 |  |
Richard Stockton Chosen As Preseason Favorite In NJAC Coaches Poll
PITMAN--After capturing their third consecutive NJAC title in 2010 and their fourth conference crown in the past five seasons, Richard Stockton College has been selected as the 2011 preseason women’s volleyball favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Ospreys will be seeking their eighth conference crown since 1996.
Led by sixth-year head coach Allison Walker, Stockton was selected to finish first on eight-of-the-nine ballots cast by the league head coaches. In 2010, the Ospreys posted a perfect 8-0 conference record en route to their third consecutive NJAC title and an overall record of 25-8. Under the leadership of Walker, Stockton has produced a 124-56 overall record, including NJAC Championships in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Ospreys return a league-high four all-conference players from their 2010 NJAC Championship team, including senior outside hitter Christine Velott, junior middle hitter Stephanie Warner, senior setter Laura Hausman, and the 2010 NJAC Rookie of the Year in sophomore Nicole Serekian.
Ramapo College, which advanced to the semifinals of the 2010 ECAC Metro/Upstate Tournament en route to a 25-6 overall record, was selected to place second and received one first place vote. The Roadrunners placed second in the 2010 NJAC race with a 7-1 league mark. Under the direction of seventh-year head coach Robert Pichardo, Ramapo has accumulated a 117-66 overall record, improving Pichardo’s career collegiate coaching record to 217-110. The Roadrunners return a pair of all-league players from their 2010 ECAC qualifying squad, including senior libero Elizabeth Steck, and the reigning NJAC Player of the Year in senior outside hitter Michelle Ferrari.
Rowan University, which posted a 17-14 overall record in 2010, was selected to place third. Now in her second stint as head coach of the Profs, head coach Libby Ranero has produced a 104-146 overall record in nine combined seasons at Rowan. The Profs return one all-league performer from a 2010 squad which finished fourth in the NJAC, in sophomore middle blocker Krissy Collins.
Rutgers University-Camden, which advanced to the semifinals of the 2010 NJAC Tournament en route to a school-best third place conference finish with a 6-2 NJAC mark, was selected to place fourth. The Scarlet Raptors will be guided by new rookie head coach Matt Dever. Dever inherits a squad which posted a school-best 18-13 overall record in 2010. The Scarlet Raptors return three all-league players from 2010, including senior outside hitter Katherine Crosby, junior setter Stephanie Miller, and sophomore middle hitter Chelsea Schmotzer.
William Paterson University, which notched a 20-6 overall record in 2010, was selected to place fifth. Sandy Ferrarella, the longest-tenured NJAC women’s volleyball coach, will enter her 33rd season with a career record of 559-337. The Pioneers return a pair of all-conference players from their 2010 squad, including senior outside hitter Kim Runge, and senior outside hitter Megan Maher.
Kean University, the coaches’ dark horse selection, was selected to place sixth. Third-year head coach Don Perkins has guided the Cougars to a mark of 31-32 during his tenure, including an overall record of 20-17 in 2010. Kean returns one all-league performer from 2010 in senior middle hitter Tara Richey.
Montclair State, under the leadership of new rookie head coach Eddie Stawinski, was selected to place seventh. Stawinski inherits a squad which returns a pair of all-league players in sophomore outside hitter Marta Topor, and the reigning NJAC Defensive Player of the year in sophomore libero Kaitlyn Irwin. MSU earned a NJAC Tournament berth with a sixth place finish in 2010 en route to a 7-29 overall record.
Rutgers-Newark, under the direction of new rookie head coach Joshua Coffing, was selected to place eighth. The Scarlet Raiders return a pair of all-conference players from a 2010 squad which finished 10-18 overall, including senior outside hitter Toni Moppert, and junior middle blocker Rachel Witt.
New Jersey City University, which will be led by new rookie head coach Kevin Rodgers, was selected to place ninth. The 2010 Gothic Knights finished 7-20 overall.
The 30th season of NJAC women’s volleyball will get under way on Thursday, September 1 with Kean, NJCU, Richard Stockton, and William Paterson in non-conference action. Conference play will begin 12 days later when Montclair State hosts Kean in the first league match of the year. The top six regular season finishers will advance to the NJAC Championship Tournament which will begin with first round action on Tuesday, November 1. The NJAC Tournament semifinals will be conducted on Thursday, November 3, and the league championship match will be played at the site of the highest remaining seed on Saturday, November 5. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.
2011 NJAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll |
|
| 1. | Richard Stockton (8) |
| 2. | Ramapo (1) |
| 3. | Rowan |
| 4. | Rutgers-Camden |
| 5. | William Paterson |
| 6. | Kean (dark horse) |
| 7. | Montclair State |
| 8. | Rutgers-Newark |
| 9. | New Jersey City |
| First Place Votes In Parentheses | |
