2025 was a stellar year for the Section 1 girls volleyball teams which included two teams making it all the way to the state semifinals and three to the regional finals. With the conclusion of the season, the postseason awards are coming in with many players being honored.
With the success of the local teams, many athletes can stake a claim at being the best. So, before the Journal News All-Stars are revealed this month, you can weigh in on some of the top candidates in this readers choice poll for the lohud Girls Volleyball Player of the year, presented by White Plains Hospital.
Read about a handful of the stars below and cast your vote. The poll will be open until Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. and the winner will be included with our postseason girls volleyball all-stars.
Jaida Cekic, Greeley
The Dartmouth-bound senior led the Quakers to the Section 1 Class AA semifinals. The outside hitter was a stalwart for the Quakers her entire high school career. She finished the season with 409 kills, 64 aces, 13 assists, 96 digs and 13 blocks. Cekic is the school record holder for kills overall and in a season. Cekic was named the Section 1 Conference 1 player of the year and garnered second team all state honors.
Alyssa Chiappa, Tappan Zee
The senior was an anchor at setter for the Dutchmen’s run to the Section 1 Class A championship game. Chiappa was named the Section 1 Conference 2 player of the year and garnered sixth-team all state honors.
Madison Fulgencio, North Rockland
The Central Connecticut State-bound senior has been a consistent player for the Red Raiders her entire career leading the team to their second straight Section 1 Class AAA final appearance. She finished the year with 40 aces, 356 kills, nine assists, 179 digs and nine blocks. She garnered All League, All Section and third-team all state honors.
Emma Lunstead, Rye
The senior libero was a stalwart for the Garnets in their run to the program’s first every Section 1 Class A championship and berth in the regional finals. Lunstead finished the year with 52 aces, 83 assists, 337 serve receive to setter, 504 serve receive up, and 436 digs. She garnered All League, All Section and fifth team all state honors.
Natalia Lyon, Yorktown
The Johnson & Wales-bound senior had a phenomenal season for the Huskers in a historic season leading them to a program first Section 1 and regional title. The first team Class AA all-state honoree finished the season with 237 kills, 288 digs, 44 aces with a serve percentage of 96.4, 25 assists and 21 blocks.
Izzy Picard, Putnam Valley
The Navy-bound senior was the major catalyst to this historic season for the Tigers getting to the state semifinals for the first time in program history. In the state semifinals, she had 45 kills, 20 digs, and two aces. For her senior season, she had 51 aces, 200 digs, 414 kills for a .493 kill percentage, and 32 blocks. She had a .351 hitting percentage.
Twitter: @LoHud_Debbie
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Who is the readers choice for Volleyball Player of the Year?
