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It took some time, but eventually, Bogota/Ridgefield Park’s Theresa Zeppetelli was able to appreciate the magnitude of her finishing runner-up in the state at 107 last year.

It was, of course, disappointing. But it also gave her a glimpse into what was possible at a new weight — 100 pounds — where she feels lighter, quicker and better able to get to her attacks.

Her path to finishing first this year is still well on its way as she punched her ticket to the finals in Atlantic City with pins in both the quarter and semifinals.

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“At first it was very disappointing then I took a minute and realized I came second in the state. I was like ‘oh my god I did it,’ and I was very proud of myself and I still am that I took second,” Zeppetelli said. “Of course I’m disappointed that I lost but I’m proud of myself and motivated me that if I can come second, then I can come first.”

With her move down to 100, she’s looking to put people on notice and make some noise and expected nothing less.

She’s done finishing second and isn’t content with just making finals anymore, though.

“I expected myself to make it here again so I can make it to AC,” Zeppetelli said. “Everything changes now. Now I’m just going to push harder and work through it all over again.”

Coming down from 107, it took Zeppetelli some time to adapt to the new speed of everything, but she picked it up quickly and is working on honing her technique now rather than just being stronger than every opponent.

“I don’t just like to use all my muscle. I like to be very technical and work on every little thing and make sure I hone every detail.”

Zeppetelli’s opponent in the finals, Sparta freshman Paige Weiss, has put together one of the most impressive seasons of any rookie in the state.

She knocked off two state champions — Paramus’ Olivia Klein in the North 1 region semifinals, and twice dispatched Elizabeth’s Isabella Santos, first in the BCWCA Invitational third place bout and again in the 100-pound semifinals.

Weiss pinned Santos in 4:33 in the semis and that familiarity between the two played to Weiss’ advantage.

“I knew that she always goes for throws so I was just trying to shoot before she got a chance to,” she said.

Her coach, Dan Trappe isn’t surprised that Weiss has been so impressive and notched such quality wins in her first year wrestling for the Spartans.

He also knows that Weiss’ performance sets a high bar for everyone else entering the wrestling room behind her.

“We knew what was coming since she came from our youth program so we had high expectations from the start,” Trappe said. “She’s definitely set the bar for the girls that are coming in next year.”

As for how the freshman will handle the spotlight of being in Atlantic City? Trappe isn’t worried. Besides, it’s hist first trip down to Atlantic City, too, as he never made the state tournament as a wrestler for Jefferson.

“We always know she’s the better wrestler out there, it’s just about her finding that confidence that she needed throughout the season,” Trappe said.

The win against Klein was the key she needed to unlock that confidence to perform well on the big stage. Though familiarity with Zeppetelli doesn’t hurt either.

The two wrestled in the finals of the North 1 region tournament Zeppetelli got the pin in 1:24, so Weiss knows what to expect, and how to counter it.

“I know she had a good rush in to a single and I know she likes grabbing wrists so I’m just trying to get to her legs by using a single and getting to her wrists,” Weiss said. “Last time she was able to pancake me and pin me from there so I need to work on finishing the single.”

Even if Weiss knows what’s coming, though, Zeppetelli is confident she’ll have the upperhand again,

“For me, it’s honestly if I can master one move, no one’s stopping it,” Zeppetelli said. “If I can master something, no one’s stopping it.”

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Jake Aferiat covers the SEC, Skyland and UCC. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Aferiat.

State championship volleyball matches are not supposed to be non-competitive coronations, most especially in Group 1.

But a loaded team from Bogota did not get that memo on Sunday.

Shaking off a sluggish start in the first set, Bogota – No. 3 in the NJ.com Top 20 – steamrolled to a straight sets sweep of Delaware Valley, 25-14, 25-6, to capture the NJSIAA/JAG-ONE Physical Therapy Group 1 championship at Franklin High School.

The Bucs closed out a fabulous 28-2 season with a 21-1 run to close out the second set, and their season, in statement fashion. Delaware Valley – which had a strong season that included a sectional title – finished 18-10.

The state title is the 12th overall for Bogota, which won its fourth straight state title dating to 2018.

“I think there were some nerves there in the first set. I’m not sure because we’ve played in a lot of big matches, but we looked like our normal selves in the second half,” said veteran Bogota coach Brad DiRupo. “To win a state championship is the product of committing yourself in the offseason, and these kids did that.”

The senior duo of Angelina Buhler and Ashanna Caviness was again lethal for the champions in this one, as they both punished Delaware Valley in and around the net all match.

In the 21-1 rampage to close out the match, Buhler and Caviness registered three kills apiece, while teammate Jenelly Jimenez served up two aces as part of a six-point serving run.

Three kills and a block by Caviness set Bogota out to an 8-3 lead early in the first set, but a pair of blocks by Abbey Bivona brought the Terriers to within 8-6.

Shortly after, Skylee Ohler served up a six-point run that gave the Terriers a shocking 13-11 lead midway through the set.

“It’s a wonderful achievement to get back into a state championship game,” said Delaware Valley coach Erin Flemington. “Bogota is obviously a powerhouse, and if they are playing well there isn’t much you can do.”

Buhler would rattle off seven points with the serve, including an ace, to immidiately bring Bogota back ahead 19-13. A kill by Del Val’s Adriana Rosato would briefly interrupt the Bogota wave, but Gianna Estevez of the Bucs promptly went on a five-point run to seal the opening stanza.

For Buhler and Caviness, a pair of seniors who have experienced great success at Bogota, the road ended with a state champinship, but no Tournament of Champions to go for.”

“It would have been nice to have a chance to play for a Tournament of Champions, and it’s a bummer we won’t,” Buhler said. “But finishing up playing high school volleyball with a state championship is not bad either.”

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OLD TAPPAN — Brookelyn Talmadge, Kahlia Content and “LaFawnduh” were front and center at the Bergen County girls volleyball final.

The former two keyed the Immaculate Heart front-row attack, which helped the tournament's top seed stave off No. 2 Bogota, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18, Sunday in Northern Valley/Old Tappan’s South Gym.

The latter is a rubber chicken, named after a Napoleon Dynamite character and clad in pink plastic pearls, which resided on the Blue Eagles' bench.

“It was here way before I got here,” IHA setter Kalena Stavish explained. “We had it throughout states one year, and we won. And ever since, it’s been like a mascot for our team, in a way.”

She added with a chuckle, “This year, our team’s really trying to promote LaFawnduh.”

Talmadge, meanwhile, needs little introduction. The 6-foot senior is a returning All-North Jersey player and committed to Division I Bryant University, and she had a pair of kills during the Blue Eagles’ match-ending 6-0 run.

Content transferred to IHA as a sophomore but truly started making an impact on the rotation this season. The senior made a career-high six blocks, including two in the decisive set.

“Kahlia’s also so good at blocking, and she brings so much energy to the team,” Stavish said. “Our whole team consists of such strong hitters… it’s just so great how we always have someone we can rely on every single time.”

What it means

Now with eight Bergen County titles, Immaculate Heart (25-1) ranks third all-time in that category. Only Paramus (11) and Demarest (nine) have more, but IHA has the most of any school over the past 15 years with seven.

Bogota (20-2) was playing in its first county final since 2012, when it became the smallest school ever to take home the trophy.

Student population seemed irrelevant Sunday. Besides both having vocal rooting sections, these were clearly Bergen’s top two teams – the Bucs’ only two losses are to IHA, and the Blue Eagles’ lone loss came against one of the top teams in Pennsylvania.

Big runs

Game 1 was close until Stavish and opposite Julia Sobilo teamed up to spark a string of five consecutive points that gave Immaculate Heart breathing room at 20-13.

The Blue Eagles tried to rally from a 17-11 deficit in Game 2 but never got the lead, as Bogota junior Angelina Buhler fueled an 8-2 run. Senior Seniah Burrell recorded set point with a block.

Game 3 was tied 7-7 when Talmadge reentered the game – libero Abby Romero (17 digs) covers her spot in the back row – and got back-to-back kills to send IHA on a 7-1 run.

Players of the match

? Talmadge led the Blue Eagles with 12 kills, and she combined with Content to make 10 of the team’s 14 blocks.

? Stavish spread the ball around well and even made a few sets on the run. The junior from Upper Saddle River ended with 28 assists and a pair of clever push-kills.

? Returning All-North Jersey OH Ashanna Caviness paced Bogota with 22 kills, while Buhler turned in a double-double (14 kills, 12 digs).

They said it

“We know that Bogota always fights back really well. They’re very strong, they’ve very competitive, and they never give up. So, we definitely knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game for us.” —Stavish, who notched her 1,000th career assist in an Oct. 4 match at Bogota

“It was hard coaching, but it was a very good match. … I’m happy, and I love playing in this county final, because it helps prepare you for the state tournament.” —IHA coach Maria Nolan, whose 1,000th career win came in the 2018 Bergen final

‘This Is Why’ has debuted at number 1 in both the UK and Australian album charts.

Two decades into their incredible career, their 6th studio album ‘This Is Why’ has stormed the charts debuting at number 1 in both the UK and Australia, their third number 1 in each country. It also received number 1 spots on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, Billboard’s Vinyl Album Chart, Billboard’s Alternative Album chart, Billboard’s Rock Album chart, Billboard’s digital album chart and landed at number 1 in the Billboard top 200.

The album’s title track – released in September – recently earned the band their first number 1 at Alternative Radio and was voted ‘Hottest Record Of The Year‘ by BBC Radio 1 listeners in the UK. Last week they released the video for new single ‘Running Out Of Time.’

Watch ‘Running Out Of Time’ below

Paramore is now gearing up to join Taylor Swift on the opening nights of her Eras Tour in Glendale, Arizona on March 17th and 18th before embarking on a sold-out global arena tour, kicking off in South America in March, followed by a UK run in April, and a North American run starting in May. Support comes from Bloc Party, Foals, The Linda Lindas and Genesis Owusu.

For the band’s largest headline arena shows in more than a decade they’ll make stops at some of the most iconic venues including two nights at London’s O2 Arena, two nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, Austin’s Moody Center, two nights at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena and more before wrapping up in St. Paul, MN at Xcel Energy Center on August 2nd. The band are donating a portion of their ticket sales to organizations working in areas of essential community support, including Support & Feed and REVERB.

Tour Dates

Thu March 2 – Lima District, Peru – Estadio UNMSM

Sun March 5 – Santiago, Chile – Movistar Arena

Tue March 7 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Arena Movistar

Thu March 9 – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – Qualistage

Sat March 11 – São Paulo, Brazil – Centro Esportivo Tiete

Sun March 12 – São Paulo, Brazil – Centro Esportivo Tiete

Tue March 14 – Bogotá, Colombia – Movistar Arena

Fri March 17 – Glendale, AZ – State Farm Stadium=

Sat March 18 – Glendale, AZ – State Farm Stadium=

Thu April 13 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena

Sat April 15 – Cardiff, United Kingdom – International Arena

Mon April 17 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – OVO Hydro

Tue April 18 – Manchester, United Kingdom – AO Arena

Thu April 20 – London, United Kingdom – O2 Arena

Sat April 22 – Birmingham, United Kingdom – Utilita Arena

Sun April 23 – London, United Kingdom – O2 Arena

Tue May 23 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center*~

Thu May 25 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena*~

Sat May 27 – Atlantic City, NJ – Adjacent Festival+

Sun May 28 – Boston, MA – Boston Calling +

Tue May 30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden*~

Wed May 31 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden*~

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Fri June 02 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena*~

Sun Jun 04 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse*~

Mon Jun 05 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse*~

Wed Jun 07 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena*~

Thu Jun 08 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena*~

Sat Jun 10 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center*~

Sun Jun 11 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paint Arena*~

Tue Jun 13 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center*~

Wed Jun 14 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live*~

Sun Jun 18 – Nashville, TN – Bonnaroo +

Thu Jul 06 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center^!

Sat Jul 08 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena^!

Sun Jul 09 – Austin, TX – Moody Center^!

Tue Jul 11 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center^!

Thu Jul 13 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena^!

Sun Jul 16 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena^

Wed Jul 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum^

Wed Jul 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum^

Sat Jul 22 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center^

Mon Jul 24 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena^!

Tue Jul 25 – Portland, OR – Veterans Memorial Coliseum^!

Thu Jul 27 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Arena^!

Sat Jul 29 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center^!

Sun Jul 30 – St Louis, MO – Enterprise Center^!

Wed Aug 02 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center^!

*With Support Bloc Party

^With Support from Foals

!With Support from The Linda Lindas

~With Support from Genesis Owusu

+Festival Performance

=Supporting Taylor Swift

Sectional semifinals in the NJSIAA girls volleyball tournament took place Thursday and Friday. Here is a look at every North Jersey squad that advanced in their respective brackets.

The finals will be played on Tuesday at the higher-seeded team.

Bogota, Cresskill

North 1, Group 1

While the top-seeded Bucs (25-2) remain in pursuit of their 13th consecutive championship, No. 3 Cresskill (19-5) will try to win its first since the NJSIAA began awarding sectional trophies in 2010. The Cougars' last state title came in 2003, when they went back-to-back in Group 1.

Both teams have different coaches than they did a year ago. In Bogota's case, Brad DiRupo returns for his 23rd season after taking 2021 off due to health reasons. Cresskill's Laura Germano is entirely new to varsity volleyball and stepped in at the last minute prior to the season, and her squad has responded with its highest win total since 2009.

The Cougars finished a game behind Emerson in the NJIC Patriot Division, but they prevailed when the teams squared off for a third time in Thursday's semifinals. Junior Erin Fahy tied a season high with 13 kills and added seven blocks in a 25-21, 25-21 victory over the No. 2 Cavos.

In addition to leading the team in both categories, Fahy ranks No. 1 in aces (31), just ahead of senior setter Amber Dangelico (29), who heads into the sectional final with 408 assists.

Bogota setter Mia Pimentel, meanwhile, raised her season assist total to 542 with 26 in a 25-7, 25-13 win against No. 4 Saddle Brook. The Bucs completed a sweep of their new rivals in the NJIC Liberty – they had been in the Patriot Division until this year – and have not lost a divisional game since the conference was formed in 2010.

Senior Angelina Buhler notched a career-best 16 kills for Bogota, and with her complementing fellow outside hitter Ashanna Caviness (340 kills this season), the defending champs will be a tough out.

River Dell

North 1, Group 2

The No. 1 seed Hawks (21-2) are in the final for a second straight year, and this time, they will face No. 2 Sparta. The Spartans (22-1) knocked out defending champ Old Tappan, which took a wild match against River Dell to win the Fall 2021 title.

Junior Reese Petersen (eight kills) and senior Alicia Idiculla (seven) led the offense and defense in a 25-17, 25-17 semifinal win over No. 5 Pascack Valley, as they were two of four different Hawks with at least seven digs. Idiculla also served five aces, pulling within two of senior setter Emma Evancho for the team lead at 47.

Sparta libero Haley Maher impressed defensively as well, recording 25 digs in her team's 25-16, 25-21 sweep of Old Tappan. The Spartans won this bracket in Spring 2021, after the pandemic forced the season to be pushed back from the fall.

Tenafly, Paramus

North 1, Group 3

The No. 1 seed Tigers (19-2) will try to win this bracket for their second time in three seasons when they host No. 2 Paramus (17-8). The Spartans won their Group 3 sectional in 2015 – when only the trophies indicated if you were "Section A" or "Section B" – before bowing to Old Tappan in the state final.

Isabella Bido is one of the big reasons Paramus has reached its highest win total since the '15 season. The senior setter has tallied 395 assists and 109 digs, including 14 in semifinal win over Morris Knolls, while sophomores Tiana Holeviczki (188 kills) and Klea Karanxha (334 digs) have contributed as well.

Tenafly's trio of top hitters – seniors Sofia Bell (169 kills) and Rylie Theuerkauf (155) and junior Sofia Tapia (142) – have the Tigers on the verge of their first 20-win season since 2019, after they secured a division title in the demanding Big North National. Their semifinal victory came against Passaic County runner-up Wayne Valley (16-10).

Bergen Tech

North 1, Group 4

The Knights' historic season continues as they prepare to host their first sectional final. Having already set a program record for wins at 25-2, they earned a meeting with No. 2 Livingston (24-2) by knocking off defending champ Ridgewood.

Serving has given Bergen Tech a big boost in the tournament. After a first-round bye, the top seed in the bracket totaled 27 aces in two playoff matches, with seniors Bryanna Purisima (45 this season), Riley Sobel (43) and Alana Baginski (42) and junior Kaitlyn Acevedo (43) leading the way.

No. 4 Ridgewood ended the year at 15-9, and senior setter Cammi Quirk accomplished an unprecedented feat by leading the Maroons in four different statistical categories: Assists (330), digs (244), kills (135) and aces (65). Livingston took its semifinal against No. 3 Fair Lawn, which finished 19-7.

Rutherford

North 2, Group 1

The Bulldogs became division mates with Secaucus in the new NJIC National this season, and the two tied for second place behind St. Mary. Rutherford (19-8) took the rubber match Thursday in the volleyball equivalent of "double overtime": 29-27, 27-25, as the winners surpassed the regulation 25 points in both sets.

Senior Hannah Tobin and freshman Cate Finan combined for 14 assists in propelling the No. 2 seed into the final against No. 1 Verona (21-5), which outlasted the Bulldogs in three sets for last year's crown. The Hillbillies handled Hasbrouck Heights in the semis, 25-9, 25-13.

Rutherford has reached the 20-win mark in each of its last six full seasons (aside from the Spring 2021 COVID campaign). No. 3 Secaucus finished 16-9 under second-year coach Dylan Caruso, extending a string of 41 consecutive winning records.