This fall season, yet again, the girls varsity volleyball team was back in states. On November 8,  they played in the sectional finals against Jonathan Dayton High School.  In the end,  the Pioneers lost two of the sets with scores of 13:25 for the first and 18:25 for the second.  Although they didn’t win, the game marked the end of yet another very successful season. 

Ms. Finis has been coaching the girls varsity team for five years. Each of those five years the girls have gone to states.

“Being in states means that you are competing in the state tournament, so it goes by sections of New Jersey. There are different sections:  North, Central and South.  And there are different groups within those sections. There’s groups 1, 2, 3 and 4. We are currently placed in Central one Group one. And in states we have to compete and win our section. Then from this section we go on to play the other winners of other sections to find the state champion of New Jersey,” said Finis.

The loss was tough, but the future is bright for the team, and for the graduating players.

Co-captain Olivia Catalano, who is in her last year in NPHS, said: “I’m a little upset. Senior night was rough because I created such a good bond with the girls on the team. I’ve been playing with them four four years. It’s tough leaving it behind, but I’m excited to see what comes next.”