On November 22, eight teams participated in the Tenafly 4v4 Volleyball Tournament. Teams composed of students from different grades were eligible to compete, and snacks and refreshments were available for purchase on the tournament day. The tournament provided a pathway for all four grades to come together and participate in a friendly and fun game. The tournament was able to start early since students trickled into the main gym right after school; the first round began at 3:30 and the overall tournament ended at 6:30.

The winners were Aviv Almagor (’26), Daniel Haw (’26), Eric De-Gabriel (’25), and Alexi Lambert (’26), under the team name “Bounce City.” In the final round, “Bounce City” came from the Losers’ bracket to win two close games consecutively with scores of 25-23 and 25-22. The unexpected win proved to be a reflection of the team’s persistence and patience.

The tournament was not only exciting for the participants but also for individuals aiding the process of getting the game ready. The tournament was sponsored by the class of 2026, with the Junior Class Officers planning everything, from making the rules to setting up for the event. There was much effort put into the organization of the tournament, as evident by the intricate planning and significant improvements made from last year.

“We tried to do a basketball tournament last year, but it didn’t quite work out, so we wanted to choose a sport that was becoming increasingly popular,” the Junior Class President, Jaeha (Justin) Kim (’26) said, referring to volleyball. “We were able to get considerable help from Mr. Koehler […] as well as some players in the Girls Volleyball team.”

Other class officers commented on the success of the tournament and the resulting responses from students.

“It was fun to get feedback from them about the bracket we made and the rules we made,” Davin Shin (’26), the Junior Class Treasurer, said. The positive responses received proved the volleyball tournament to be a success.

The tournament, being student-led, was also supported by the participants and students volunteering. Numerous students took the roles of referees, scorekeepers, and photographers, creating a blend of talents that formed to run the tournament.

“I most enjoyed seeing everyone become so competitive, but also respectful at the same time; it brought a positive mood to the event,” Dayoung Ahn (’26), the Junior Class Secretary, reflected. Through cooperative teamwork and a cheerful atmosphere, the Junior Class Office has already received requests to hold another tournament.

Volleyball is a sport that brings people together through teamwork, participation, and passion. The competitive but encouraging tournament caused many students to find the tournament enjoyable and a nice bonding experience with their fellow classmates. As more requests for another tournament are rolling in, the Junior Class Office is considering various ways to improve the tournament experience even further.