Josh Wilets
On Saturday, November 16th, and Sunday, November 17th, all six of the NJSIAA girls volleyball group champions have been crowned.
Let’s go group by group!
GROUP 1
Jefferson vs. Raritan
JEFFERSON 2-0 (25-22, 26-24)
This match was entertaining from the get-go. Scarlett Melick led the attack for the Falcons, with her 11 kills. Carsyn Giessuebel tallied nine kills, while Peyton Bradley recorded seven of her own. Bradley, a sophomore, also led the way defensively with nine digs. Senior setter Aleah Woelfel dished out 22 assists, as she found her three hitters seemingly at will. The Jefferson Falcons ended their historic season on a high note, finishing with a record of 26-5.
GROUP 1 CHAMPIONSHIP MVP: Scarlett Melick (senior right-side hitter)
Scarlett Melick crushed 11 kills, to go along with two blocks and two digs
JEFFERSON GAME STAT LEADERS
| KILLS | BLOCKS | DIGS | ASSISTS |
| Scarlett Melick (11) | Scarlett Melick (2)Lily Sonnenberg (2) | Peyton Bradley (9) | Aleah Woelfel (22) |
GROUP 2
Governor Livingston vs. Old Tappan
OLD TAPPAN 2-0 (25-20, 25-11)
After a relatively tightly contested first set, the Old Tappan Golden Knights found their groove and absolutely took off in the second set. Samantha Kranzler led the way with 12 kills, followed by Julia Whaley who crushed seven kills. Whaley also recorded two blocks for the Golden Knights. Another signature moment in this match was the moment when senior setter Addison Gioffre recorded her 1,000th career assists. Gioffre dished out 23 assists in the match, ending with a season total that saw her amass 568 assists. Old Tappan finished the season as the only undefeated team in NJ, finishing with a record of 25-0.
GROUP 2 CHAMPIONSHIP MVP: Samantha Kranzler (senior outside hitter)
Samantha Kranzler crushed 12 kills, in addition to recording one block, five assists and two aces
OLD TAPPAN GAME STAT LEADERS
| KILLS | BLOCKS | DIGS | ASSISTS | ACES |
| Samantha Kranzler (12) | Julia Whaley (2) | Desi Malafis (6) | Addison Gioffre (23) | Samantha Kranzler (2) |
GROUP 3
Princeton vs. Ramapo
PRINCETON 2-0 (25-8, 25-11)
The Princeton Little Tigers repeated as group 3 champions, and they did it in dominating fashion. Naomi Lygas smashed 11 kills, and both Kaelin Bobetich and Charlotte Woods recorded five kills apiece. Anya Haeberli tallied four blocks and made it very difficult for Ramapo to find a clean lane to hit the ball whenever she was in the front row. Pearl Agel recorded 12 digs, while Lois Matsukawa dished out 14 assists. The Little Tigers combined for nine service aces as a team and the strong service was definitely a big part of the recipe for Princeton winning this match. Princeton finished with a 28-1 record this season.
GROUP 3 CHAMPIONSHIP MVP: Naomi Lygas (junior outside hitter)
Naomi Lygas crushed mashed 11 kills, in addition to recording one block, three digs and two aces
PRINCETON GAME STAT LEADERS
| KILLS | BLOCKS | DIGS | ASSISTS | ACES |
| Naomi Lygas (11) | Anya Haeberli (4) | Pearl Agel (12) | Lois Matsukawa (14) | Kaelin Bobetich (2) & Charlotte Woods (2) |
GROUP 4
Westfield vs. Williamstown
WILLIAMSTOWN 2-0 (25-13, 25-11)
The Williamstown Braves took care of business, winning their second group 4 title in four years. Senior outside hitter Gab Titus crushed 12 kills, and setter Cassie Guim took care of finding her hitters as she handed out 20 assists. Williamstown is a strong team year-in and year-out, and 2024 was no exception. The Braves finished the season with a 32-1 record and returned to the top of the group 4 mountain.
GROUP 4 CHAMPIONSHIP MVP: Gab Titus (senior outside hitter)
Gab Titus crushed mashed 12 kills, in addition to recording five digs and one ace
WILLIAMSTOWN GAME STAT LEADERS
| KILLS | BLOCKS | DIGS | ASSISTS | ACES |
| Gab Titus (12) | Gab Bottino (1) | Gab Titus (5), Stella Eberly (5) & Lora Kunicki (5) | Cassie Guim (20) | Gab Bottino (3) |
NON-PUBLIC A
Notre Dame vs. Immaculate Heart
IMMACULATE HEART 2-0 (25-11, 25-22)
The Immaculate Heart Blue Eagles took off early in the first set, getting off on the right foot against a very formidable Notre Dame team. In the second set, Notre Dame put up a strong fight with their season on the brink. Ultimately, it was IHA who grabbed the Non-Public A title for the third season in a row. Julia Sobilo tallied nine kills, while Lauren Henneberry and Eve Romon combined for 12 of their own. Immaculate Heart brought a strong block to the contest, tallying eight blocks as a team. That, along with 10 service aces and their balanced attack, helped the Blue Eagles to finish the mission. Immaculate Heart finished with a record of 26-4.
NON-PUBLIC A CHAMPIONSHIP MVP: Julia Sobilo (senior opposite hitter)
Julia Sobilo tallied nine kills, three blocks, eight digs, as will as an assist and an ace
IMMACULATE HEART GAME STAT LEADERS
| KILLS | BLOCKS | DIGS | ASSISTS | ACES |
| Julia Sobilo (9) | Julia Sobilo (3) | Maggie Polchin (10) | Alessandra Nazor (20) | Alessandra Nazor (4) |
NON-PUBLIC B
Rutgers Prep vs. St. Mary (Rutherford)
ST. MARY (RUTHERFORD) 2-1 (20-25, 25-17, 25-19)
The St. Mary (Rutherford) Gaels found themselves in a rematch of the Non-Public B finals from a season ago. This time, it was for revenge against Rutgers Prep after the Argonauts took down the Gaels in 2023. After St. Mary lost the first set on Saturday, the Gaels rebounded and took the next two and earned the Non-Public B crown. Senior Sara Griesbauer led the charge for the Gaels, as she recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs. Griesbauer led the team in three of the five major stat categories as St. Mary won their first group title in program history. The Gaels ended the season with a record of 19-7 overall.
NON-PUBLIC B CHAMPIONSHIP MVP: Sara Griesbauer (senior outside hitter)
Sara Griesbauer recorded 10 kills, 11 digs and three service aces
ST. MARY (RUTHERFORD) GAME STAT LEADERS
| KILLS | BLOCKS | DIGS | ASSISTS | ACES |
| Sara Griesbauer (10) | Noelle Savonije (2) | Sara Griesbauer (11) | Athena Goletsos (17) | Sara Griesbauer (3) |
