After a day full of NJSIAA state semifinal matches, the matchups for each of the six groups are all set up, making for a fun weekend down at Franklin Township High School on November 16^th and 17^th.

GROUP 1

Jefferson vs. Secaucus

JEFFERSON 2-0 (25-14, 25-23)

Another day, another strong and balanced attack from the Jefferson Falcons. Senior outside-hitter Carsyn Giessuebel tallied 9 kills and five digs, to go along with two aces. Scarlett Melick crushed six kills, while Peyton Bradley mashed five kills of her own. After Jefferson soundly took the first set, the second set caused the Freedom Gymnasium to be on the edges of their chairs. A kill by Giessuebel, ended the match, sending the ‘Nest’ into a frenzy.

Madison vs. Raritan

RARITAN 2-1 (19-25, 26-24, 25-17)

Raritan took down Madison in a three-set matinee, thanks to a variety of hitters putting the ball away for the Rockets. Are you seeing a trend here? Six Raritan hitters recorded kills, including Sophie Papagiannakis who led the way with eight for the Rockets. Despite producing less kills and aces, Raritan was able to play just enough defense to win the match.

GROUP 1 FINALS

Jefferson vs. Raritan

Josh’s Prediction:

JEFFERSON 2-0

Jefferson should take this one in convincing fashion, two quick sets. Firepower from Carsyn Giessuebel, Scarlett Melick and Peyton Bradley will be too much for Raritan to handle. Look for Aleah Woelfel to lead the team at the service line, as per usual. A win here would put the bow on a historical season for Jefferson, also earning Coach Rose his first ever sectional and group championship.

GROUP 2

Old Tappan vs. Lyndhurst

OLD TAPPAN 2-0 (25-17, 25-16)

Strong games from Samantha Kranzler, Eva Curko and Julia Whaley had the Old Tappan Golden Knights coasting to an easy win over Lyndhurst. Kranzler (15), Curko (8) and Whaley (6) combined for 29 of Old Tappan’s 32 kills. Setter Addison Gioffre racked up 30 assists, giving her 988 for her career. Providing something crazy happening, Gioffre should tally those 12 assists about midway through the group 2 finals match. That would give the senior 1,000 assists, ending her career on a high note.

Governor Livingston vs. Pinelands

GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON 2-0 (25-16, 26-24)

The Highlanders of Governor Livingston were led by Abby Kim and Eva Sottosanti, who combined for 17 kills. Kim is one kill shy of 700 for her career, putting her in an excellent position to reach 1,000 during her senior campaign in 2025. Sottosanti floated in four service aces, as Governor Livingston was able to hold off Pinelands.

GROUP 2 FINALS

Old Tappan vs. Governor Livingston

Josh’s Prediction:

OLD TAPPAN 2-0

Old Tappan is a top-10 team in the state, and for good reason. They are one of the most well-rounded teams out there, and are also extremely well-coached. Kranzler and Curko will be the leading forces for the Golden Knights, as they have been for a majority of the season. Old Tappan has not lost a game this season, and should finish as the only undefeated team in all of NJ.

GROUP 3

Ramapo vs. Millburn

RAMAPO 2-0 (25-23, 25-14)

Ramapo took the first set by the smallest of margins, but took off in set number two. Sara Wingfield is just in one of those grooves. Wingfield crushed 15 kills, giving her 400 and she is only a sophomore. Senior outside-hitter Sophia Goldstein also recorded seven kills, to go along with six digs and two aces. Junior setter Ella Petrevski dished out 27 assists, while floating in four aces. Petrevski is 1 assist from 900 for her career and will presumably reach 1,000 in the first couple of weeks of the 2025 season.

Princeton vs. Moorestown

PRINCETON 2-0 (25-8, 25-9)

Princeton is number one in the state, and for good reason. They make good teams look silly on a daily basis, and yesterday was no exception. Juniors Naomi Lygas and Charlotte woods each mashed 12 kills as the Little Tigers cruised to win in the group 3 semifinals. Lygas also recorded 10 digs, giving her a double-double, while setter Lois Matsukawa continued to pile on assists to her incredible career mark. 22 assists for the senior setter now puts her at 1,724. The most overlooked part of that all is that she also has 230 aces for her career, so don’t let her chill at the service line.

GROUP 3 FINALS

Ramapo vs. Princeton

Josh’s Prediction:

PRINCETON 2-0

Princeton is, well, THE best team in the state and there is no denying that. Led by two talented junior hitters, the Litte Tigers should lock up their second consecutive group 3 title. Coach Manhart has her team playing hard, no matter who the opponent is and Princeton should coast to a two-set victory.

GROUP 4

Morristown vs. Westfield

WESTFIELD 2-1 (25-19, 19-25, 25-23)

Westfield was able to hold off Morristown, despite dropping the second set and competing in a tightly-contested third set. Junior hitters Ava Gaspard and Vicki Morey each mashed kills, in the double-digit variety. Add Catie Carayannopoulos and her eight kills in there, and you’ve got quite a balance of scoring for the Blue Devils. Setter Emelia Dengler dished out 29 assists, bringing her to within nine of 500 for her career. Dengler, a junior will get to set her big hitters next season, but they have a big task at hand before that can happen.

Old Bridge vs. Williamstown

WILLIAMSTOWN 2-0 (25-19, 25-23)

The Williamstown rode Gab Titus and Stella Eberly to a two-set victory. Titus (12) and Eberly (11) combined for 23 of the Braves’ 31 kills as a team. Gab Titus also recorded 12 digs, as her double-double may have been the difference maker in this match. Solid defense collectively helped Williamstown to hold off Old Bridge, earning a berth in the group 4 finals.

GROUP 4 FINALS

Westfield vs. Williamstown

Josh’s Prediction:

WILLIAMSTOWN 2-0

Williamstown has two incredible hitters that can put the ball away, and their usually sometimes goes unmatched. Ramapo will have a tough time putting the ball down, and the Williamstown Braves will take this match in two sets.

NON-PUBLIC A

Immaculate Heart vs. Kent Place

IMMACULATE HEART 2-0 (25-19, 25-13)

Talk about a balanced attack…Julia Sobilo led the way with six kills, but three other IHA hitters tallied at least four kills. Maggie Polchin led the way defensively for IHA, recording 10 digs, while Alessandra Nazor seemingly found every hitter on the planet with her distribution of 19 assists. Immaculate Heart will certainly have a tough test in the Non-Public A finals.

Paul VI vs. Notre Dame

NOTRE DAME 2-0 (25-21, 25-17)

Notre Dame completely outclassed Paul VI in the Non-Public A semifinals. Cassady Smith crushed 10 kills to lead the charge for the Irish. Maia Cinca chipped in with seven kills of her own, Notre Dame made it very difficult to get much going for Paul VI. Eight service aces definitely played a factor in why this game ended the way it did.

NON-PUBLIC A FINALS

Immaculate Heart vs. Notre Dame

Josh’s Prediction:

NOTRE DAME 2-0

Notre Dame is one of those teams that flies under the radar, especially because the BCSL conference just doesn’t get that much love. Here’s everyone’s daily reminder that both Notre Dame AND Princeton play in the same division within the BCSL. Notre Dame will out-serve Immaculate Heart and that will be the difference in the game.

NON-PUBLIC B

St. Mary (Rutherford) vs. Montclair Kimberley

ST. MARY (RUTHERFORD) 2-1 (22-25, 26-24, 25-21)

This was all Noelle Savonije, thanks to her 17 kills and 11 digs. A strong defensive effort teamwide helped the Gaels to hold off any last attempts that Montclair Kimberley made to steal this match. Junior setter Athena Goletsos handed out 23 assists, in addition to recording 10 digs. Both Goletsos and Savonije recorded double-doubles, showing why this team is capable of playing like a well-oiled machine. Autumn Samek also floated in five service aces for the Gaels.

Bishop Eustace vs. Rutgers Prep

RUTGERS PREP 2-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-22)

Rutgers Prep was led by Aubrey Franz, with her nine kills and two blocks. Evija Domanski, Ava Ballard and Anushka Gubbala each recorded six kills, as the Argonauts were able to hold off Bishop Eustace. Laela Domanski led the way with a 10-dig effort on the defensive end. Both she and her sister Evija combined for five of their team’s 12 aces, to go along with give from Ava Ballard and two from Anushka Gubbala.

NON-PUBLIC B FINALS

St. Mary (Rutherford) vs. Rutgers Prep

Josh’s Prediction:

RUTGERS PREP 2-1

Rutgers Prep very well-rounded, just look at the fact that they had four players record at least six kills apiece in their last contest. Their ability to spread the ball around, in addition to their strong serving will help them to likely earn the Non-Public B crown.