10/21/2025
Key Changes for 2025–26
- All matches will now be best-of-five (previously some early rounds were best-of-three).
- Power points return to the “best 16 games” format with only the 16 highest power-pointed games will count toward tournament qualification and seeding. Last year, averages were used instead.
- Out-of-state or non-member opponents’ actual records will now be used in power-point calculations as of the cutoff date.
- No averaging of all games. Teams benefit from strong performances in their top 16 matches.
- All non-public south teams and public central/south teams are designated the home teams for this year’s state finals at Franklin High School.
Important Tournament Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| First Practice | August 18, 2025 |
| First Competition | August 25, 2025 |
| Entry Form Opens | October 1, 2025 |
| Entry Form Closes | October 15, 2025 |
| Conflict of Interest Form Due | October 15, 2025 |
| Power Point Cutoff | October 25, 2025 |
| Power Points Close (Noon) | October 26, 2025 |
| Tournament Seeding | October 28, 2025 |
| Regular Season Ends | November 23, 2025 |
Public Tournament Schedule
| Round | Groups | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Groups 2 & 4 | Nov. 3, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Round 1 | Groups 1 & 3 | Nov. 4, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Round 2 | Groups 2 & 4 | Nov. 5, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Round 2 | Groups 1 & 3 | Nov. 6, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Round 3 | Groups 2 & 4 | Nov. 7, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Round 3 | Groups 1 & 3 | Nov. 8, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Sectional Finals | All Groups | Nov. 11, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| State Semifinals | All Groups | Nov. 13, 2025 | Host: Highest Power Point |
| State Finals (Groups 2 & 4) | Nov. 15, 2025 | Franklin High School | |
| State Finals (Groups 1 & 3) | Nov. 16, 2025 | Franklin High School |
Teams may move games earlier (as soon as Oct. 30) if both schools agree. Otherwise, listed dates must be followed.
Non-Public Tournament Schedule
| Round | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 (Non-Public A) | Nov. 5, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Round 1 (Non-Public B) | Nov. 6, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Round 2 (Non-Public A) | Nov. 7, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Round 2 (Non-Public B) | Nov. 8, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Round 3 (A & B) | Nov. 11, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| Sectional Finals | Nov. 13, 2025 | Higher Seed |
| State Finals – Non-Public A | Nov. 15, 2025 (Franklin) | |
| State Finals – Non-Public B | Nov. 16, 2025 (Franklin) |
State Finals Match Times (Franklin High School)
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025
- 11:00 AM – Non-Public A
- 1:00 PM – Group 2
- 3:00 PM – Group 4
Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025
- 11:00 AM – Group 3
- 1:00 PM – Non-Public B
- 3:00 PM – Group 1
All state semifinal matches are scheduled for 4:30 PM unless both schools agree otherwise.
Tournament Operations and Seeding
- The top 16 teams in each section and group qualify based on power points.
- Minimum number of matches played to qualify: 16 by the cutoff date.
- Tie-breaking procedure (in order): head-to-head results, quality points, residual points, opponents’ winning percentage, common opponent record, overall record, coin toss.
- Seed jumping applies when a lower-ranked team defeated the team immediately above it.
Rules and Officials
- All rounds are best 3 of 5 sets, rally scoring.
- Home (higher-seeded) teams host through sectional finals.
- The Wilson NOVA volleyball is the official ball for the tournament; NJSIAA provides balls for the finals.
- Officials assigned by NJSIAA:
- Rounds 1–3: two referees
- Sectional Finals & Public Semifinals: two referees + two line judges
- State Finals: two referees, two line judges, one libero tracker
- All finals are NJSIAA-paid; earlier rounds are paid by host schools.
Awards
- Sectional Champions: Trophy + 25 certificates
- State Champions: Trophy + 25 certificates
Summary Emphasis
The biggest adjustments for 2025–26 include the return to best-of-five play for every round, revised power-point formula emphasizing top 16 results, and record-based evaluation for out-of-state opponents.
The tournament schedule now provides consistent structure across both public and non-public groups, with finals again hosted at Franklin High School across November 15–16. Early-round flexibility allows matches as soon as October 30, ensuring timely progression before Thanksgiving.