Newton North girls volleyball team defeats Winchester in MIAA Div. 1 quarterfinals

NNHS Volleyball defeats Winchester, November 7, 2025

Pepper Johnson (21) dives for the dig. Though they trailed during the first two sets, the Newton North girls volleyball team rallied to take both, en route to defeating Winchester 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 1 volleyball tournament on November 7, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

The Newton North girls volleyball team took a big step toward their fourth consecutive state championship on Friday evening, defeating #7 Winchester 3 sets to 1 in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 1 tournament. Coach Nile Fox’s Tigers trailed in each of the first two sets but rallied to go up 2 sets to 0 before Winchester finally broke through in the third, much to the delight of Winchester’s traveling supporters. North led the fourth set wire to wire, eventually winning 25-21 and sending the home fans into a frenzy. The Tigers now advance to their fifth straight semifinal, where they will play the winner of Saturday’s matchup between Wellesley and Central Catholic.

Here are some images from the match.

Chiara Vitolo (26) and Sasha Selivan (13) jump at the net to try to block the ball in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 1 volleyball tournament between Newton North and Winchester at Newton North HS on November 7, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Sasha Selivan (13) sets the ball in the third set of a quarterfinal matchup between Newton North and Winchester in the MIAA Division 1 volleyball tournament at Newton North HS on November 7, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Ella Tulimieri (19) jumps at the net but can’t block the spike from a Winchester player. The Newton North girls volleyball team defeated Winchester 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 1 volleyball tournament at Newton North HS on November 7, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Members of the Newton North girls volleyball team raise the Final Four trophy after defeating Winchester 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 1 volleyball tournament at Newton North HS on November 7, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Pepper Johnson (21) screams after Newton North scored a point against Winchester during their quarterfinal matchup in the MIAA Division 1 volleyball tournament at Newton North HS on November 7, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

The Newton North bench erupts in cheers after their team scored a point in the first set against Winchester. The Newton North girls volleyball team defeated Winchester 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 1 volleyball tournament at Newton North HS on November 7, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Members of the Newton North girls volleyball team pose for a photo after defeating Winchester 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 1 volleyball tournament at Newton North HS on November 7, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon