Old Tappan’s undefeated dream season continues as he takes home his first Bergen title since 2019

Winning the BCWCA Bergen County Tournament is a top priority for Old Tappan. While winning a championship in all of New Jersey is one of the toughest challenges, the Golden Knights are among the perennial contenders, especially over the past fifteen years.

On Saturday, November 2, the No. 6 ranked Golden Knights faced a familiar foe at No. 10 Immaculate Heart in Old Tappan.

IHA has knocked Old Tappan out of the tournament two years in a row, including the 2023 championship bout. In an effort to cement their legacy with the North Jersey juggernaut, the OT senior class wouldn’t leave their home gym without a provincial title on their name.

Old Tappan was unmistakable in front of his own audience.

Senior setter Addison Gioffre orchestrated 28 assists and found five different players for multiple kills – adding two of her own – to compete with an IHA defense with a steel curtain.

Her crucial decision making carried the energy as Old Tappan marched to their first Bergen County championship since 2019 and sixth overall in a 25-16, 25-22 count to improve to 20-0 as the only team in the Garden State without a loss . this season.

“Every practice this season we thought about this win and this game,” Old Tappan senior libero Jamie Kim said. “Since our first year we had the idea to be at the top. There is so much pride when we put on this uniform, so we are happy to get the job done.”

This Old Tappan senior class has never beaten IHA, but knew Saturday’s match would be in favor if they went on a tone-setting run.

“These girls believe in our process every day. They are prepared for whatever comes their way, so winning this match shows how special this group really is,” said Old Tappan head coach Melissa Landeck.

“They were very calm early in the first set, which was a good sign that they were starting to play within themselves.”

Senior outside hitter Samantha Kranzler had a kill to make it 3-2 Old Tappan in the opening frame, marking the 600th kill of her career.

With the milestone in sight, Old Tappan continued to increase their lead, eventually reading 16-9 and then 22-12 scores on the board behind each player’s valued contribution.

“Winning the district tournament was No. 1 on everyone’s list, regardless of individual milestones. I’m glad we can cross that out,” Kranzler said. “This provincial trophy is what we have all worked for.”

Six different players recorded a kill in the opening set, led by Eva Curko’s four. The junior left-hander had seven kills in the match, including the game-winning run that sent the Golden Knights into a frenzy in the middle of the court.

Julia Whaley racked up six kills and a block, while Bianca Benasillo and Gabriela Paltag each generated a trio of kills.

“We’re just beyond excited about how we all competed. Every player wanted so badly to win this particular game,” Gioffre said.

Gioffre recorded two dump kills on Saturday, giving her three multi-kill appearances in 2024 in addition to 442 assists.

They, like many of the other Golden Knights, were once elementary school students in the Old Tappan neighborhood, waiting for their moment to play for Landeck and be part of the Golden Knights’ winning history.

Saturday’s win is everything Gioffre and her teammates ever wanted.

“There’s a video of me and my dad sitting in the stands when Old Tappan won the title in 2019. So to go from that little girl watching in the stands to being part of this legendary team means the world to me” , says Gioffre. said.

The second set was a little more exciting. IHA (22-4) and Old Tappan traded 11 separate ties before Kranzler and Gioffre each scored a kill to make it a 17-15 lead. Kranzler led the team with six kills in the final set and now has 227 on the year.

“Sam stands up for us time and time again. Most importantly, she is a great teammate, but her career here is one of the best we have seen at Old Tappan,” Landeck said.

Curko, highlighting her own stardom, unleashed three kills in the final moments to give OT their 22nd, 24th and 25th points of the final frame. She has 90 kills by 2024.

To achieve flawless results over twenty matches, each player and coach must execute their game plan. Landeck and Co. have come up with the perfect formula to get to this point, but they know there’s more at stake.

The Golden Knights enter the NJSIAA state tournament as the No. 1 seed in the North 1, Group 2 bracket.

N1G2 is one of the deepest sections of the twenty in New Jersey, but Old Tappan is visibly primed for a deep run.

They’ll enjoy the Bergen County crown, but won’t take their eyes off the prize of a section and state title. Both are within easy reach.

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PJ Potter can be reached at [email protected].