Josh WiletsLast season saw some incredible performances on the volleyball court, in addition to some surprise teams making noise!
Here is a quick recap:
Group Champions:
- Non-Public A: Immaculate Heart def. Paul VI 2-1
- Non-Public B: Rutgers Prep def. St. Mary (Rutherford) 2-0
- Group 1: Verona def. Delaware Valley 2-0
- Group 2: Demarest def. Governor Livingston 2-0
- Group 3: Princeton def. Millburn 2-0
- Group 4: Southern def. Morristown 2-0
Gatorade Player of the Year: Taylor Miller (Demarest)
With that being said, take a look at our “Way Too Early Top 20” for girls volleyball.
20. Hunterdon Central – The Red Devils finished 23-6 and were runners-up in the H/W/S Tournament.
Key Returners: Reagan Dyba, Emma Kovacs, Ava Limone, Becky Rincon
Key Subtractions: Emma Balica, Olivia Brennan, Elisa Chin, Katie McBrierty
19. Governor Livingston – The Highlanders finished 21-7 and were defeated by Demarest in the Group 2 finals last season.
Key Returners: Abby Kim, Anna Kramarchuk, Julie Rinaldi, Eva Sottosanti
Key Subtractions: Gabriella Henriques, Sam Huynh, Annabelle Kuzmin, Ava Lombardi, Haley Motz, Madison Murphy, Polina Provotorova, Avery Saturina
18. Verona – The Hillbillies finished 25-4 and won the Group 1 finals over Delaware Valley. Verona also finished as runners-up in the Essex County Tournament.
Key Returners: Jessica Theobald, Julie Maglifiore
Key Subtractions: Kendra Santos, Emily Theobald, Katie Meehan, Marley Kramer, Cara DeMars
17. Livingston– The Lancers finished 22-4 and won the Essex County Tournament. Livingston also finished as runners-up in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 finals.
Key Returners: Camilla Dong, Nesta Oji, Cadence Sturt
Key Subtractions: Elexa Bragarnik, Anika Dhar, Nadia Khalaj, Isabela Ubrig, Natalia Zuniga-Ramos
16. St. John Vianney – The Lancers finished 20-6 and were defeated by Donovan Catholic in the Shore Conference semifinals and by Union Catholic in the Non-Public A quarterfinals.
Key Returners: Genevieve Millett, Ayana Warren, Skye Kemple, Amelia Moro, Sophia Russo, Gianna Pena, Giavanna Sergi, Briana Slattery, Taylor Sofilkanich
Key Subtractions: Stephanie Buttons
15. Union Catholic – The Vikings finished 21-7 and finished as runners-up in the Union County Tournament. Union Catholic was also defeated by Immaculate Heart in the Non-Public A semifinals.
Key Returners: Ryan Gorski, Rachel Williams, Alyssa Kenol, Alex Landazabal
Key Subtractions: Josie Allen, Bella Capati, Haiden Fuhrmann, Zia Oriol
14. Westfield – The Blue Devils finished 21-5 and won the Union County Tournament finals. Westfield was also defeated by Morristown in the Group 4 semifinals.
Key Returners: Ava Gaspard, Keira Deignan
Key Subtractions: Karolina Bonn, Caitlin Cabrales, Olivia Calandra, Giuliana Gallo, Genevieve Gauthier, Grace Kim, Abbigail Pevzner, Chloe Wiedman
13. Donovan Catholic – The Griffins finished 27-4 and finished as runners-up in the Shore Conference Tournament. Donovan Catholic was also defeated by Paul VI in the Non-Public A semifinals.
Key Returners: Brooke Bowbliss, Bri Klohn
Key Subtractions: Shantel Starling, Macayla Lindner, Caleigh Austin, Carly Bowbliss, Elizabeth Kavanaugh, Daniella Tischio, Grace Wolfsohn
12. Old Tappan – The Golden Knights finished 20-4 and finished as runners-up in the Bergen County Tournament. Old Tappan was also defeated by Demarest in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 semifinals.
Key Returners: Samantha Kranzler, Eva Curko, Brenna Delaney, Addison Gioffre, Jamie Kim, Julia Whaley
Key Subtractions: Maya Giordano, Layla Giordano, Isabella Benasillo, Grayson Housley
11. Demarest – The Norseman finished 21-7 and won the Group 2 championship. Demarest was also defeated by Immaculate Heart in the Bergen County Tournament semifinals.
Key Returners: Cassandra Dahms, Deana Finkelstein
Key Subtractions: Taylor Miller, Lilly Hamlin, Netta Saban, Kayla Sanchez, Syrena Sayid, Claire Song, Isabella Villa
10. Sparta – The Spartans finished 22-2 and won the H/W/S Tournament finals. Sparta was also defeated by River Dell in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 semifinals.
Key Returners: Aralyn Saulys, Giselle Faria, Tara Keller, Sylvia Przydzial, Emma Kristiansen, Lea Tsamadias, Tessa Goldman
Key Subtractions: Payton Simpson, Haley Maher
9. River Dell– The Golden Hawks finished 17-5 and were defeated by Demarest in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 finals.
Key Returners: Cassidy Collins, Leah McHale, CorleyAnn Rodgers, Addison Viscardi
Key Subtractions: Erin McCabe, Olivia Hanna, Helena Marcus, Reese Petersen, Julia Ryan
8. Old Bridge – The Knights finished 28-4 and won the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament finals.
Key Returners: Ashley Markle, Emily Lennon, Weronika Malinowski, Gabriela Mroz, Alexa Witte
Key Subtractions: Ava Accettulli, Julia Gervase, Abigail Jazmin, Julia Mikucki, Julia Morgan
7. Monroe– The Falcons finished 29-4 and were runners-up in the Group 4 semifinals.
Key Returners: Natalie Grant, Kristina Latosh, Sarah Levy
Key Subtractions: Alyssa Grau, Ava Kwitkoski, Allison Nieves, Hannah Weinmann
6. Paul VI– The Eagles finished 22-4 and finished as runners-up in the Non-Public A finals.
Key Returners: Kayle Arozio, Kassadi Avent, Maggie Carrillo, Brynn Casmay, Megan Evans, Danielle Mascolo, Sam Renzi
Key Subtractions: Emily Ezieruaku, Kailyn Greene-Gordon, Jessa Zulueta
5. Morristown– The Colonials finished 23-1 and won the Morris County Tournament finals for the first time in program history. Morristown was also defeated by Southern in the Group 4 finals.
Key Returners: Gwen Atkins, Hailey Atkins, Ashley Padilla, Bella Stephan, Mary Wisloff
Key Subtractions: Sarah Bogert, Maya Summerville, Rachel Van Sciver
4. Williamstown – The Braves finished 25-4 and won the Gloucester County Tournament finals. Williamstown was also defeated by Southern in the South Jersey, Group 4 finals.
Key Returners: Gab Bottino, Stella Eberly, Cassie Guim, Callie Kozeniewski, Lora Kunicki, Gab Titus, Alyssa Verratti
Key Subtractions: Dajah Williams, Kara Gaskins
3. Immaculate Heart – The Blue Eagles finished 27-1 and won both the Bergen County Tournament finals and the Non-Public A finals.
Key Returners: Eve Roman, Rachel Paton, Julia Sobilo
Key Subtractions: Abby Romero, Kalena Stavish, Emily Sabino, Bryana Seanz, Maddie Sandt
2. Princeton– The Tigers finished 30-1 and won both the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) finals and the Group 3 finals.
Key Returners: Pearl Agel, Kaelin Bobetich, Naomi Lygas, Lois Matsukawa, Zoe Nuland, Charlotte Woods
Key Subtractions: Mackenzie Lyle
1. Southern – The Rams finished 32-2 and won both the Shore Conference Tournament finals and the Group 4 finals.
Key Returners: Jessica Smart, Emily Brunatti, Bailey Adams, Bryn Hagen, Madeline Iorio, Ava Pirrello, Leah Silva
Key Subtractions: Sarah Capone, Liliana Davis, Jordyn Hamlin, Molly Regulski
A handful of coaching changes throughout the state will leave opportunities for new coaches to make names for themselves, as some of them are taking over the reigns of marquee programs.
With that being said, let us know your thoughts on this preliminary top 20 ranking! Which other teams or players should we be looking out for?
Best of luck to all teams!
