After leading her Paramus Catholic volleyball team to seize both the Bergen County and NJSIAA championship title in 1993, setter Diane Gioffre was dubbed The Record Athlete of the Week. Thirty years later in the same sport and position, NVOT volleyball setter Addison Gioffre, Diane Gioffre’s niece, earns the same accomplishments. But the legacy didn’t begin there; Grandfather Vincent Gioffre, then catcher for the Fort Lee High School baseball team, won a similar title as the subject of the Charlie McGill “Spotlight on Youth” in 1959, making Addison Gioffre the third generation of her family to win such a title.
Gioffre grew up surrounded by volleyball, participating in games with family and friends. In seventh grade, she decided to take her hobby to the next level by joining Pinnacle Volleyball Academy, a local volleyball club, where she expanded her skillset and grew into a strong contender. When high school approached, Gioffre proved her abilities, earning her spot on NVOT’s varsity volleyball team as their backup setter by her freshman year.
From there, Gioffre improved rapidly at the competitive varsity level. By her junior year, she earned her position as the team’s starting setter. Setting to hitters Samantha Kranzler and Julia Whaley, Gioffre reached a whopping record of 1,011 total assists throughout her time at NVOT. To add on to those senior year achievements, she played a crucial role in helping her team become the only varsity volleyball team in all of New Jersey to have an undefeated record.
“I would say she’s matured into a leader,” said Melissa Landeck, head coach of NVOT varsity volleyball. Landeck coached Gioffre throughout the entirety of her high school career, watching her improve each fall season over the course of four years. “I think she was more on the shy side when she was younger, and as she’s gotten older, she just matured and became more outgoing and developed into a leader, which you would want in a senior captain.”
Still, the journey to becoming such a successful player wasn’t always linear for Gioffre, “I faced both physical and mental challenges throughout these four years,” she said. Her sophomore year, Gioffre’s season was cut short after spraining her ankle just a few weeks into the season. Hoping to make up for the loss of time her junior year, Gioffre came out strong but suffered yet another sprain on her other ankle, taking away three weeks of the season for her to recover. Mentally, Gioffre struggled at times with frustration and discouragement after losses and times she felt she did not play her best. “These moments of doubt never lasted long, and I was always able to remember my love for the sport. That motivated me to overcome these feelings.”
Aside from her athletic performance, Gioffre is so much more than just a volleyball player. “Addie is like an emotional anchor for our team,” said varsity player, junior Eva Curko. Curko began playing with Gioffre at a young age, and they both joined Pinnacle where they quickly became even greater friends. “Both off the court and on the court, she plays a big role. So off the court, like I said, she’s a very emotionally supportive person. And on the court, she is part of every play. She touches every ball. And, honestly, we wouldn’t have had the success that we had this season if it wasn’t for her.”
Despite all of the personal successes Gioffre has made this past season, she remains incredibly humble, giving more credit to her teammates than herself, “Most of all, my teammates are the reason behind this success,” she said. “Everyone played an important role this season and even my personal achievements are a product of their talent and support.”
Although Gioffre does not plan on furthering her volleyball career in college, she still wishes to remain involved through joining club teams. She advises younger players in the program, “I would say to never forget why you are playing. Sometimes when you are so focused on being the best you forget your love for the sport, and that ruins the fun. I have found that my best games are the ones when I stop stressing and just have fun with my teammates.” With accomplishments like hers, Gioffre has left a mark not only at NVOT, but in her family history. With three different Gioffre athletes winning noteworthy athletic awards, one can only imagine what’s in store for this family’s future generations. But one thing is for certain: Addison Gioffre is not just setting a ball but setting a legacy.
