Women's Volleyball

RAMAPO SELECTED AS PRESEASON FAVORITE IN VOLLEYBALL

PITMAN--After advancing to the championship match of the 2008 NJAC Tournament, Ramapo College was selected as the 2009 preseason volleyball favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Roadrunners, who posted a 17-16 overall record in 2008, are seeking their first NJAC championship in program history.

Led by fifth-year head coach Robert Pichardo, the Roadrunners were selected to finish first on three-of-the-nine ballots cast by the league head coaches. In 2008, Ramapo posted a 6-2 conference record for a third place NJAC regular season finish, but advanced to the NJAC Championship match with tournament victories over sixth-seeded William Paterson and second-seeded Montclair State. Under the leadership of Pichardo, Ramapo has posed a mark of 67-49, improving his overall career collegiate coaching record to 167-93. Ramapo returns one all-conference player from its NJAC Tournament runner-up squad in sophomore middle hitter Kayla Anders.

Richard Stockton College, which captured its fifth NJAC Championship in program history in 2008, was selected to finish second. The Ospreys received a league-high five first-place votes, but finished second in the overall poll behind Ramapo. Led by the 2008 NJAC Coach of the Year in Allison Walker, the Ospreys have posted an overall mark of 72-36 during her three year tenure, including NJAC Championships in both 2006 and 2008. In 2008, Stockton claimed the NJAC regular season championship with a perfect 8-0 league mark en route to a 29-9 overall record. The Ospreys return one player from their NJAC Championship squad in the 2008 NJAC Rookie of the Year, sophomore outside hitter Christine Velott. 

Montclair State University, which posted a 16-15 overall record in 2008, was selected to place third and received one first-place vote. The Red Hawks, who claimed the NJAC Championship in 2007, placed second in the NJAC regular season with a 6-2 league mark. Under the direction of third-year head coach Elise Cooper, MSU has produced an overall record of 38-30. The Red Hawks return a pair of all-conference players from their 2008 NJAC regular season runner-up squad in senior outsider hitter Karen Martin and senor middle blocker Kara Burnham.

Rowan University, which advanced to the semifinals of the 2008 NJAC Tournament en route to posting a 16-18 overall record, was selected to place fourth. Now in her second stint as head coach of the Profs, head coach Libby Ranero will enter her eighth season at the helm of the Rowan program. The Profs return the reigning NJAC Defensive Player of the Year in junior defensive specialist Casey Roselle.

William Paterson University, which notched a 20-8 overall record in 2008, was selected to place fifth. Sandy Ferrarella, the longest-tenured NJAC volleyball coach, will return for her 31st season at the helm of the Pioneer program. Ferrarella has guided Paterson to a 518-323 overall mark during her tenure. The Pioneers return one all-conference player from their 2008 squad in senior middle hitter Kelly Helfrich.

Rutgers University-Camden, led by second-year head coach Matt Ogin, was selected to place sixth and was tapped as the coaches’ dark horse selection. The Scarlet Raptors posted an 8-14 overall record during Ogin’s rookie season of 2008.

New Jersey City University, which posted a 14-11 overall record in 2008, was selected to place seventh. The Gothic Knights will be led by new first-year head coach Nicole Tallarida.

Rutgers-Newark, led by third-year head coach Karl France, was selected to finish eighth. The Scarlet Raiders posted a 3-28 overall record in 2008.

Kean University, which notched a 7-17 overall record in 2008, was selected to place ninth. The Cougars will be led by new head coach Don Perkins.

The 28th season of NJAC volleyball will get under way on Tuesday, September 1 with both Rutgers-Camden and Rutgers-Newark in non-conference action. Conference play will begin two weeks later on Tuesday, September 15. The top six regular season finishers will advance to the NJAC Championship Tournament which will begin with first round action on Tuesday, November 3. The NJAC Tournament semifinals will be conducted on Thursday, November 5, and the league championship match will be played at the site of the highest remaining seed on Saturday, November 7. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.

2009 NJAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll

 

 

1.

Ramapo (3)

2.

Richard Stockton (5)

3.

Montclair State

4.

Rowan 

5.

William Paterson

6.

Rutgers-Camden (dark horse)

7.

New Jersey City

8.

Rutgers-Newark

9.

Kean

 

 

 

 

First Place Votes In Parentheses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Led by fifth-year head coach Robert Pichardo, the Roadrunners were selected to finish first on three-of-the-nine ballots cast by the league head coaches. In 2008, Ramapo posted a 6-2 conference record for a third place NJAC regular season finish, but advanced to the NJAC Championship match with tournament victories over sixth-seeded William Paterson and second-seeded Montclair State. Under the leadership of Pichardo, Ramapo has posed a mark of 67-49, improving his overall career collegiate coaching record to 167-93. Ramapo returns one all-conference player from its NJAC Tournament runner-up squad in sophomore middle hitter Kayla Anders. 

 

Richard Stockton College, which captured its fifth NJAC Championship in program history in 2008, was selected to finish second. The Ospreys received a league-high five first-place votes, but finished second in the overall poll behind Ramapo. Led by the 2008 NJAC Coach of the Year in Allison Walker, the Ospreys have posted an overall mark of 72-36 during her three year tenure, including NJAC Championships in both 2006 and 2008. In 2008, Stockton claimed the NJAC regular season championship with a perfect 8-0 league mark en route to a 29-9 overall record. The Ospreys return one player from their NJAC Championship squad in the 2008 NJAC Rookie of the Year, sophomore outside hitter Christine Velott.


Montclair State University, which posted a 16-15 overall record in 2008, was selected to place third and received one first-place vote. The Red Hawks, who claimed the NJAC Championship in 2007, placed second in the NJAC regular season with a 6-2 league mark. Under the direction of third-year head coach Elise Cooper, MSU has produced an overall record of 38-30. The Red Hawks return a pair of all-conference players from their 2008 NJAC regular season runner-up squad in senior outsider hitter Karen Martin and senor middle blocker Kara Burnham.

 

 

Rowan University, which advanced to the semifinals of the 2008 NJAC Tournament en route to posting a 16-18 overall record, was selected to place fourth. Now in her second stint as head coach of the Profs, head coach Libby Ranero will enter her eighth season at the helm of the Rowan program. The Profs return the reigning NJAC Defensive Player of the Year in junior defensive specialist Casey Roselle.

 

William Paterson University, which notched a 20-8 overall record in 2008, was selected to place fifth. Sandy Ferrarella, the longest-tenured NJAC volleyball coach, will return for her 31st season at the helm of the Pioneer program. Ferrarella has guided Paterson to a 518-323 overall mark during her tenure. The Pioneers return one all-conference player from their 2008 squad in senior middle hitter Kelly Helfrich.  


Rutgers University-Camden, led by second-year head coach Matt Ogin, was selected to place sixth and was tapped as the coaches’ dark horse selection. The Scarlet Raptors posted an 8-14 overall record during Ogin’s rookie season of 2008.

 

New Jersey City University, which posted a 14-11 overall record in 2008, was selected to place seventh. The Gothic Knights will be led by new first-year head coach Nicole Tallarida.

Rutgers-Newark, led by third-year head coach Karl France, was selected to finish eighth. The Scarlet Raiders posted a 3-28 overall record in 2008.


Kean University, which notched a 7-17 overall record in 2008, was selected to place ninth. The Cougars will be led by new head coach Don Perkins.


The 28th season of NJAC volleyball will get under way on Tuesday, September 1 with both Rutgers-Camden and Rutgers-Newark in non-conference action. Conference play will begin two weeks later on Tuesday, September 15. The top six regular season finishers will advance to the NJAC Championship Tournament which will begin with first round action on Tuesday, November 3. The NJAC Tournament semifinals will be conducted on Thursday, November 5, and the league championship match will be played at the site of the highest remaining seed on Saturday, November 7. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.