Immaculate Heart is the Girls Volleyball Team of the Year, 2022-23
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Immaculate Heart celebrates with the trophy after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart celebrates with the trophy after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart celebrates after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart poses for a team photo after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate HeartÕs Emily Sabino (14) and Kahlia Content (19) celebrate after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart celebrates with the trophy after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Paul VI head coach Dan Chung watches action late in the third set during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Kahlia Content (19) of Immaculate Heart with a kill past ChiChi Ottih (38) and Kailyn Greene-Gordon (26) of Paul VI during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Paris Lott (4) of Paul VI with a kill in the second set during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart celebrates a point in the third set during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Abby Romero (11) of Immaculate Heart hugs head coach Maria Nolan after the Eagles won the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Emily Ezeiruaku (23) of Paul VI makes a diving save during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Grace Coughlin (3) of Immaculate Heart with a kill late in the third set during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart fans cheer on the Blue Eagles late in the third set during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart celebrates as head coach Maria Nolan hands her players the trophy after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart celebrates after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart celebrates after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Kahlia Content (19), Bryana Saenz (6), and Brookelyn Talmadge (17) of Immaculate Heart celebrate after winning during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart head coach Maria Nolan celebrates with her team after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart celebrates after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart head coach Maria Nolan accepts the trophy from NJSIAA assistant director Derryk Sellers as she gives it to her team after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Paul VI fans cheer on the Eagles late in the third set during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart celebrates with the trophy after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Kahlia Content (19), Bryana Saenz (6), and Brookelyn Talmadge (17) of Immaculate Heart celebrate after winning during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Bryana Saenz (6) of Immaculate Heart smiles before a serve during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Kalena Stavish (22) of Immaculate Heart serves during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Kassadi Avent (8) of Paul VI tries for a block during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Kailyn Greene-Gordon (26) of Paul VI bumps the ball back during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Immaculate Heart celebrates a point in the first set during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Meggan Bischoff (18) of Paul VI with a bump set during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Brookelyn Talmadge (17) of Immaculate Heartputs a shot past Paris Lott (4) of Paul VI during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Paris Lott (4) of Paul VI with a stuff block during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Brookelyn Talmadge (17) of Immaculate Heart with a kill past Emily Ezeiruaku (23) and Zharia Harris-Waddy (29) of Paul VI during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Kassadi Avent (8) and Paris Lott (4) of Paul VI try to block a shot from Brookelyn Talmadge (17) of Immaculate Heart during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Paris Lott (4) of Paul VI with a kill over Kahlia Content (19) and Julia Sobilo (9) of Immaculate Heart during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Kalena Stavish (22) of Immaculate Heart tries to block a shot from Paris Lott (4) of Paul VI during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Paul VI head coach Dan Chung during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Paul VI celebrates a point after a stuff by Zharia Harris-Waddy (29) during the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
The 2022 season for Immaculate Heart was all about returning to their dominant ways.
Falling to Bogota in the Bergen County quarterfinals last year, followed by a defeat in the Non-Public A championship against Paul VI, IHA had their eyes set on returning to the top.
It wouldn’t be easy, but having a roster loaded with talent, drive and chemistry that continued to improve, Immaculate Heart found themselves facing the same teams in the biggest moments.
This time around, Immaculate Heart notched the victories and took home the Bergen County trophy in a finals matchup vs. Bogota, as well as the Non-Public A banner in a three-set thriller against Paul VI.
The Blue Eagles left no doubt as to which team was the best this fall. Finishing their campaign with a 29-1 record, Immaculate Heart is the 2022 Girls Volleyball Team of the Year.
“We talked with the seniors and team about how they wanted to be remembered. The girls set their sights on winning a state title to avenge last year’s loss and for their legacy to be ‘the team that rebounded.’ This 2022 team will go down as one of the best teams in IHA history, being undefeated in New Jersey,” Immaculate Heart head coach Maria Nolan said, who earned her 1,100th career win this season.
Abby Romero (11) of Immaculate Heart hugs head coach Maria Nolan after the Eagles won the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
IHA’s lone loss came in an out-of-state contest against Pennsylvania’s top team, Pope John Paul II. They managed to win a set in the defeat, but the squad’s broader takeaway was knowing they can hang in with other premier units outside of the state.
“That was the defining moment for us. Once we knew we could beat Pennsylvania’s No. 1 team, we knew we could compete with New Jersey teams to finish No. 1 here,” Nolan said.
Immaculate Heart's Kalena Stavish (22) sets the ball against Bogota in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
The Blue Eagles went on to win 25 straight matches that included victories against nine teams ranked in the NJ.com Top 20.
They were led by this season’s Player of the Year, Brookelyn Talmadge - who laced 323 kills and 51 blocks - but IHA’s strongest suit in 2022 was their defense.
They stagnated the opposition up front with 149 total blocks, but their back-row steel curtain gave outside hitters plenty of trouble as arguably the strongest defensive unit this year.
Immaculate Heart celebrates after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls volleyball final between Immaculate Heart and Paul VI at Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
“This year’s team was one of the best defensive teams we had at IHA,” Nolan said. “In past years, we always had strong offense with dominant hitters. We stressed defense from the first day knowing it would be a key to winning it all.”
Collectively, IHA covered the court with 847 digs, including 45 in the group championship.
Winning their 14th group title since 2007 and eighth county title this year, Immaculate Heart was a freight train on the hardwood. They won 26 matches in straight sets, including 13 in a row. Their postseason victories came against St. Thomas Aquinas, Notre Dame, Union Catholic and Paul VI to cement their No. 1 spot in the NJ.com Top 20.
“It was exciting and rewarding to win the state title, especially with this year’s seniors. We had a unique group of seniors who were focused on their goals and what they wanted to achieve this season. They were self-motivators and their leadership was infectious,” Nolan said.
Immaculate Heart's Kalena Stavish bumps the ball against Bogota in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart head coach Maria Nolan (right) raises the trophy after IHA won in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final over Bogota in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota's Angelina Buhler (16) fires upon Immaculate Heart's Kahlia Content (19) and Kalena Stavish (22) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Julia Sobilo (9) and Kahlia Content (19) of Immaculate Heart got for the block against Bogota's Angelina Buhler (16) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart celebrates the winning points against Bogota in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Angelina Buhler of Bogota (16) shoots against Immaculate Heart 's Julia Sobilo (9) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota's Mia Pimentel (2) bumps the ball back over to Immaculate Heart in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota's Angelina Buhler shoots past Kahlia Content of Immaculate Heart (19) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota's Angelina Buhler shoots against Evelyn Roman (7) and Brookelyn Talmadge of Immaculate Heart (19) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota's Seniah Burrell (21) drops the ball over Brookelyn Talamdge of Immaculate Heart in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Carol Villada (17) and Mia Pimentel of Bogota go up to block the shot by Immaculate Heart's Grace Coughlin (3) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart's Brookelyn Talmadge blocks the ball back against Carol Villada (17) and Emma Fowler in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota's Ashanna Caviness (28) keeps the ball in play against Immaculate Heart in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota's Mia Pimentel chases the ball off the court against Immaculate Heart in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Julia Sobilo (9) and Brookelyn Talmadge (17) of Immaculate Heart block the shot by Bogota's Ashanna Caviness (28) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Ashanna Caviness of Bogota (28) scores between Immaculate Heart's Brookelyn Talmadge (17) and Kalena Stavish (22) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart's Brookelyn Talmadge (17) comes in for the hug with teammate Evelyn Roman after scoring against Bogota in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Brookelyn Talmadge (17) and Kalena Stavish (22) of Immaculate Heart go up to block the spike by Bogota's Angelina Buhler in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota's Ashanna Caviness' (28) shot is blocked by Kahlia Content of Immaculate Heart (19) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota's Angelina Buhler scores against Brookelyn Talmadge and Julia Sobilo (9) of Immaculate Heart (19) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Brookelyn Talmadge (17) and Kalena Stavish (22) of Immaculate Heart go up to block the spike by Bogota's Ashanna Caviness (28) in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart teammates react to Kahlia Content's (19) big score against Bogota in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart celebrate winning a long point against Bogota in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart celebrates their victory over Bogota in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Brookelyn Talmadge of Immaculate Heart gets airborne as the final point is scored in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat Bogota 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Julia Sobilo (9) and Brookelyn Talmadge (17) of Immaculate Heart go up to block the shot by Bogota's Angelina Buhler in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart girls line up for the anthem before Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final against Bogota in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Julia Sobilo (9) and Kahlia Content (19) of Immaculate Heart block back the shot by Bogota's Angelina Buhler in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota's Gianna Estevez takes the court to take on Immaculate Heart in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart celebrates their victory over Bogota in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart's Kalena Stavish (22) sets the ball against Bogota in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota head coach Brad DiRupo directs play against Immaculate Heart in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota vs. Immaculate Heart in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota gets fired up for Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota teammates honor the flag before taking on Immaculate Heart in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart's Maggie Polchin storms onto the court to take on Bogota in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Bogota celebrates a big score against Immaculate Heart in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart huddles during a break in the action during Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final against Bogota in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart head coach Maria Nolan goes over strategy with her team during a timeout in Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final in Old Tappan. IHA beat Bogota 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
Immaculate Heart supporters cheer their team during Sunday's Bergen County high school girls volleyball final against Bogota in Old Tappan. IHA beat the Bucs 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 for the win. 10/02/2022
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