PITMAN --- Posting back-to-back undefeated conference seasons, Rowan has been predicted to repeat as women’s volleyball champions in 2023 based on a preseason poll of the NJAC’s nine head coaches. The Profs picked up six of the nine possible votes.
Perennial conference power Stockton earned three first place votes and is predicted to finish second. Kean and Montclair State, always in the playoff hunt themselves, come in at number three and four in the predictions. Rutgers-Camden and dark horse selection William Paterson are predicted fifth and sixth, expected to make a run to the conference tournament. Ramapo, NJCU, and Rutgers-Newark round out the preseason poll.
2023 NJAC Women’s Volleyball Preseason Poll (first place votes in parentheses):
- Rowan (6)
- Stockton (3)
- Kean
- Montclair State
- Rutgers-Camden
- William Paterson (dark horse)
- Ramapo
- NJCU
- Rutgers-Newark
ROWAN
The Profs have not lost a conference match since 2019, and with a strong balanced group of young players and a talented recruiting class, they look to make it difficult for conference opponents again in 2023. Head Coach Deana Jespersen credits the experience, drive, competitiveness, and enthusiasm in this group that is hungry for even more success this season.
Although Rowan loses the services of reigning NJAC Player of the Year Natalie Ogden to graduation, a trio of experienced players are expected to step up into leadership roles this year. Second Team All-Conference opposite hitter Isabel Kirchner returns. She was among the top 10 in the NJAC last year in blocks, rejecting 64 total, while contributing 2.10 points per set. Outside hitter Sydni Greenwood was also a force at the net, recording 53 blocks while adding 1.53 kills and 1.82 points per set. Vanessa Hutchinson will anchor the squad defensively upon the graduation of 2021 NJAC Defensive Player of the Year Simone Sparano. Hutchinson was among the top 20 in the conference with 2.31 digs per set last year and was tied for ninth with 46 service aces.
Newcomers to Watch:
Ciara Bradley (MH; Villa Maria Academy (PA))
Evalyn Vires (DS; Romeo (MI))
Antonia Ipeker (DS; Montgomery)
STOCKTON
Always in the hunt for a conference title, Head Coach Allison Walker’s Ospreys are loaded again this year with players returning at key positions plus a strong incoming class that gives this team immense depth. Walker is excited about a squad that will be big and physical at the net.
Four all-conference players are back, including reigning NJAC Rookie of the Year and First Team selection Kate Louer, along with two-time all-conference pick Emma Capriglione, Second Team honoree Teleyah Witherspoon, and honorable mention pick Aubrey Rentzel. Louer, an outside hitter, ranked sixth in the NJAC in kills (2.94/set) in her rookie season and was eighth in points (3.42/set) and in the top 15 in digs (2.54/set). Right side/outside hitter Capriglione was among the top in the NJAC in hitting percentage last year and setter Rentzel ranked fifth in aces (52) and eighth in assists (5.23/set).
Witherspoon is a force at the net, ranking second among NJAC players with 103 blocks last year to go along with 2.01 points per set. Defensive specialist Molly Eng is also back after ranking sixth in the NJAC in both digs (3.68/set) and service aces (51).
Newcomers to Watch:
Riley Wilson (RS; Cape Henlopen (DE))
Brooke O’Prandy (OH/RS; Cherokee)
Lauren Sommer (DS; Central York (PA))
KEAN
Head Coach Don Perkins’ squad boasts several key players returning after leading the Cougars to the NJAC championship match last year. He is confident they can match or exceed that effort this fall.
Two-time all-conference selection Anne Beckemeyer is back for her junior season. The middle hitter led the NJAC last season in blocks, averaging 1.07 per set and totaling 110 rejections. She also posted the sixth-highest hitting percentage (.254) and was among the top 15 in both points (3.21/set) and kills (2.36/set). She is joined by outside hitter Ashley Smith, a Second Team All-NJAC pick, who ranked eighth in the conference in kills (2.61/set), 10
th in points (3.09/set), and among the top 20 in digs (2.39/set).
Defensive specialist/libero Madi DeMartini will step up this year upon the graduation of 2022 NJAC Defensive Player of the Year Sian Seeger. DeMartini gained experience last year and chipped in 1.64 digs per set.
Newcomers to Watch:
Ashley Kingsley (OH; Fair Lawn)
Cayley Morrison (MH; Elizabeth)
Annabelle Valencia (DS/L; Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy (NY))
MONTCLAIR STATE
Having graduated a core senior class last season, MSU Head Coach Eddie Stawinski is looking to his young returning class to provide leadership and experience for the big group of incoming freshmen. He expects his rookies to contribute right away as they are one of the most talented recruiting classes in recent years. The Red Hawks open 2023 with a challenging schedule, testing the young group early in preparation for the always tough NJAC schedule.
Right side hitter Mia Capriglione was among the top blockers in the conference last year, ranking eighth with 68 blocks. She also chipped in 1.47 points per set. Outside hitter Skye Ramsey will step up this season after gaining experience last year and contributing 1.95 points and 1.68 kills per set to go with 16 blocks.
The Red Hawks are experienced defensively, with libero Emma Hatcher ranking fifth in the conference last year with 3.75 digs per set. Defensive specialist Katie Rodman was also among the top 16 in the NJAC in both digs (2.53/set) and aces (43).
Newcomers to Watch:
Rachel Curran (OH; Eastern University/Mountain Lakes)
Zoey Horn (MB; Galloway School (GA))
Gabriele Konrad (OH; Villa Maria Academy (PA))
Gianna Cefalu (S; Our Lady of Peace (CA))
RUTGERS-CAMDEN
The Scarlet Raptors are eager to contend this fall, with four returning starters and the return of 2021 NJAC Rookie of the Year Kaliyah Moss who missed 2022. Head Coach David Gurst believes his squad will be very competitive this season, especially if the newcomers can quickly assimilate into key positions.
In addition to earning the top rookie honor, Moss was also a 2021 NJAC First Team pick. She ranked in the top five in the conference in hitting percentage (.300), blocks (88; 0.87/set), and points (3.90/set), and ninth in kills (2.88/set) while chipping in 2.44 digs. Two-time all-conference honoree Erica Nebrich is back. The outside hitter was among the top 10 in the conference last year in kills (2.58/set) and points (3.07/set) while adding 2.19 digs.
Second Team middle blocker Isabella Choice returns as both an offensive and defensive threat. She was sixth in the conference in blocks with 74 total (0.70/set), while also ranking third in hitting percentage (.281), sixth in points (3.52/set), and seventh in kills (2.66/set). Defensive specialist Bella Craig saw action in 102 sets last year, scooping 1.86 digs per set.
Newcomers to Watch:
Joanna Andrews (S; Williamstown)
Mia Francis (MH; Cardinal Gibbons (FL))
WILLIAM PATERSON
The Pioneers feature a young but talented group that head coach Kevin Rodgers expects to be in the mix for an NJAC playoff spot this season.
Honorable Mention All-Conference libero Paola Molina will once again anchor the Pioneers defensively. She led all NJAC players with 4.73 digs per set last year and added 40 aces. Alongside Molina is defensive specialist Kiyarah Hicks, who gained experience last year with 87 sets played. She contributed 1.82 digs per set and recorded 27 aces.
Outside hitter Abigail Hayth looks to lead the offensive attack after putting up 2.04 points per set last year. She was fourth in the conference in aces (64; 0.65/set) and among the top 20 in digs (2.46/set), while chipping in 1.37 kills per set. Setter Alexa Jarvis also returns after ranking seventh in the NJAC last year with 5.61 assists per set.
Newcomers to Watch:
Rose Vail (OH/RS; Millersville University/Dulaney (MD))
Abby Houpt (S; Garnet Valley (PA))
Natalie Zabloudil (OH/RS; London (OH))
RAMAPO
Under the mentorship of first year head coach Fernando Colon, this year’s Ramapo squad will feature talented young players who should make an immediate impact. With last year’s top two offensive players graduated, there is room for anyone to step up this season and Colon expects his team to improve as the season progresses.
The Roadrunners return middle blocker Riley Stewart, who ranked fifth in the NJAC in hitting percentage last season (.267) and was among the top 15 in blocks with 43 total. Outside hitter Amanda Fatouh is back. Playing 75 sets last year, she averaged 1.82 points, 1.45 kills, and 1.03 digs to go with 22 aces. Setter Alexandra Sacchinelli returns after leading Ramapo with 4.12 assists per set last year, and Kayla Price is expected to step into the primary libero role this season after playing in reserve last year.
Newcomers to Watch:
Maliyah LaBrie (OH; Williams Field (AZ))
Karolina Rodriguez (MB; Capitán Correrá (PR))
NJCU
With last year’s core group graduated, Head Coach Jordan Robinson is also looking to his younger players to step in and take over the leadership roles. He is also expecting a strong group of newcomers to be in the mix for playing time.
Libero/setter Katrina Nguyendon returns this fall. She was third among all NJAC players with 68 aces (0.67/set) in 2022 while also ranking among the top 15 in digs (2.94/set). Outside hitter Brenda Gonzalez is also back; she was among the top 20 in both points (2.49/set) and kills (2.27/set) while chipping in 1.86 digs per set. Middle blocker/outside hitter Ashley Jimenez also looks to lead this year after posting 21 blocks last year and ranking in the top 10 in the conference with 46 aces.
Newcomers to Watch:
Carly Everett (L/DS; York Catholic (PA))
Brianna Melanson (MB; South Brunswick)
Kiley Juricisin (OH; Bayonne)
RUTGERS-NEWARK
Rutgers-Newark also has a new head coach this season in Sovanny Kon. Kon is excited about the new energy in the program between the new coaching staff, 11 rookies, and five transfers.
Several players do return from last year’s team, including outside hitter Kaiel Maynor. She was among the top 25 in points (2.10/set) and recorded 2.05 digs and 1.78 kills per set, respectively. Middle blocker Maryann Ijeh gained experience last year, seeing action in 29 sets and recording 1.14 points per set and nine total blocks in that time. Defensive specialist Arisa Khalaj also brings experience to this year’s squad, seeing 41 sets of action last year and scooping 1.46 digs per set.
Newcomers to Watch:
Shayla Moody (OH; Abington (PA))
Briana Gaviria (L; Watchung Hills)