The Match That Must Happen: #1 Paul VI vs. #2 Williamstown

10/26/25

There are moments in high school sports that transcend the stat sheet, matches that define eras, and rivalries that shape legacies. For the 2025 New Jersey girls volleyball season, one such moment sits agonizingly out of reach, unless someone steps forward to make it happen. The undefeated Paul VI Eagles and the equally unbeaten Williamstown Braves have marched through their respective schedules, leaving every opponent behind. They have dominated across conferences, counties, and even state borders, but the state system, without a Tournament of Champions, has ensured that these two powerhouses will not meet unless an exhibition match is arranged. That cannot stand.

With the NJPowerranking computer algorithm showing the two teams separated by a microscopic 0.03 rating points, nestled in virtual dead-heat, New Jersey’s volleyball community is witnessing the rarest of standoffs. Two programs, both perfect, both elite, both deserving of the top spot, yet the crown cannot be shared. The only true way to decide the state’s #1 team is not through speculation, polls, or punditry, but through play. A head-to-head match between Paul VI and Williamstown is not just wanted, it’s needed.

The Unstoppable Force: Paul VI Eagles (21-0)

Paul VI, under head coach Dan Chung, has built a volleyball juggernaut. The Eagles’ perfect 21-0 record reads like a tour of dominance across the region. They’ve swept through Olympic-Patriot competition, toppled powerhouses like #21 Southern, #17 Cherokee, PolyPrep (NY), Ursuline (DE), and Padua (DE), and proven their depth across every rotation. With their non-conference slate reaching beyond New Jersey borders, they’ve shown they can handle pressure, travel, and unfamiliar opponents with the same calm precision that defines a championship program.

The attack begins with senior outside hitter Megan Evans, a force of nature whose 234 kills lead the Eagles. Evans’ swing speed, control, and ability to terminate from both pins make her a nightmare for blockers. Sophomore setter Lyla Rossi, already a master of tempo and vision, has recorded 243 assists, many of them on quick-trigger sets to Evans or senior hitter Amelia Reagan, who has added 139 kills of her own.

The Eagles’ floor defense is anchored by junior libero Brynn Casmay, whose 132 digs and 29 aces keep opponents off balance from the service line. And then there’s senior Maggie Carcillo, one of the most complete players in the state. Her dual role as a setter and outside hitter has produced 82 kills, 78 digs, and 288 assists, showing the kind of all-court impact that separates good teams from great ones.

Depth defines this roster. Kam Wertz’s 32 blocks provide a strong front-court deterrent, while Avery Margre’s defensive consistency (87 digs, 36 aces) ensures the back row never breaks down. The Eagles don’t rely on one star; they overwhelm opponents with balance, speed, and relentless serve pressure.

The Immovable Object: Williamstown Braves (24-0)

Across South Jersey, another story has unfolded, one that mirrors Paul VI’s perfection. The Williamstown Braves, coached by Chris Sheppard, are 24-0 with an unblemished 8-0 Tri-County Royal record. Their résumé reads like a roll call of conquests: #19 Southern, #3 Old Bridge, #6 Princeton, #4 Secaucus, #5 Vianney, and #14 Pinelands have all fallen. Each match adds to the growing mythos of a team that refuses to yield with a storied history of sustained success.

The Braves’ offensive rhythm flows through sophomore setter Khloe Lynch, who has distributed 476 assists and added 109 digs and 29 aces. Her connection with the Braves’ attackers has produced a balanced offense where multiple players can take over a match. Senior Stella Eberly has been the leading weapon, compiling 190 kills and 188 digs, showing the kind of two-way dominance that defines championship-caliber players.

But Lynch and Eberly are far from alone. Addilyn Belcher adds 169 kills and 40.5 blocks, while junior Peyton Wright has delivered 178 kills, 170 digs, and 25 aces, production that mirrors Paul VI’s Reagan almost stat for stat. Senior Lora Kunicki, with 231 digs and 45 aces, might be the most underrated libero in the state, her court coverage and serve-receive consistency the foundation for Williamstown’s perfect season.

Everywhere you look on the stat sheet, the Braves match or surpass Paul VI’s balance. They’ve proven they can go the distance, outlasting Old Bridge in a tight three-set thriller that remains the Knights’ only loss of the season. They’ve swept through major tournaments and back-to-back match days without fatigue showing in their play. Like Paul VI, they have not just beaten their schedule, they have owned it.

Stat for Stat: Two Sides of the Same Coin

When we line the two up, it becomes almost eerie how evenly matched these programs are:

These aren’t coincidences; they’re indicators of symmetry. Both programs have elite setters, veteran leadership, and fearless hitters. Paul VI may hold a slight edge in offensive efficiency and aces, while Williamstown shines in defensive dominance and stamina across long tournament stretches. Statistically, the difference between them, just 0.03 rating points, is as close as it gets in any NJP season to date.

The Missing Game That Could Define a Generation

Without a Tournament of Champions, these two programs will finish their respective seasons on parallel tracks, perfect records intact, trophies in hand, and no definitive answer as to who reigns supreme. For fans, that’s heartbreak. For the players, it’s unfinished business.

Paul VI’s postseason path will likely wind through St. John Vianney and Immaculate Heart, both formidable non-public contenders. Williamstown will face its own crucible in the Group 4 playoffs, where a potential rematch with Old Bridge looms. Both sides could, and should, go undefeated. And if they do, what happens then? Do we let algorithms decide the state’s top team? Do we settle for polls and opinions when the data and desire beg for competition?

The answer is simple: we need this match. The players deserve it. The fans demand it. The sport requires it.

The Players Who Would Define It

Imagine the gym packed to capacity. On one side, Megan Evans and Amelia Reagan powering Paul VI’s attack; on the other, Stella Eberly and Peyton Wright answering with equal force. Lyla Rossi and Khloe Lynch, two of the state’s premier setters, both underclassmen, orchestrating every rally with poise beyond their years. Each point would be a chess match. Each dig, each swing, a statement.

Eberly vs. Evans alone would be a duel for the ages. Evans, the senior with 234 kills and the confidence of a proven closer, versus Eberly, the senior who has matched her kill-for-kill while anchoring the Braves’ serve receive. Add in Carcillo and Lynch, the two conductors setting the tempo, and you have the perfect storm of talent, leadership, and competitive fire.

Why the Match Matters Beyond Rankings

High school sports are about opportunity, to compete, to grow, to inspire. A Paul VI vs. Williamstown match would be more than a battle for supremacy. It would be a showcase of New Jersey volleyball at its finest. For younger players across the state, it would be proof that elite volleyball isn’t just thriving in California or Texas, it’s right here in the Garden State.

The match would unite communities, drive record attendance, and elevate the profile of every athlete involved. College coaches would watch. Media outlets would cover. The energy alone would be electric. And beyond the scoreboard, it would be a celebration of the sport’s growth, the dedication of coaches like Dan Chung and Chris Sheppard, and the rise of programs that have earned respect far beyond state lines.

The Call to Action

Schedules can change. Gyms can open. Teams can agree. This match can happen if the will exists to make it so.

Let’s not let the 2025 season end with an asterisk. Let’s not let the debate linger in group chats, comment sections, and post-season polls. The players have done everything asked of them. They’ve practiced, traveled, and competed with class and intensity. Now it’s time for administrators, coaches, and athletic directors to meet that same standard.

There is still time to arrange a neutral-site matchup, a late-season showcase that gives New Jersey volleyball the finale it deserves. Whether it’s at Rutgers, Rowan, or a high-school gym capable of holding 1,000 roaring fans, the venue matters less than the moment.

The Verdict

In a season filled with excellence, only one question remains: who is truly #1? The NJPowerranking computer has spoken, and it says the difference is 0.03. But computers don’t play matches. Players do.

Paul VI vs. Williamstown isn’t just a hypothetical. It’s destiny waiting for a whistle. And until that first serve goes up, the 2025 season will remain unfinished business.

Let’s finish it.