Columbia junior Violet Kessler answers a question as sophomore teammate Aaliyah Coleman, far left, and senior captain Azra Dedovic listen during the Columbia Athletics Media Day last month.
MAPLEWOOD/SOUTH ORANGE —The Columbia High School girls volleyball team has a good group of promising players this season.
Under longtime head coach Juan Bas, the Cougars will be led by senior captain/outside hitter Azra Dedovic, junior outside hitter Mayor Betz, junior setter Arielle Tamir-Hoehn, sophomore libero/defensive specialist Isabel Sippie, senior defensive specialist Summer Thornton and freshman setter Veronica McLaughlin.
Dedovic is a third-year letterwinner and captain who plays all the way around, said Bas.
Tamir-Hohen, a first-year varsity player, will be a significant kill contributor. Sippie, also in her first year on the team, can play multiple positions in front and in the back, focusing as a libero/defensive specialist.
Sippie, a first-year varsity player, can play anywhere on the floor, but will focus on being a liberto and defensive specialist.
Thornton is the team’s first natural middle blocker since 2025 graduate Maddy Casto and will be a big contributor this season, Bas said.
McLaughlin, a libero for her club team, will be a setter for the Cougars. The freshman is gifted and has excellent court coverage.
Dedovic, junior outside hitter/opposite Violet Kessler and junior outside hitter/opposite Aaliyah Coleman expressed their thoughts about the team and the season.
Said Dedovic: “I really like the energy of the team. We really came together during tryouts. Everybody was really supportive and picking each other up. Everybody was taking feedback positively.”
Kessler said, “We just want to focus on building our team chemistry and focus on playing well together and being a good team.”
Coleman said, “Everybody is coming together, not leaving anybody out, and we can always ask each other for advice.”
The other seniors are defensive specialist Elian Taylor-Prince, middle blockers Kyra Melchor and Naomi Clyburn, and opposite player Rubie Lam, defensive specialist. The other juniors are liberto/defensive specialist Ava Hersh and setter Kelsey Kouyoumdjian.
The Cougars lost to Glen Ridge in three games in the season opener on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Glen Ridge. Here are other upcoming matches:
• Thursday, Sept. 10: Belleville, 4 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 14: at Payne Tech, 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 16: at Cedar Grove, 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 23: at Montclair Kimberley Academy, 4 p.m.
Photo by Joe Ragozzino
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