2024 Morris/Sussex girls volleyball team-by-team preview capsules

NJAC-Liberty

HANOVER PARK

Coach: Tara Setzer, ninth season

Last season: 9-14

Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Sarah Diamante, Sr. OH Sara Krajkovich, Sr. O Ashley Pomante, Sr. Fjolla Qosaj, Sr. Jillian Ciprich, Sr. M Natalia Rodriguez, Sr. Mia DePinto, Jr. L Ruby Marlin, Jr. S Jolie Casale, Jr. O Jade Hueston, Jr. Ava Caccavelli

Newcomers: So. O Stella Roberts

Outlook: Scrappy Hanover Park hopes to be more competitive.

KINNELON

Coach: Stephanie Finke, 15th season

Last season: 19-5, 11-1 NJAC-Liberty; NJSIAA North 1, Group 1 champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. L Alisa Friedman,Sr. M Maddie Cignini, Sr. Sophia Parisi, Jr. S Julia Gutkin

Newcomers: So. L Jordyn Zilocchi, So. O Hazel Klouse

Outlook: Creative lineups will be key to Kinnelon's success.

More: Kinnelon girls volleyball takes down Bogota to win first sectional title since 2019

MADISON

Coach: Stephen Fenton, 19th season

Last season: 17-8, 7-5 NJAC-Liberty

Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Devon Johnson, Sr. Tessa Finn, Sr. OH Casey McCormick, Jr. OH Sophia Christoffers, Jr. OH Eden O'Connor, Jr. M Charlotte Forrester

Newcomers: Jr. OH Olivia di Freitas, Jr. Lindsay Brennerman, Jr. O Eliana Mandel, So. O Riley Faraher, So. S Tarana Menon

Outlook: Madison hopes to return to the Group 2 North final.

MORRIS TECH

Coach: Kathleen Turnbull, sixth season

Last season: 18-4, 7-1 NJAC-Freedom co-champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. S Jordan Plasky, Sr. L Sophie Blebitreu, So. OH Brielle Shoemaker, So. M Danielle Delgato

Newcomers: So. Valentina Ferrate, Fr. OH Carly Roper

Outlook: The young Devils are excited about their move to the NJAC-Liberty.

ST. ELIZABETH

Coach: Cara Jayne Bodnar, second season

Last season: 11-12

Returning letter-winners: Sr. OH Mackenzie Seigle, Sr. L Amanda Acevedo, Sr. S Madalena Benegas

Newcomers: So. O Maggie Greene, Fr. O Juilette Pualin

Outlook: St. Elizabeth graduated three record-setting seniors, but is embracing the challenge of a new season.

NJAC-Independence

MORRIS CATHOLIC

Coach: Emily Gonzalez, third season

Last season: 4-19

Returning letter-winners: Sr. OH Eva Arvelo, Sr. O Tiffany Tabares, Jr. Jocelyn Lovins, Jr. M/OH/L Ava Valenta, Jr. S Laura Stairiker

Newcomers: Sr. OH Cassie Bakas, Sr. M Sophia Stock, Sr. Meghan Alvares, Jr. Gabby Danzi

Outlook: Veteran Morris Catholic hopes to improve.

MORRISTOWN BEARD

Coach: Stephanie Galvez, second season

Last season: 18-7, 10-0 NJAC-Independence champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. OH Raidah Karriem, Jr. L Samantha Cappuccio

Newcomers: Jr. O Madeline Bonn, So. S Mia Preston

Outlook: The young Crimson hope to make an impact in the new-look Independence.

PARSIPPANY

Coach: Corey Meyer, second season

Last season: 11-12

Returning letter-winners: Sr. S Elisabeth Karkanias, Sr. OH Yash Nekkanti

Outlook: The Red Hawks' nine seniors are leading the way.

PEQUANNOCK

Coach: Diana Van Orden, seventh season

Last season: 5-13

Returning letter-winners: So. S/O Fiona Arnold, So. M/OH Ella Arnold

Outlook: Young Pequannock hopes to improve.

VILLA WALSH

Coach: Anneliese Yombor, 13th season

Last season: 12-13, 6-4 NJAC-Independence

Returning letter-winners: Sr. O Nora Dam, Sr. Amalia Hronides, Sr. Claudia Steinberg, Sr. Leia Lange, Sr. S Lily Meier, Sr. S Maria Costello, Sr. M Nora Kraft, Jr. M Elodie Cooney

Newcomers: So. OH/O Bianca Petrucci, So. OH Emily Murphy, So. OH Katie Treacey, Fr. Satine Nader

Outlook: With three sophomores on varsity, young Vikings will definitely make an impact.

WHIPPANY PARK

Coach: Heather Olson, third season

Last season: 2-20

Returning letter-winners: Sr. Brooke Bucci, Sr. Manna Elessawy, Sr. Raelyn Furey, Sr. Sarah Rossi, Jr. Alyssa Wang, So. Maleah May-Anderson, So. Alyson Wong

Outlook: Whippany Park hopes to be more competitive.

NJAC-Freedom

DOVER

Coach: Kayley Moran, first season

Last season: 4-18

Returning letter-winners: Sr. OH Atianna Danzey, Sr. S Brianna Otero, Sr. O Faith Phillips, Jr. L Kylie Espinoza, So. M Lizmar Peguero

Newcomers: Jr. M/OH Sara Canaveral, Fr. L Mia Deleon

Outlook: Moran is the young Tigers’ second coach in three seasons.

HACKETTSTOWN

Coach: Jeannie Tagliareni, 10th season

Last season: 15-1, 4-4 NJAC-Freedom

Returning letter-winners: Sr. S Jennifer Jacobson, Sr. L Izzy Rueda, Jr. OH Ava Fiedler, Jr. O Evangelina French

Newcomers: Jr. M Chloe Stevens, Jr. O Nicole Willis, So. Anna Willis

Outlook: The Tigers are looking forward to the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex and NJSIAA Tournaments.

HIGH POINT

Coach: Aaron Baker, first season

Last season: 3-14

Returning letter-winners: Sr. Ashlyn Ritson, Sr. Kaylee Little, Sr. Kaitlyn Simionidis, Jr. Brooke Wagner, Jr. Kendall Strehl

Newcomers: Jr. O Kira Baeli, Jr. Shannon Coyle, So. M Karly Lockburner, Fr. OH Marley Miller

Outlook: Baker inherits an improving squad from Kate Niemiera, who founded the program five years ago.

JEFFERSON

Coach: Gino Rose, seventh season

Last season: 18-7, 7-1 NJAC-Freedom co-champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. S Aleah Woelfel, Sr. O Scarlett Melick, Sr. OH Carsyn Giessuebel

Outlook: Jefferson hopes to be competitive in the NJAC-Freedom.

VERNON

Coach: Matt Sorensen, 16th season

Last season: 9-11

Returning letter-winners: Sr. S Kaylie Orlando, Sr. OH Helen Bilomasur, Sr. Alexa Gentile, Sr. OH Kasey Keating, Jr. L Elizabeth Peek, Jr. Miranda Ebbighausen

Newcomers: Jr. OH Ella Platt, Jr. O Jaelyn Braden, Jr. M Ava Pecoraro, So. Kaitlyn Van Blarcom, Fr. M Dominica Sierpinski

Outlook: Vernon hopes to be successful in the NJAC-Freedom.

NJAC-American

MONTVILLE

Coach: Angelica Maiello, ninth season

Last season: 13-13, 4-6 NJAC-American; NJSIAA North 2, Group 2 champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. S Lena Unice, Sr. M Cassandra Chauhan, Sr. OH/O Natalia Maciag, Sr. L Adrianna Pressimone, Sr. L Kaitlyn Chen, Sr. Lauren Kideckel, Sr. O Jessica Simons, Jr. Kaylee Kurimoto, Jr. OH Maana Parikh, Jr. Guilia Duva, Jr. Daria Skrzypczak, So. M Kayla Aikens

Outlook: Montville's nine seniors hope to leave a legacy.

ROXBURY

Coach: Alison Roumes, second season

Last season: 15-9

Returning letter-winners: Sr. OH Jenna Heiser, Sr. M Sarah Biczak, Sr. M/OH Bianca Jackson, Sr. L Bella Gill

Newcomers: Jr. O/M Jaelyn Fogg; Jr. OH Alyssa Bukosky

Outlook: With large senior and junior classes, Roxbury should develop quickly.

SPARTA

Coach: Caitlin Jozefczyk, fourth season

Last season: 22-2, 10-0 NJAC-American champion; Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. S/OH Aralyn Saulys, Sr. O Tara Keller, Sr. OH Lea Tsamadias, Sr. M Sylvia Przydzial, Sr. S Giselle Faria, Sr. M Kaitlyn Peterson, Sr. D Maddie Worsley, Sr. D Tessa Goldman, Sr. M Emma Kristiansen; Jr. OH Arielle Gomez; So. OH Arielle Gomez

Outlook: Senior-led Sparta expects more postseason success.

Sparta success! Girls win first Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex soccer, volleyball titles

WEST MORRIS

Coach: Jim Balella, 15th season

Last season: 9-10, 4-6 NJAC-American

Returning letter-winners: Sr. OH Camryn Garlewicz, Jr. OH Elizabeth Murphy, Jr. O Kayla Vecchione, Jr. S Juliana Stingle

Newcomers: Sr. S Quinn Comerford, Sr. Dede Elghazaly, Sr. O Sara Hall, Sr. Sophia Sulpizi, Jr. O Alyvia Conner, Jr. OH Lily Benemerito, So. M Renee Kalinka, So. L Gabby Lis, So. OH Lauren Miller, So. M Kristina Vlezko

Outlook: The young Wolfpack hopes to be more competitive, despite the graduation of five players.

NJAC-National

MORRIS HILLS

Coach: Christina Hobson, 17th season

Last season: 6-18

Returning letter-winners: Jr. S Alexis Kuras

Newcomers: Sr. Elliana Morales, Sr. O Kimberly Gambrell

Outlook: Morris Hills is rebuilding after graduating eight players.

MOUNT OLIVE

Coach: Tom Reszka, fifth season

Last season: 12-10

Returning letter-winners: Sr. OH Mishka Fernandez, Sr. M Demetria Watkins, Sr. S Emily Fusiarz, Jr. L Genessa Baltazar, Jr. O Ava DeMello, Jr. S Samantha Conti, So. M Angelina Keenan

Newcomers: Sr. L/S Loredana Grieco, Jr. M Christine Piccirillo, Jr. M Amaya Delacruz, Jr. L Kiry Fernandez, Jr. O/S Kaitlyn Tungman, Jr. O/OH Keira Abrusci, So. O/OH Madilyn Hazen, So. O/OH Ava Diaz, Fr. OH Izabella Ozoria

Outlook: Veteran Mount Olive expects to challenge for the NJAC-National, Morris County Tournament and Group 3 titles.

PARSIPPANY HILLS

Coach: Vic Lavin, seventh season

Last season: 18-7, 10-2 NJAC-Liberty

Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Anaya Bhargava, Sr. M Adele Kasper, Jr. L Julia Pars, So. S Apoorva Bhargava

Newcomers: So. Juliet Galante, So. Bailey Huang

Outlook: Parsippany Hills is once again relying on an explosive offense.

POPE JOHN

Coach: Tyler Singh, third season

Last season: 9-16

Returning letter-winners: Sr. L Kasey Dugan, Sr. OH Avery Griffin, Sr. O Emily Dyer, Jr. OH Catie Daly, Jr. M Christiana Lipka

Newcomers: Fr. M Casey Carney

Outlook: Pope John hopes to finish over .500 for the first time since 2019.

RANDOLPH

Coach: Sheri Data, seventh season

Last season: 7-13

Returning letter-winners: Sr. OH Belinda Carcamo, Sr. OH Yolanda Sabillon, Sr. Isabella Carreira, Sr. L Caitlin Sciubba, Jr. M Regan Galloway, Jr. S/OH Jazmine Holder, So. S/O Viki Katsanos, So. S/O Klara Hindson

Newcomers: Sr. Orly Freifeld, Jr. OH Kayla Nowlin, Jr. S Ashley Silvestri, So. M/OH Josephine Schiedel, Fr. M Maria Fuentes

Outlook: Randolph has eight returnees, but will be replacing four starters.

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: 2024 Morris/Sussex girls volleyball team-by-team preview capsules