Old Tappan outlasts Immaculate Heart to repeat as Bergen County girls volleyball champ

Photo Credits: High School Sports Elite

OLD TAPPAN — The best girls volleyball rivalry in North Jersey experienced some extra drama this season.

Old Tappan and Immaculate Heart met in the Bergen County championship final for the third year in a row, having each won a title in the last two. The added twist came from the tournament’s change to best-of-5 format this fall.

The No. 2 seed Golden Knights overcame a six-point deficit late in the third set to defeat No. 9 IHA, 25-17, 24-26, 26-24, 25-19, and defend their crown in the Old Tappan South Gym on Saturday, Nov. 1.

In the best-of-3 format, the Blue Eagles would have been on the verge of a championship after winning the second set and taking a 21-15 lead in the third.

Instead, Old Tappan (17-4) calmly regrouped, and senior Julia Whaley delivered five kills in a game-ending, 11-3 run to help swing the advantage to her team.

“We know that one kill is not going to get you three points,” Whaley said. “So our focus became, don’t look at the score... don’t let past mistakes affect our momentum at all.”

What it means

The Golden Knights secured their seventh Bergen County title all-time, the fourth-most behind Paramus (11), Demarest and IHA (9 each).

The Blue Eagles (19-5) and Old Tappan have been to more championship finals than any other schools with 17 and 16 appearances, respectively.

This year brought about the first best-of-5 final since 2003, when Pascack Valley bested Demarest, 3-2.

The big-picture comeback

Old Tappan graduated several stars from the 2024 county-title team that went on to finish 25-0. Back-to-back losses followed a 4-0 start this fall, as coach Melissa Landeck had to navigate numerous early-season injuries.

“We started the year without three starters, and at one point, we were down four starters,” said Landeck, whose team has used 12 different starting lineups. “So, we had a lot of work to do to compete in September with younger kids doing an outstanding job pitching in.

“Then, we had to work on jelling as kids came back, so this has not been an easy road, by any means.”

Key sequence

IHA jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the fourth set and had it tied at 6-6 before the Golden Knights took command. Opposite Eva Curko, one of the players who missed time earlier in the year, had a pair of kills during a 9-2 run that she punctuated with an ace.

“When we were down, it’s really easy to get sucked into the negative emotions,” Curko said. “But as a team, we did a really good job of staying positive on the court, keeping our energy up… and playing for each other.

“That’s ultimately what helped us succeed.”

Game balls

► Whaley (18 kills, 23 digs) and Curko (7 kills, 7 digs, 3 blocks), both seniors from Norwood, led the Old Tappan attack along with junior Bianca Benasillo (14 kills).

► Golden Knights setter Joley Giordano put up 40 assists, including a pass to senior Gabriela Paltag for the championship point.

Source Link: https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/girls-volleyball/2025/11/01/old-tappan-nj-girls-volleyball-tops-iha-repeat-as-bergen-county-champ/86964217007/

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.