State Champions 3-Peat!

Posted byknightlifeobPosted inSportsTags:, , , , , , , , ,
Jonah Pagulayan, who led the team with 596 assists, sets the ball for Alexander Kozikowski, who had 228 kills and led the team with 38 aces.

BY LISA TOOLEY

The boys volleyball team beat rival Monroe in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV Finals before defeating Union in the NJSIAA Group IV Finals. The team finished the challenging season with a record of 27-6.

On June 10, the boys won the NJSIAA Group IV State Championship for the third consecutive year. “The highlight of the season was winning the State Championships because it is a great way to end my high school career,” said senior Oskar Lapinski, who had 763 career kills.

Although the team lost against Monroe in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament, they got revenge in the NJSIAA South Jersey State Finals. “It felt great beating Monroe, especially after losing to them in the GMC Finals,” said senior Alexander Kozikowski, who finished the season with 67 blocks.

After the Knights won the first set, Monroe proved to be a tough opponent, coming back strong to win the second set. Old Bridge won the third set and closed out the match with a 25-21 victory in the fourth. “The team worked so hard all year and it was amazing watching it pay off in the end,” said senior Michael Santangelo, who led the game with 12 kills.

Senior Michael Santangelo, who had 24 blocks and 200 kills, jumps to win a joust against his opponent.

To open the season, the team represented New Jersey and placed sixth out of 32 teams in a national tournament in Texas. “Being able to compete against teams from across the country showed how far our program has come,” said Akintoyese Oyebode, who totaled 60 blocks.

On May 2, the team lost against Piscataway, and two days later, they beat their rivals, Southern in a close 5-set game, winning the last set 15-7 to secure the win. “We were looking forward to that game for a while and came prepared to do everything we could which led to our win.” said junior Jonah Pagulayan, who had 597 assists this season.

Freshman Jack Agular, who had 409 assists this season, serves the ball.

The team entered the season with few experienced players, and the one returning senior starter, Oskar Lapinski, faced an injury in the middle of the season. “We have had a tough time this season, so I’m looking for the highlight to be when I have a ring on my finger from States,” said junior Brandon Mullins, who had 186 digs.

The team looks forward to striving for 4-peat next year. “We grew because we all have a goal in becoming state champions again,” said Pagulayan.

  • Senior Oskar Lapinski, who led the team with 248 kills, tools the block of his opponent.
  • Junior Brandon Mullins, who had 30 aces this season, jumps to serve the ball.

Photos by Laila Mohamed-Ali and Safija Shatku

Posted on June 18, 2026