Old Tappan Girls Volleyball Sectional Champs; Still Undefeated

Photo Credits:

Tuesday night’s championship match had everything on the line for a pair of teams bulldozing through the competition like freight trains this season.

Top-seeded Old Tappan, champions of the Bergen County Tournament, hosted second-seeded Sparta, winners of the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament, in one of the most talent-filled contests this season.

It’s rare for a pair of county champs to meet in the NJSIAA sectional tournament finals, but these teams have shown a tremendous level of resiliency in 2024.

Not only were these units vying for the N1G2 sectional crown, but to keep their respective winning streaks alive.

Going into Nov. 12, Old Tappan held the longest streak in New Jersey with 22 wins, opposing their zero losses.

The second-longest streak in the state belonged to, you guessed it, Sparta. The Spartans began the year with a 1-2 record, but came into Tuesday’s title bout with 19 consecutive wins.

The pressure was immense on both ends of the hardwood, but the coaching, the talent, and the grit displayed all season lived on in the championship.

For the first time since 2021 and the 10th time in program history, Old Tappan has won a state sectional. Addison Gioffre was the ultimate conductor, orchestrating 23 assists to find five different players for a kill in the 25-13, 25-19 tally.

“We served and passed so well today,” Old Tappan head coach Melissa Landeck said. “Whenever we have that going, everything else falls in nicely for us.”

The Golden Knights (23-0) jutted out to an early 3-0 lead in the opening set, then all of a sudden, had an 8-2 cushion behind kills from Samantha Kranzler, Eva Curko, and Julia Whaley.

Old Tappan never appeared to be out of system on Tuesday, mainly behind the juggernaut’s mental approach. When a team is still undefeated this late into a campaign, it can start to weigh heavily on a squad.

Rather than look at each match through a microscope and try to dissect every uncontrollable piece of a volleyball match, Landeck and Co. are able to contain the external pressure.

“The key to staying calm in an undefeated season is to not overthink what the other team is doing. We’re all about focusing on our side of the net and reminding ourselves that we are a good team and can win on our own,” Landeck said.

“Once we remember that, our girls can do amazing things.”

Old Tappan has lost one set all season long. They have rumbled through their schedule, donning the top seed in each of the Bergen County and N1G2 tournaments.

Though it‘s a milestone in itself to call yourselves champions of the BCT, Old Tappan’s hunger to win never dissolved.

“It‘s tough putting aside the record we have and winning the Bergen County Tournament. It‘s very easy to focus on that and think that no more hard work needs to be put in, but that’s not Old Tappan volleyball,” Kranzler said. “We have worked hard every day to continue winning and cherishing being on the court in these big games.”

Kranzler, a senior, nabbed six kills on Tuesday, including the match-winner.

The Golden Knights’ juniors also prevailed on Tuesday. Playing like a group of veterans, Eva Curko and Julia Whaley found their spots all night at the net, logging nine and eight kills, respectively.

Whaley secured the final two points of the opening set behind two spikes and Curko punched OT’s 21st and 22nd points of the same frame.

“This entire season been super fun. These seniors are role models to us, so to take the court with them and win means everything,” Whaley said.

Bianca Benasillo and Gabriela Paltag contributed one kill each and Jamie Kim rallied for eight digs and an ace. Desi Malafis ripped two digs, too.

Old Tappan‘s last sectional title came in 2021, which was the current senior class’ freshman campaign.

It has been a rollercoaster ride for Krazler, Gioffre, Kim, and Brenna Delaney, but these seniors are able to go out on top, just as they saw their role models do in 2021.

“This senior class is so special. We definitely left our mark, but we have two more games to continue this amazing run,” Kranzler said.

Old Tappan will face Lyndhurst - the N2G2 champions - in the Group 2 state semifinals on Thursday in Old Tappan.

Full Sectional Bracket

Winning Point on X

Source Link: https://highschoolsports.nj.com/game/965100

Athlete's Latest Article

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.