BY JAMIE HAZEL
Sports Editor
The 32-1 girls volleyball team won the 2025 NJSIAA Group IV Tournament for the first time in school history. The Knights beat Williamstown, last year’s champion, in three sets in the semifinals on the way to their 3-2 win over Westfield in the tournament finals.
On November 15, the girls became the first ever female Old Bridge program to win a state championship. They played Westfield at Franklin High School as the underdogs before playing all five sets and stealing the state title. “There is truly no better feeling!” explained junior Ashley Markle, who had 22 kills in the final game. “We worked so hard for this, and I’m so proud of this team and our coaches!”
Starting off strong, Old Bridge won the first set 33-31. The game went back and forth; Westfield won the second set 21-25. The Knights won the third set 25-17, and Westfield won the fourth 16-25. “I was definitely nervous and exhausted, but, more than anything, I was excited,” said Maya Lupinski, explaining the surreal feeling going into the final set. “All we had to do was push one more final time and play Old Bridge volleyball to win the whole thing.”
Going into the decisive fifth set, senior Weronika Malinowski gave the team a pep talk, which clearly worked. The girls came out strong to secure a 25-16 win. “There truly wasn’t a better way to end my high school volleyball career than making history,” explained Malinowski, who had the winning kill to finish the game. “I may have scored the last point, but I wouldn’t have had that opportunity if it wasn’t for my teammates. The work and determination that the team showed in the 5th set and the entire game gave me the chance to score.”
The whole town celebrated! Buses, fans, and firetrucks formed a parade going back to OBHS. Markle described it as a “dream come true!”
Just four days prior, the girls defeated Williamstown, the team responsible for the Knights’ lone loss previously this season and who knocked Old Bridge out of the state tournament in the semifinal match last season, 3-0. The girls got their revenge. “Williamstown handed us our only loss of the season, but that didn’t define us. Instead, we knew that if we wanted the season to continue, we would have to work harder than ever before,” said Malinowski. “After a few points, the nerves turned into excitement and eagerness to play.”
The semifinal win gave the girls the motivation they needed to win the entire tournament. Winning from the position of the underdogs proved they could do anything. “The whole game was incredible, and, as a team, we clicked and were able to play the best volleyball we have ever played,” said Lupinski. “I would say that the entire semis game was the highlight of my season.”
The sets finished 25-21, 26-24, and 25-19. “We had great momentum and were playing so free. And then when we got the last point and the realization hit that we were going to the finals was so amazing!” said Markle.
Sophomore Jannah Khalil, the team’s libero, contributed with 17 digs, and Malinowski added 22. “I dug a really hard ball and then covered a really hard block. I didn’t even think; I just stuck my arm out and got it up somehow,” explained Khalil.
The girls ended their successful season in the best way. “I just loved getting to win such a big game with my best friends because it means so much to all of us,” said Markle.
Jannah Khalil and Weronika Malinowski celebrate their success after scoring a point. 
Junior Maya Lupinski, who has 776 assists, gets low and bounces herself the ball prior to her serve. 
Libero Jannah Khalil gets her hands and body position ready to hit the ball while keeping her eyes on it. 
Junior Ashley Markle, who leads the team in both kills with 405 and service points with 258, jumps in the air to serve the ball.
Posted on November 25, 2025
Photos by Camille Johnson and Catherine Shapiro
Knight Life 