10/22/25
When two of New Jersey’s volleyball giants collide, the gym feels different. Every serve, every rally, every timeout carries the weight of pride and proof. On Wednesday night in Princeton, the stands were packed, the energy was electric, and the state’s top-ranked Paul VI Eagles were tested like few times before. Across the net stood Princeton, ranked No. 8 in the state, a confident 18-5 squad and defending NJP State Champs led by one of the most dominant outside hitters in New Jersey.
By the end of the night, Paul VI remained unbeaten at 21-0, but Princeton made them earn every point. The Eagles prevailed 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 25-12) in a match that reminded everyone why championship volleyball is as much about heart as it is about stats.
Evans Unstoppable
Every elite team has a player who refuses to let the moment slip away. For Paul VI, that player is Megan Evans. The UConn Huskies commit was extraordinary once again, recording 36 kills and 10 digs in one of the best single-match performances of the 2025 season. Her swings came from everywhere… crosscourt lasers, high-hand deflections, and fearless line shots that seemed to find open space no matter how tight Princeton’s defense adjusted.
Each time Princeton surged, Evans answered, shifting momentum at a time when the match could have gone either way. Evans’ night was a master class in consistency and composure. She now sits with 234 kills on the season, and is approaching 600 in her illustrious career, leading a team that continues to redefine excellence in the Olympic Conference.
Princeton’s Power and Grit
Led by junior standout Naomi Lygas, the Tigers punched back with everything they had. Lygas unleashed 20 kills, many of them thunderous finishes that exhilarated the home crowd and forced Paul VI to rethink its blocking scheme.
Setter Kaelin Bobetich spread the offense intelligently, totaling 31 assists, and libero Camila Barbosa anchored the back row with 15 digs. The Tigers’ second-set win, 25-23, was a display of resilience, only the second set Paul VI has dropped to a NJ team this season.
Princeton’s defense held up impressively through the first three frames, forcing long rallies and converting transition points. Middle blocker Lucy Wang added two crucial blocks, and Charlotte Woods chipped in with 12 kills and 11 digs, providing balance from the right side.
It wasn’t until the fourth set, when Paul VI’s relentless tempo took full control, that the gap widened.
Rossi Conducts the Offense
Behind every dominant attack is a setter who knows exactly where to go and when. For Paul VI, that rhythm comes from Lyla Rossi, the cerebral junior who orchestrated the offense with pinpoint accuracy. Rossi registered an astonishing 56 assists over 4 sets, demonstrating complete command of the floor and a chemistry with her hitters that has become nearly impossible to disrupt.
Rossi’s ability to run quick tempos through the middle kept Princeton’s blockers guessing. Even when the Tigers keyed on Evans, Rossi found Amelia Reagan, who finished with 15 kills, and Kam Wertz, who contributed five. Her connection with libero Avery Margre and defensive specialist Maddy Harada also allowed Paul VI to transition cleanly from defense to offense. Margre’s 18 digs were essential in keeping Lygas’ heavy swings off the floor.
Defensive Discipline and Team Unity
Paul VI’s defense, often overshadowed by its high-octane offense, was quietly brilliant. Wertz and Adeniran combined for six blocks, sealing off Princeton’s strongest angles. The Eagles’ serve-receive remained steady, even under pressure, allowing Rossi to maintain tempo throughout.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this Paul VI team is its selflessness. Every player embraces her role. The bench erupts for every point. The veterans mentor the younger athletes. The chemistry is genuine, and it shows in their perfect record.
Princeton Leaves with Pride
Despite the loss, Princeton proved that its ranking is no accident. The Tigers displayed elite-level skill and heart, and the battle with Paul VI only strengthens their postseason credentials.
Princeton now turns its attention to the upcoming state sectional bracket, where the experience of facing Paul VI could pay major dividends.
Perfection Continues
For Paul VI, the victory extends a perfect season that now stands at 21-0 overall and 9-0 in the Olympic Patriot Division. With the state tournament approaching, the Eagles have made it clear that their goals extend far beyond rankings. Few teams in New Jersey have combined firepower and focus the way this one has. Evans’ 36-kill masterpiece, Rossi’s 56 assists, and the team’s collective poise reinforced why Paul VI remains the gold standard.
On a night that had the intensity of a state final, the Eagles once again proved why they sit atop the mountain. Princeton made them dig deep, and in doing so, reminded everyone how high the level of volleyball in New Jersey has risen.
When the final ball dropped, Evans and her teammates embraced at mid-court… undefeated, unshaken, and unmistakably elite.
Statistical Comparison
| Category | Paul VI | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| Kills | 58 | 40 |
| Blocks | 8 | 4 |
| Digs | 65 | 51 |
| Assists | 61 | 37 |
| Aces | 7 | 6 |
Top Individual Totals
Paul VI
- Megan Evans: 36 kills, 10 digs
- Amelia Reagan: 15 kills, 5 digs
- Sioni Adeniran: 4 blocks
- Lyla Rossi: 56 assists, 10 digs, 1 ace
- Avery Margre: 18 digs, 3 aces
- Maddy Harada: 11 digs, 1 ace
Princeton
- Naomi Lygas: 20 kills, 9 digs, 2 aces
- Charlotte Woods: 12 kills, 11 digs, 1 ace
- Kaelin Bobetich: 31 assists, 8 digs, 1 ace
- Camila Barbosa: 15 digs
- Lily Cao: 2 aces
TidBits
The meeting marked one of the few times this season that a top-ten program faced the state’s overall No. 1. Both teams entered with conference titles already secured.
Paul VI had already clinched the Olympic Patriot Division, while Princeton held first place in the BCSL-CVC. The match served as a key non-conference test ahead of the state tournament.