Three Jefferson players pummel eight kills each to advance to 1st sectional final

The 2024 Jefferson volleyball team has taken its program to new heights.

Coming into the fall, the Falcons had never reached a sectional championship game, although its past squads saw consistent success.

This season's Falcons have competed at an elevated level, and on Friday in Park Ridge, this program was able to check an accomplishment off of the list.

In the NJSIAA North Jersey 1, Group 1 semifinals affair against second-seeded Park Ridge, the third-seeded Falcons found three players to muscle eight kills apiece.

En route to a straight-set road win, Jefferson's Peyton Bradley, Carsyn Giessuebel, and Scarlett Melick combined for two dozen kills to maneuver the Falcons to a 25-16, 25-21 win, sending their school to a sectional championship for the first time ever.

"We are all shaking with excitement. This is already the furthest any Jefferson team has ever gone; we are just so pumped," Jefferson head coach Gino Rose said.

It was a booming atmosphere in Park Ridge's gym, which blended perfectly with the high-octane play on the hardwood. Each team was riding a sizable winning streak of seven (Park Ridge) and six (Jefferson) straight matches.

Neither team was willing to let up, but Jefferson's will to put the ball away came from deep within. Melick wasn't walking off the court with a loss; it just wasn't acceptable in her mind.

"Since the state tournament started, my mentality has been that I need to be all or nothing out there," Melick said. "I think the rest of our team plays the same way. It was electric."

Melick's eight kills put her over 200 for the season.

Giessuebel strung together a milestone day. She surpassed 400 kills for her career, all while setting the new single-season Jefferson record with 78 aces, which happened in the first set to give her team a 20-13 lead immediately out of a timeout.

While accolades are great, Giessuebel, a senior, is more pleased with nabbing the win, which she's wanted since playing on the varsity team.

"I was running on adrenaline all game. We wanted to win so bad," Giessuebel said. "I was super confident in our team coming into this game, but also for the season. We wanted to make the finals, and we worked for it."

Bradley's eight kills came during clutch moments. She slammed a kill for Jefferson's 24th point of the first set, following by a set-winning block to seal a frame win.

She also corralled the 24th point of the second set on a kill.

"Peyton is so smart. Her IQ is impressive for a sophomore and she can put the ball away on every swing," Melick said.

Jefferson (23-5) has seen an expedited flow of success thanks to senior setter Aleah Woelfel. Once she adjusted to handing out more quick sets earlier this fall, the Falcons were a force on offense.

She totaled 23 assists on Friday, giving her over 570 for the season as one of the state's most accurate passers.

"Aleah is a phenomenal setter. She has done everything we've ever asked of her, and she has grown to be an all-around unbelievable player," Rose said.

Charlotte Sinisgalli flared a season-high four aces in the semifinals win, including three in a row in the opening set to go from trailing, 5-3, to leading with a 6-5 score. Once she secured the third consecutive ace, Jefferson's energy erupted to set the tone for the remainder of the day.

"We just kept telling each other to take a deep breath whenever we can," Melick said. "This game had so much intensity, and our adrenaline was through the roof."

Defense was as important as ever on Friday as Jefferson opposed the state's leading scorer in kills this season. Mia Izzo recently eclipsed 900 career kills, which includes over 400 this year.

It was imperative of Jefferson to slow her down, and although she tacked on 10 kills, the Falcons managed to keep pace with Izzo's power thanks to a poised Kylie Plunkett reviving several rallies.

Plunkett totaled seven digs, surpassing 450 for her career.

Jefferson will oppose top-seeded Glen Rock for the N1G1 trophy on Tuesday, Nov. 12.