The Caldwell Girls Varsity Volleyball team is currently 1-13 in the 2024-2025 season. The team consists of four seniors, one junior, five sophomores, and two freshmen, all led by head coach Rachel Kelly. The five seniors have fought long and hard since being freshmen in 2021, and they finally made it to their last year on Caldwell Volleyball. This season has been a hard one for this team, but the seniors are giving it their all for their final season.
Photo Courtesy of Gia Topolewski
One of the senior Captains, Sophia Basile, is a well-versed volleyball player as she has played with Caldwell Volleyball 3 of her 4 years at James Caldwell High School. She is the team’s starting all-around outside hitter. Sophia shared her thoughts on this season:
“It’s meant a lot to me so far. This is my senior season, so this is my last year playing for Caldwell Volleyball, and it means a lot. It’s a lot of fun playing with all the girls, and it’s sad to think this is the last year I’ll be wearing blue. And you know, I gotta just leave it all on the court.”
Ten years from now, Sophia will undoubtedly look back on CVB as a positive experience, no matter the record or numbers on the sheets. Sophia is already leading the team with 86 kills, along with 1 block, 32 digs, 6 assists, and 15 aces.
Fellow senior Captain, Brooke Figlyar, has been playing volleyball for 4 years, all of them being with Caldwell. Brooke started playing as a DS (defensive specialist) and has continued in that role for all 4 years. This season has been fun, yet stressful for Brooke. Her goal this season is for Caldwell Volleyball to continue improving as a team. From Brooke’s experience playing on the CVB teams, 10 years from now, she will remember: “The friends I made along the way and all the scars I have on my body.” Brooke currently has 39 digs and 2 assists, with only being halfway through the volleyball season.
The third varsity senior Captain, Erica Gustavsen, has been in the Caldwell Volleyball Organization for 4 years and has been playing since she was in 5th grade. Erica came into volleyball as an outside hitter, then transitioned to a middle hitter/blocker, and now is currently finishing her season playing as an all around right side hitter and setter. To Erica, making connections in volleyball is very important. It helps build relationships on and off the court. Reflecting of her time with the team, Erica said: “I love my teammates so much and am so glad I met them through this sport. I love spending time with them in and out of practices and games. Volleyball has given me an opportunity to make amazing connections I wouldn’t have made otherwise.”
When looking back on her volleyball career, Erica will remember how much volleyball helped to improve her character and leadership skills to help her grow as an individual. Erica is leading the varsity volleyball team with 60 assists, as well as having 22 kills, 2 blocks, 22 digs, and 7 aces.
Senior Riley Mazepa is a middle hitter who has been with CVB for 4 years, and has been playing volleyball for 5-6 years. For this season, Riley hopes to achieve her goal of getting over 20 stuff blocks. When reflecting on this season so far, here’s what Riley has to say:
“So far, this season has taught us a lot about grit and not giving up.”
Riley has 9 kills, 9 blocks, 4 digs, 3 assists, and 10 aces to start off the 2024-25 season.
The final senior for the 2024-2025 season is Abigail Mautone. Abby has been playing volleyball for 6 years and has been with CVB her whole high school career as a DS. This being her senior season means a lot as it’s her final season playing volleyball. Abby has a goal for this season:
“I want to be a role model for the new girls that are on the team and inspire them to keep playing.”
Abby has always looked up to the seniors from previous years on CVB who have inspired her to keep growing, and now as a senior, she wants to do the same. 10 years from now, Abby will remember the friends she made through this organization and the support system it has provided.
Abigail currently has 1 dig for the 2024-2025 season.
The varsity team has a lot of young talent despite the talented seniors. Sophomore Sara Lopes is the only libero for the varsity team, leading with 84 digs, as well as 4 kills, 5 assists, and 34 aces. This team also has sophomore setter Gianna Bravette, who has second overall assists with 44. Freshman Ava Geraci has only played 12 sets and already has 13 digs.
The Caldwell Girls Volleyball team has a tough finish for the remainder of October. They have their annual Dig Pink game, in honor of breast cancer awareness month on October 9th against Clifton. They also have their Senior Night on October 10th against American History in Newark. They finish off their regular season with a game against Cedar Grove on October 29th.
