridgewater’s aggressive serving and organized backcourt play. The victory keeps Bridgewater-Raritan rolling as one of Central Jersey’s most complete and resilient teams heading into the late season.

The West Morris Wolfpack (13-4, 7-1 NJAC – American) swiftly defeated their divisional foe, the Morristown Colonials (5-12, 2-6 NJAC – American), in a clean 2-0 sweep. The Wolfpack’s victory was anchored by a dominant all-around performance from setter Juliana Stingle, who masterfully guided the offense with 25 assists and chipped in 22 digs. The hitting was distributed well among the powerful pins, with Kristina Vlezko leading the way with 8 kills, and Elizabeth Murphy, Kayla Vecchione, and Lauren Miller each contributing 5 kills. The team’s defense was exceptional, tallying 43 digs in just two sets, showing their commitment to keeping the ball off the floor. We congratulate Juliana Stingle on her outstanding control of the offense, and we are excited to see West Morris continue to excel in the NJAC-American division!

Old Bridge continued its incredible season with another signature victory, sweeping Westfield 25-20, 25-22 to move to 19-1. The Knights displayed poise and balance throughout, led by Ashley Markle, who delivered 9 kills and 4 digs while providing key points in both sets. Setter Maya Lupinski was exceptional in orchestrating the offense, finishing with 24 assists, 5 digs, and 3 blocks. Weronika Malinowski added 7 kills and 11 digs, while libero Jannah Khalil anchored the defense with 15 digs and 3 aces. Tatum Jones and Dylanie Canzano contributed valuable service runs and strong backcourt play to help Old Bridge pull away late in each set. It was another statement win for the Knights, who continue to show why they are among the state’s elite. Westfield, now 16-4, battled hard behind Ava Gaspard, who tallied 7 kills and 9 digs, and setter Emelia Dengler, who recorded 9 assists. Vicki Morey chipped in 4 kills and an ace, and Lillian Wood made her presence felt with 3 blocks. Despite keeping both sets tight, the Blue Devils struggled to overcome Old Bridge’s serving pressure and depth. The Knights’ late-set composure and steady defense proved decisive as they notched another ranked win, continuing their push toward postseason dominance.

The Hackettstown Tigers (16-4, 6-1 NJAC – Freedom) secured a decisive 2-0 sweep against their divisional rivals, the Jefferson Falcons (11-10, 3-3 NJAC – Freedom), in a key conference matchup. The Tigers’ victory was anchored by a strong offensive showing, which took both sets with scores of 25-18 and 25-22. Hackettstown’s attack was expertly led by Ava Fiedler, who crushed 11 kills, and Anna Willis, who added 7 kills and 4 digs to the winning effort. The offense was efficiently orchestrated by setter Abbie Schlesinger, who delivered an excellent performance with 20 assists and contributed 2 digs. The Tigers’ serving game proved potent, with Evangelina French and Ava Fiedler each recording 3 aces to keep Jefferson out of rhythm. This win significantly boosts Hackettstown’s standing, pushing them to 16 wins and maintaining their top position in the NJAC – Freedom division.

The Kent Place Dragons (11-6, 6-5 UCC – Watchung) showed their strength by defeating the Hun Raiders (8-3) in a tough three-set non-conference match, winning 2-1. After dropping a competitive second set 22-25, Kent Place rallied to take the pivotal final set 25-16. The Dragons’ offensive engine was driven by Pranavi Raina, who crushed 12 kills and also contributed 7 digs. Setter Savera Rigby was key to the victory, efficiently running the offense with 19 assists and adding 7 digs on defense. The Dragons displayed strong serving pressure, led by Savera Rigby and Quinn Sartorius, who each tallied 4 aces, helping the team accumulate an impressive 12 total aces. Lyla Sartorius contributed 7 kills and 6 digs to the well-rounded attack. This victory pushes Kent Place to 11 wins on the season, showcasing their ability to win high-pressure matches against quality opponents.

Cresskill rallied for a hard-fought three-set victory over Emerson Boro, winning 15-25, 25-15, 27-25 in a dramatic NJIC battle. After dropping the opening set, the Cougars responded with resilience, tightening their defense and finding rhythm behind standout setter Alicia Sathananthan, who distributed 26 assists and kept the offense balanced. Rieslyn Hong led the attack with 10 kills and added 3 digs, while Riley Zitomer provided a spark from the service line with 6 aces and 7 kills. Layla Berkowitz was key at the net, recording 4 blocks and 2 aces to swing the momentum late in the match. Sophia Coleman contributed 5 kills and steady passing, and the team’s composure in extended rallies sealed the decisive third set 27-25. The win pushes Cresskill to 10-7 and 7-3 in the NJIC Meadowlands Division, showcasing the team’s poise and ability to respond under pressure.

Northern Highlands rolled to an impressive 2-0 victory over McNair on Wednesday afternoon, posting 25-15 and 25-20 wins to improve to 15-3 overall. The Highlanders controlled the match from start to finish with balanced offensive production and stellar defensive play that kept the Mavericks off balance throughout. Lexi Thompson led Northern Highlands with 9 kills and a block, while Georgia Cacciabaudo added 5 kills and 7 digs to give the Highlanders multiple attacking threats. Setter Allie Reilly orchestrated the offense beautifully with 15 assists while contributing 8 digs and 2 aces. Alija Schulmann was solid defensively with 7 digs and an ace, while Grace Elder added 4 digs and an ace. Lily Piccinich provided additional support with 2 kills and a dig, and Lexi Stout chipped in 4 kills. Hannah Brown contributed 3 kills as Northern Highlands showcased the depth that has fueled their strong 15-3 season. McNair (14-3, 9-2 HCIAL American) battled hard behind Jakiya Carter, who posted 8 kills and 2 blocks in a solid effort. Setter Nadia Hernandez distributed 13 assists while adding 7 digs and an ace, and Iris Verdibello contributed a kill, 6 digs, and an ace for the Mavericks. Angela Rodriguez-Lopez added a kill and 2 aces, and Laura Bowen chipped in with a kill and 2 aces, but McNair couldn’t find enough offensive rhythm against the stout Northern Highlands defense to seriously threaten the talented Highlanders.

Harrison (15-5) rallied to a hard-fought 2-1 win over St. Dominic (8-8) in the Hudson County Tournament second round on October 15, with set scores of 25-21, 23-25, and 25-22. Ranya Ayatallah led the Blue Tide with 9 kills and 3 aces, earning nods for her explosive all-around play. Genesis Samayoa directed traffic brilliantly, tallying 14 assists and 2 aces to keep the offense flowing. Julia Brandao Soares chipped in 7 kills and 8 digs, showing versatility on both sides of the ball. Madison Morales anchored the net with a block and added 6 aces, sparking key runs. The Blue Tide’s balanced attack and timely serving turned the tide in a thrilling comeback!

Kingsway (13-3, 5-1 Tri-County – Royal) cruised to a decisive 2-0 victory over Clearview (5-11, 0-7 Tri-County – Royal) on October 15, 2025, with set scores of 25-14 and 25-20. Sofia Oravetz stole the show, hammering 10 kills and adding a block to lead the Dragons’ attack with flair. Sophie Park orchestrated the offense with 21 assists, keeping the ball flying to her hitters with pinpoint accuracy. Ava Patterson contributed 9 kills, powering the front line with relentless energy. Bryn Jespersen scooped up 8 digs, showcasing her defensive hustle. With serves popping and spirits high, Kingsway danced their way to another divisional win.

The Mount Olive Marauders (14-5, 6-2 NJAC – American) secured a key divisional sweep, defeating the Roxbury Gaels (7-9, 3-5 NJAC – American) in straight sets. The Marauders’ offense was dominated by the incredible performance of Izabella Osoria, who crushed 15 kills in the two-set match! Guiding the attack was setter Kaitlyn Tungmun, who was excellent, recording 24 assists and contributing 3 digs. Mount Olive took the first set 25-17 and closed out the second set 25-21, showcasing their consistency. The team also benefited from strong defense, with Genessa Baltazar tallying 15 digs and adding an ace. Outside hitter Olivia Drucks contributed 5 digs and an ace to the effort.

Governor Livingston continued their late-season surge with a straight-set win over New Providence, taking the match 25-19, 25-20 behind a dominant offensive showing from Abby Kim, who registered 16 kills and 7 digs while adding 3 aces. Setter Sierra Isbirian efficiently guided the Highlanders’ attack with 21 assists and 2 aces, spreading the ball well across the front line. Olivia Ho made her presence felt at the net with 3 blocks and 4 kills, while Sarah Alves and Liv Steinmetz provided defensive support in serve-receive and coverage. Claire Sanchez chipped in 3 digs as Gov. Livingston used steady passing and aggressive serving to control both sets. For New Providence, Ellie Liu paced the offense with 11 kills and 5 digs, and Allison Maisch filled the stat sheet with 13 assists, 2 blocks, and an ace. Despite their strong effort, the Pioneers couldn’t keep pace with the Highlanders’ balanced attack and consistent serve pressure.

Union Catholic (14-6) soared to a swift 2-0 sweep over Watchung Hills (5-12) on October 15, 2025, with set scores of 25-13 and 25-21, keeping their UCC Watchung campaign strong. Alyssa Kenol was a force, leading with 6 kills and 2 blocks, dominating both offensively and defensively at the net. Alex Landazabal quarterbacked the Vikings’ attack with 7 assists and added 4 aces, serving up a storm that kept Watchung Hills on their toes. Ayla Burke chipped in with 4 kills and a block, while Sabrina Capati contributed 4 assists to keep the offense humming. Mia Taylor added 2 aces, bringing extra spark to the service line. With this win, Union Catholic keeps their momentum rolling, ready to conquer their next challenge!

The Hoboken Redwings (8-9, 5-6 HCIAL – American) soared past the Kearny Kardinals (7-11, 3-8 HCIAL – American) with a swift 2-0 sweep in the Second Round of the Hudson County Tournament. The Redwings were led by setter Patricia Brown, who organized the offense beautifully, tallying 12 assists and adding 8 digs. The attack was distributed effectively, with Charlotte Dobson contributing 7 kills and Maggie McCarthy chipping in 5 kills. Hoboken’s defense was strong, with Leah Zegarra leading the team with 9 digs and serving up 3 aces, while Jayla Johnson was close behind with 8 digs and an ace. Gabriella Garcia provided a presence at the net with 1 block. Despite the efforts of Kearny‘s Daniela Mantilla (3 kills, 4 assists, 4 digs), Hoboken‘s balanced attack and strong defense secured the victory. The Redwings advance in the County Tournament!

Mary Help of Christians (11-5) battled to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Lakeland (5-10) on October 15, 2025, with set scores of 25-10, 22-25, and 25-21, showcasing their grit in a back-and-forth match. Melissa Zdanowicz was the star tonight, smashing 13 kills and serving up 4 aces, earning a shoutout for her electrifying performance. Emma Gross kept the Blue Jays’ offense soaring with 9 assists, while Micaela Matos added 11 kills and 5 aces, lighting up the scoreboard with her serving swagger. Madelyn Buranicz stood tall with 2 blocks, holding the line at the net. Sydney Khin contributed 8 digs and 7 service points, diving like a superhero to keep rallies alive. This win proves Mary Help of Christians is ready to keep spiking their way to glory!

Madison continued its impressive run in the NJAC Freedom Division with a straight-set victory over Vernon, winning 25-18, 25-23 behind a strong offensive performance from Riley Faraher, who hammered down 16 kills to lead all players. Setter Eva Errichetti orchestrated the attack with 15 assists, while Charlotte Forrester contributed on both sides of the ball with 3 kills, 5 digs, and a block. Eden O’Connor added 6 kills and 9 digs to keep rallies alive for Madison, and Nena Tully sparked the back row with 8 digs and 3 aces as the Dodgers maintained control despite a late push from Vernon in the second set. For Vernon, Ella Platt led the way with 7 kills and 4 digs, while Emma Casper dished out 8 assists and served one ace. Skyler Werner gave the Vikings some momentum from the service line with 4 aces, but it wasn’t enough to slow down Madison’s balanced attack and defensive coverage.

The Triton Mustangs (6-13, 5-3 Tri-County – Liberty) galloped to a clean 2-0 divisional sweep, defeating the Salem Tech Rams (5-7, 2-4 Tri-County – Liberty) in straight sets. The Mustangs’ offense was fueled by a fantastic performance from Abigail Dalbey, who was a dual threat with 4 kills and 7 aces. Setter Vanessa Pagan was instrumental in running a cohesive attack, finishing with 8 assists and 3 digs. The attack was well-rounded, with Zoey Lacovara leading the team with 6 kills and adding 2 digs and a block to the winning effort. Triton’s service game was the clear difference-maker, as they totaled an impressive 12 aces as a team, with Abigail Dalbey leading the charge. This solid victory helps Triton climb the divisional ladder, showcasing their ability to execute consistently.

Sparta (12-6, 6-2 NJAC – American) powered through to a commanding 2-0 victory over Montville (0-17, 0-8 NJAC – American) on Wednesday, with set scores of 25-17 and 25-9. Arielle Gomez led the Spartans’ charge with 7 kills, swinging with precision to dominate the net. Hannah Dodson was the engine of the offense, racking up an impressive 20 assists to fuel her team’s attack with flair. Brooke Meara added a block and Avery Munier chipped in 6 kills, keeping the pressure on. Alexia Hill brought the heat with 5 aces, earning special accolades for her serving wizardry that had Montville scrambling. With this win, Sparta keeps their divisional hopes high, ready to serve up more fun in their next match!