Old Tappan Advances to Sectional Finals with Win Over Pascack Valley; Still Undefeated

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Entering Saturday’s North Jersey Section 1, Group 2 semifinal match of the NJSIAA Playoffs at Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, the top-seeded Golden Knights boasted as impressive a resume as any program in the Garden State. Ranked No. 4 in the NJ.com Top 20, Old Tappan rolled into the semifinals with an undefeated record and only one set loss in 2024. Opposing Old Tappan on Saturday was the one team to take a set from it this season in fourth-seeded Pascack Valley. It was a hard-fought, back and forth match between two of North Jersey‘s top teams, but Old Tappan (22-0) did just a bit more to prevail in straight sets by set scores of 25-21 and 26-24. Old Tappan’s victory sets it on a collision course with second-seeded, eight-ranked Sparta, who defeated sixth-seeded Demarest in straight sets to set up a sectional final clash in Old Tappan on Tuesday. As divisional rivals in the Big North conference National Division, Old Tappan and Pascack Valley had met twice during the regular season. Old Tappan head coach Melissa Landeck highlighted the stiff divisional competition her team battled en route to the playoffs and how the her players have elevated their game against that competition.

“We‘re familiar foes. Same conference, same league, and I think our division is arguably the toughest,” Landeck said of the division that produced three of the four N1G2 semifinal participants. “Both teams competed today and that‘s what you want at this level of the state tournament. This was our third meeting of the season so it’s a testament to our league.” Old Tappan‘s formula rung off 21 consecutive wins since opening night in September, and it was more of the same for win #22. Senior Addison Gioffre played her part as setter by racking up 28 assists on the day, and Old Tappan’s top hitters did the rest.

Senior Samantha Kranzler recorded a game-high 16 kills while juniors Eva Curko and Julia Whaley chipped in with seven and six kills respectively, and the trio combined for five blocks in dominant efforts at the net both offensively and defensively. Kranzler and Curko knew that if any team was going to push Old Tappan to its limit, it would be the only one that had won a set against it during the season, and both players highlighted the challenges the third match with Pascack Valley presented. “It’s always hard playing a team three times,” Kranzler said. “They’re the only team that had taken a set from us so we knew they were going to come in confident. For us, it was just about practicing hard yesterday, sticking to our game plan, and focusing on ourselves as a team and not worrying about anyone around us.” Curko added on to Kranzler’s comments by detailing how Old Tappan has managed the high-pressure situations it has faced throughout the season. The ever present “0″ in the loss column can weigh on players if it’s thought about too much, and Curko detailed the approach that has helped her and her teammates remain level-headed in the midst of an undefeated season thus far. “It’s about playing one game at a time and staying focused throughout the whole game,” Curko said. “Being confident in ourselves is part of our game plan and that’s how we play the whole time.”

With a team full of players brimming with confidence and the talent to back it up, Landeck had plenty to say about the top performers that have Old Tappan one win away from a sectional title. “They‘re a quality program, very well coached. It‘s always a tough game so we’ll be doing our homework on them to get ready to show up on Tuesday and compete,” Landeck said. “We respect every opponent and what’s going to be vital for that game is practicing and playing our hardest,” Curko added. “Both side of the net are going to be playing outstanding volleyball and we’ll have to focus on ourselves at the end of the day.”

Pascack Valley concludes its 2024 campaign with a 17-7 record, improving on the team’s 15-8 showing in 2023. For second year head coach Kaitlin Mac Iver, the 2024 campaign served as a strong step forward for her program. Both improving on the regular season record as well as qualifying for the sectional semifinals after falling in the quarterfinals last season, Mac Iver sees the 2024 group as one that did everything asked of it and played as well as she could have asked. “I came in last year and the kids have bought into the system, and I‘ve told them since day one that we’re all in it together,” Mac Iver said.

“Samantha was outstanding today. She took some big swings for us and was everything you want from a senior leader,” Landeck said of her team’s top hitter. “She saw the court well, she mixed her shot to keep the defense on their toes, and I can‘t say enough about her passing and defense. She really is the whole package. Eva took some big swings for us today as well, she‘s another tough one to defend. Addison always knows when to find the fight hands, she’s a very smart setter.” Smart setters putting big swingers in position for hits is the simple yet effective formula that‘s left Old Tappan’s record unblemished through 22 matches. The toughest test of the season still looms for the Golden Knights however.

Old Tappan and Sparta last squared off in the 2022 sectional semifinals, a straight set victory for Sparta en route to its Group 2 championship that season. Old Tappan will look to flip the script in the rematch, but it knows the challenge that lies ahead. “On the back of our shirts it says ‘I Am Because We Are’ and they‘ve really bought into the mentality of everyone making an impact. Whether it‘s on the court or off the court they came to work every single day since last year for me. They put in the work and they get along great with each other and I’m so grateful to never have any drama. They respect each other, they respect the game, they respect me, and they worked really really hard.” Although three Pascack Valley seniors will graduate, Mac Iver highlighted the dozen returning players that will remain and look to continue the program’s ascension when play begins in 2025.

Source Link: https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2024/11/girls-volleyball-no-4-old-tappan-edges-pascack-valley-to-secure-n1g2-final-berth.html

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Sectional Champs: Old Tappan Rallies Late to Capture North 1 Group 3 Title

Mar 07, 2026

Old Tappan captured the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 championship with a 54 to 45 win over Teaneck, finishing a strong late season surge that started with a challenge from head coach Brian Dunn. Twenty three days earlier, after a loss to Teaneck, Dunn asked his team a direct question. Accept a solid season or push for more. The Golden Knights responded with eight straight wins, including postseason victories over teams that defeated them during the regular season. Old Tappan delivered its biggest response in the sectional final. Teaneck led most of the second half behind a strong performance from Lexi Carnegie, who finished with 23 points. The Highwaywomen built a five point lead entering the fourth quarter and held a 40 to 35 advantage late in the game. Old Tappan flipped the momentum with a decisive 19 to 1 run over the final four minutes. Nina Caunedo ignited the comeback with a three pointer with 4:42 remaining to cut the deficit to three. Alexa Caunedo followed with a basket to bring Old Tappan within one. Alivia Badurina then delivered one of the biggest shots of the night. Her corner three pointer gave the Golden Knights a 42 to 41 lead and shifted the energy fully to the Old Tappan bench. From there Old Tappan controlled the closing minutes at the free throw line. Senior Sienna Drullinsky led the way with a dominant performance of 23 points and 10 rebounds. She carried much of the scoring load early with 18 points through the first three quarters to keep Old Tappan within striking distance. Alexa Caunedo added 12 points while Nina Caunedo finished with 11 points and three three pointers. Badurina chipped in five points including the momentum changing three. Mauimi Quiros added two points at the foul line while Sadie Murphy contributed a free throw during the win. Joley Giordano also saw time on the floor as Old Tappan used contributions across the lineup during the championship run. Teaneck stayed competitive behind Carnegie and Aniya Celestin, who recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds. Old Tappan improved to 22 and 6 with the victory. The Golden Knights won three straight road games to claim the sectional title, their first since 2018, and now advance to face Chatham in the Group 3 state semifinals in Elizabeth.

Old Tappan Proves Prediction Wrong, Upsets No. 10 Demarest in Sectional Semifinals

Mar 04, 2026

Many expected another tight battle when sixth seeded Northern Valley Old Tappan High School Girls Basketball Team faced second seeded Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest for the third time this season in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 semifinals. Demarest entered ranked No. 10 in the NJ.com Top 20 and had already beaten Old Tappan twice during the regular season in narrow games, 38-37 and 43-40. The Norsemen also carried strong momentum after winning the Bergen County Tournament championship and taking 22 of their previous 23 games. This time, Old Tappan flipped the result. The Golden Knights produced a dominant defensive performance and stunned Demarest 45-37 Wednesday night in Demarest. Old Tappan’s defense controlled the game from the start. The Golden Knights pressured the ball, contested shooters, and forced Demarest into difficult possessions throughout the night. The effort held the Norsemen to season lows in several statistical categories and limited one of North Jersey’s most consistent offenses to a season low, 37 points. Head coach Brian Dunn made key adjustments in the game plan entering the third meeting between the rivals. After two close losses earlier in the season, Dunn and his staff focused on limiting the areas where Demarest had found success in those matchups. The defensive changes disrupted Demarest’s rhythm and prevented the Norsemen from establishing their usual offensive flow. Sienna Drullinsky led the Golden Knights with 20 points, knocking down seven field goals and six free throws. Alexa Caunedo added 14 points with seven baskets to give Old Tappan a strong scoring duo. Old Tappan received contributions across the lineup. Sadie Murphy finished with 5 points, while Alivia Badurina and Mauimi Quiros each scored 3 points, with Quiros hitting the team’s lone three pointer. Other players who saw action included Nina Caunedo, Christina D'Andrea, and Joley Giordano, who contributed valuable minutes and helped maintain the team’s defensive pressure throughout the game. Demarest received balanced scoring despite the loss. Deana Finkelstein led the Norsemen with 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Ella Peck and Zoe Wasserlauf each scored 9 points, while senior Gabriella Mittelman added 5 points and four assists. The win improved Old Tappan to 21-6 and extended the team’s winning streak to seven games. Demarest finished the season 24-4. Old Tappan now advances to the sectional championship against Teaneck High School. The Golden Knights seek their first sectional title since 2018, after proving that beating a strong team three times in one season is rarely easy.

Old Tappan Powers Into Semifinals, Set for Showdown at Demarest

Mar 02, 2026

Alivia Badurina delivered a breakout performance and kept Old Tappan in control from start to finish. She scored 19 points and buried five three pointers. Each time Sparta tried to respond, Badurina answered. Her shot making stretched the floor and gave the Knights steady separation all night.Old Tappan jumped out to a 20 to 9 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. The defense locked in early and held Sparta to 15 first half points. In the third quarter, the Knights outscored Sparta 19 to 6 to put the game out of reach.Sienna Drullinsky added 16 points in the paint and Alexa Caunedo finished with 14 points, attacking the basket and finishing strong. Sadie Murphy chipped in a three pointer.Mauimi Quiros, Nina Caunedo, Farrah Ibrahim, Christina D’Andrea, Katie Degennaro, and Joley Giordano all saw time as Old Tappan improved to 20 and 6.Behind Badurina’s breakout night and a suffocating defensive effort, the Golden Knights controlled the tempo and secured their spot in the next round.2026 NJSIAA Girls Basketball North JerseySection 1, Group 3 Quarterfinal ResultsRamapo 51, West Essex 38.Teaneck 68, River Dell 49.Old Tappan 54, Sparta 30.Demarest 54, Northern Highlands 46.Old Tappan has built momentum. The Knights beat Paramus by 35, then followed with a 24 point win over Sparta. In two tournament games, they have allowed only 50 total points. Defense travels in March.Semifinal Matchups, March 4Ramapo vs Teaneck at Ramapo.Old Tappan vs Demarest at Demarest, 5:00 pm.Old Tappan faces a major test against the second seed. Demarest advanced with disciplined half court execution and strong rebounding.The final is scheduled for March 7. One win puts Old Tappan in the sectional championship.