10/23/25
When Jackson Township girls volleyball opened its inaugural season this fall, no one quite knew what to expect. Two rival schools, Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty, were coming together to form one program, a true co-op of culture, competition, and community. The players met as strangers in August, their different gym banners and colors barely folded away. By October, the Jackson Township Jaguars were 17-3, Shore B South champions, and one of the most compelling stories in New Jersey high school volleyball.
At the center of it all stood a 14-year-old freshman who didn’t just rise to the moment, she defined it.
Evelina Chimidova has become a name to remember across the Shore. In just her first varsity season, she racked up 189 kills, 34 digs, and 18 aces over 44 sets, leading her team in kills and quickly earning recognition as one of the Shore’s most dynamic young outside hitters. Her start was meteoric, 30 kills in her first two matches, including an 18-kill performance in a three-set win over Raritan. That explosion earned her Shore Conference Player of the Week, but Eva insists she wasn’t even thinking about stats.
“During my first two matches, the only thing that I was probably thinking about was how excited I was to finally play my first official games,” she said. “I definitely had so much fun on the court. I honestly wasn’t thinking about stats or anything that would happen during or after my first games. I actually discovered that I had 30 kills when I got the award!”
That joy and authenticity have been the through-line of her breakout season, a season that has brought pride not only to her team but to two entire schools learning how to cheer as one.
Building Chemistry from Scratch
Forming a co-op team can be messy. Players from different schools often carry old rivalries, different systems, and separate circles of friends. But for Evelina, joining the new Jackson Township squad felt natural from the first practice.
“Being a part of this historical team was a huge pleasure for me,” she said. “Everyone was just so friendly that I would always forget that we just combined two different schools. I can’t believe that two months ago I didn’t know any of them how I do now.”
That sense of belonging translated onto the court. The Jaguars stormed through the early season, opening 8-0 and sweeping programs like Trinity Hall, Point Pleasant Beach, and Wall. As they found rhythm, so did their young star. By mid-September, Evelina had notched double-digit kills in seven matches and was drawing the full attention of opposing defenses.
Still, her focus remained inward, on improvement, chemistry, and confidence. Head Coach Steven Vanhise trusted her from day one, slotting the freshman into a key attacking role alongside experienced upperclassmen like Sydney Negron, Rafaella Mesquita, and Sydney Savage. That vote of confidence transformed her nerves into fuel.
“Coach Vanhise helped me to be confident and helped me to see that being on varsity is nothing scary,” Evelina said. “He always supports me on the court and made me shine and feel the confidence in my play!”
Vanhise’s belief in his young hitter mirrored what the rest of the roster felt. This wasn’t just a new team, it was a new beginning.
A Division Title and a Dream
By mid-October, Jackson Township had captured the Shore B South Division title, a stunning feat for a first-year program. For the players, it wasn’t just a trophy, it was proof that they had built something meaningful together.
“Winning the Shore B South division title was one of the happiest moments for Jackson Township High School,” Evelina said, her pride unmistakable. “Also knowing that’s only the start of the new program we have built.”
The numbers tell a story of balance and belief. While Evelina led the team in kills, the Jaguars’ success was anchored in depth and defense. Rafaella Mesquita distributed a remarkable 335 assists, Yasmin Palma led with 162 digs, and Sydney Savage added 123 more from the back row. It was a complete team, veterans guiding a talented freshman class, and a freshman giving them the fire of youth.
Together, they’ve redefined what’s possible for a co-op team in its first year.
Playing Beyond Her Years
Evelina’s numbers are dazzling, but her poise in pressure moments might be her most impressive trait. Whether in a late-set rally or a tournament showdown, she’s developed a reputation for staying calm and confident, traits she credits to both her high-school and club coaches.
“When I’m starting to feel the pressure on the court, I’m just trying to talk more and be loud so that will help bring the communication and confidence of the team back,” she said. “During big moments I’m always very confident in myself, and I know that no matter what happens I will do great. That comes from my club coach Juliana at GSA; she helped me to build and have that confidence that I have now.”
That mentality will be tested again as Jackson Township heads into the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals against powerhouse Holmdel (19-1), the #3 seed and Shore B North champions. Most freshmen would be nervous about such a stage. Evelina can’t wait.
“I’m just going to say no matter what happens we will either win, or we will learn something new and become stronger and stronger,” she said. “I can’t wait to play Holmdel, and I’m just so excited to see how I will do against such a good team!”
Her words echo the team’s collective mindset, fearless, grounded, and ready to compete with anyone. For a first-year program, that kind of culture is gold.
The Evolution of a Rising Star
Early in the season, Evelina’s offense was pure energy, big swings, explosive kills, and a tendency to overpower defenses. As the year went on, she began to evolve, learning to see the game in new ways.
“I’ve definitely started to play smarter and see the court better,” she explained. “I’m currently working on my ball control and new ways to score on our opponents.”
That maturity shows in the stat sheet. Her performances grew more efficient, with fewer errors and a sharper shot selection. Against Rumson-Fair Haven in mid-October, she delivered 16 kills in a three-set win, one of her most complete outings of the year. Even in the team’s few losses, Chimidova’s consistency never wavered. She recorded at least five kills in every match of the season and posted 10 or more kills in ten different matches.
For a freshman still learning the pace of the high-school game, that’s extraordinary production. And it’s not lost on her teammates.
“All of them are just so talented and dedicated!” she said. “They push me to be my best every day, and I can’t find the words to describe how lucky I am to call them my teammates. They have become like a family to me!”
That bond between seniors playing their final season and a freshman just beginning hers may be the secret behind Jackson Township’s success. Players like Savage, Negron, Palma, and the Mesquita sisters have embraced Eva not just as a teammate but as a symbol of the future they helped create.
A Glimpse of Tomorrow
At just 14, Evelina already talks like someone who understands legacy. She’s quick to acknowledge that her career is only beginning, but she carries a vision that extends beyond the next match.
“For the next three years, I want to make some records for my school before I go to college, and I want to make my name known,” she said. “I definitely want to keep growing and keep learning more about volleyball every day! And of course, I just want to improve as an athlete.”
Those ambitions are grounded not in ego, but in gratitude. She knows her journey is the result of guidance from her coaches, teammates, and family. And with each kill, dig, and ace, she’s helping to write the story of a brand-new program that might one day hang championship banners of its own.
Jackson Township’s rapid rise has already drawn statewide attention. A 17-3 record in its first season isn’t just impressive, it’s historic. And when people ask how it happened, most point to a talented roster that clicked faster than anyone imagined. But look closer, and you’ll find a freshman who embodies the joy and drive that make great teams special.
“I was actually really excited to finally prove all the work I have done outside the school and improve myself overall,” she said. “I just know that’s only the start of my career, and I’m just so excited for what’s going to happen next.”
That mix of humility and hunger defines her. It’s rare to see a player so young handle both success and spotlight with such grace, but Eva seems to thrive on it, not because she wants attention, but because she genuinely loves the game.
The Heart of a Program
Jackson Township’s season has been full of moments to remember: the early-season sweep of Trinity Hall that set the tone, the thrilling three-set wins over Raritan and Rumson-Fair Haven, and the emotional clinching of the Shore B South crown. Through it all, Evelina has been more than a stat line, she’s been a spark, a smile, and a symbol of what’s possible when talent meets teamwork.
Coach Vanhise says the foundation has been laid for years of success. With players like Evelina, the program’s future feels limitless.
And for the freshman phenom, the story is only beginning.
“I’m ready to start something new this year and take a big step in my volleyball career,” she said. “No matter what happens, we’ll keep growing and getting stronger.”
As the Jaguars march into the postseason, one thing is certain: Jackson Township has found its cornerstone. Her name is Evelina Chimidova, and her light is just beginning to shine.