Freeport girls volleyball eyes WPIAL section title after Caylee Zembrzuski serves ’Jackets to win vs Hampton
BUFFALO TWP — Freeport’s Caylee Zembrzuski had an ace up her sleeve with the second and third sets in doubt.
Make that a handful of them.
The sophomore setter was behind the service line late in the second set Tuesday with Freeport girls volleyball trailing visiting Hampton 23-19. After her teammates accounted for two points, Zembrzuski served up three straight aces to give the Yellowjackets the lead, and Emily Boylan’s kill moments later gave the Yellowjackets a 2-0 edge in sets.
In the third set, Hampton rallied to erase a 10-point deficit. The score was tied at 22, and Zembrzuski again took the serve.
Another ace was followed by two more serves the Talbots were unable to return, earning Freeport a sweep by scores of 25-18, 25-23 and 25-22.
The two teams, WPIAL Section 2-3A rivals, had met last month, with Freeport dropping the final three sets in a 3-2 loss.
“It was good to see us push through tonight and finish things,” Zembrzuski said. “This win will help with seeding (in the upcoming district playoffs), and we have a chance to share the section title if we can win Thursday at Mars.
“I’ve been practicing serves a lot and have definitely gotten better. I like to hit some short and some long. That keeps other teams confused.”
Three of Zembrzuski‘s aces nicked the top of the net before falling amid the Talbots for a point.
The Yellowjackets had already qualified for the postseason for the 25th straight year.
“We are very young, but also very hungry,” Freeport coach Tom Phillips said. “The thing we’ve improved with most this season is believing we can win.
“Players have to learn how to win and accept nothing else. You really can’t work on that in practice, it comes from the heart, and these girls have heart.”
Freeport jumped out to big leads in the first set (6-0) and third set (15-5).
Hampton was on the verge of tying the match at a set apiece, with Katie Christy, Mayzie Bonfili and Marin Katona-Bock each tallying four kills, before Zembrzuski’s run of aces.
Boylan had 10 kills for the Yellowjackets and Evie Tola added nine.
If Mars defeats Freeport (11-4, 7-2) Thursday, the Planets will win the section title outright. A Freeport victory would hand both teams, and possibly Hampton (11-4, 7-2), a share of the crown.
Last year, Mars snapped Freeport’s run of 19 consecutive section championships.
The WPIAL playoffs begin next week.
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Freeport's student section supports the girls volleyball team in a game against Hampton on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Brynleigh Paga (10) and her teammates celebrate a win over Hampton after the girls volleyball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport head coach Tom Phillips talks with his players between sets of the girls volleyball game against Hampton on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Nina Pagano's (4) high-fives her teammates as she comes off the floor in a girls volleyball game against Hampton on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport cheerleaders show their support during a girls volleyball game against Hampton on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Payton Woods (7) spikes the ball against Hampton in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Evie Tola (1) spikes the ball against Hampton in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Evie Tola (1) bumps the ball off a hit by Hampton in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Emily Boylan (15) swings at the ball against Hampton in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Nina Pagano (4) celebrates after point against Hampton in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Evie Tola (1) serves the ball against Hampton in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Freeport High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
