Girls Volleyball: Westfield Aims for Another Serve for Glory

The Westfield High School girls volleyball team is preparing for the 2026 season after coming off a 24-6 record last year. The Blue Devils reached the Group 4 final but fell short, losing to Old Bridge 3-2 in a match that went five sets, with Old Bridge winning the final set 15-6 at home. Last season, Westfield posted records of 15-3 at home and 9-3 on the road.

Senior co-captains and middle blockers Annelise Bonn and Lillian Wood will lead the team. Bonn recorded 96 service points, 83 kills, 30 blocks, 28 digs, 21 aces, and eight assists last season. Wood posted 100 kills, 39 blocks, 25 digs, four aces, and four service points.

Senior Sophia Simeone (107 service points, 75 kills, 67 digs, 22 blocks, 22 aces, four assists) will serve as a pin hitter alongside juniors Liz Bresnahan and Lidia Wright. Setting duties will be handled by seniors Abby Wilson (301 assists, 170 service points, 126 digs, 23 aces, six kills), Heidi Foster, and junior Sonia Hemnani. Senior Karolina Gawkowska (38 digs, 14 service points) and junior Nikita Bhat will lead the defense.

Head coach Beverly Torok, in her 33rd season, stated: "We plan to be competitive in the Union County Conference (Watchung Division). The Union County Tournament is always a goal we strive for and we plan to be strong in the Group IV state tournament. The section was realigned and we are now in the North section. We played for the state championship last year vs Old Bridge and lost in five sets. We strive to challenge them again."

The 2026 regular season campaign opens with a game against Bridgewater-Raritan on September 2.

This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy against official sources.

Produced with AI assistance and reviewed against source records.