PITMAN — Defending regular season champion Stockton picked up seven of the possible nine first place votes to be predicted to win the NJAC Women’s Volleyball title in 2024 based on preseason polling of the conference’s nine head coaches.
Kean garnered a first place vote and is predicted to finish second. William Paterson is predicted third and was voted this year’s dark horse team to watch. Rowan picked up the final first place vote and is slotted in fourth. Montclair State and Rutgers-Camden round out the top six predicted to qualify for the six-team conference tournament. Ramapo, Rutgers-Newark, and NJCU round out the preseason poll.
The season opens on Friday, Aug. 30, with all but two teams in action on day one. Rutgers-Newark opens on Saturday, Aug. 31, and Ramapo on Wednesday, Sept. 5.
The top six teams in the regular season NJAC standings will qualify for the conference tournament with a chance to win the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The conference tournament opens on Tuesday, Nov. 12, with the quarterfinals. The semifinals are set for Thursday, Nov. 14, while the championship game is slated for Saturday, Nov. 16.
2024 NJAC WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
(first place votes in parentheses)
- Stockton (7)
- Kean (1)
- William Paterson (dark horse)
- Rowan (1)
- Montclair State
- Rutgers-Camden
- Ramapo
- Rutgers-Newark
- NJCU
STOCKTON
Perennial contender Stockton will be right up there in the mix again. The defending regular season champions went 8-0 in league play last year and return nine starters from that squad. Among the returners are reigning NJAC Player of the Year Nicole Palmer, who earned the honor in just her rookie season. Palmer ranked in the top 11 in the conference in four categories, including fifth in kills (3.18/set), sixth in points (3.52/set), ninth in hitting percentage (.248), and 11th in blocks (0.59/set) - numbers that all increased against NJAC opponents. She is joined by two-time all-conference outside hitter Kate Louer, who posted 2.37 kills and 2.54 points per set last year to rank among the top 20 in the league. 2022 All-Conference selection Teleyah Witherspoon is back after posting the third-highest block average (1.11/set) in the NJAC last year and 11th-best hitting percentage (.230). McKenna Ritchie will anchor the defense as the libero ranked third in the NJAC in digs (4.17/set) last year, with defensive specialist Lauren Sommer also providing a spark with 1.51 digs per set.
Newcomers to Watch: Jalynn Grant (MH; North Penn HS (PA)), Jadyn Sawyer (RS; Lenape HS), Ashley Genau (DS; Damascus HS (MD))
Head Coach Allison Walker: “Stockton returns nine starters from last year's team. With everyone coming back healthy and with depth in each position, Stockton is looking toward competing for another NJAC championship.”
KEAN
With a strong returning group and a highly talented recruiting class, the Cougars are poised to contend for the NJAC title in 2024. Reigning NJAC Rookie of the Year and First Team honoree Cayley Elena Morrison returns for her sophomore season. The middle hitter ranked second in the NJAC in blocks (1.15/set) and hitting percentage (.360), fifth in points (3.59/set), and eighth in kills (2.83/set). All-NJAC Second Team selection Aspen O’Brien is back to run the offense as the setter posted the third-highest assist average (9.22/set) last year while adding 2.31 digs per set and a total of 44 service aces. Defensively, liberos Madeline Dohogne and Annabelle Valencia are key. Dohogne ranked in the top 10 in the conference in both digs (3.44/set) and aces (0.45/set) while Valencia contributed 2.12 digs per set.
Newcomers to Watch: Olivia Capra (OH; Tampa, FL/Bayshore Christian), Alondra Sanjurjo-Mercado (Utility Hitter; Richmond VA/Colonial Heights), Arianna Vargas (L/DS; Glendale, CA/Glendale HS), Kalea Miller (S; Honolulu, HI/Roosevelt HS)
Head Coach Don Perkins: “This team could be the greatest collection of talent I've had at Kean. We made our 12th consecutive NJAC semifinal last year, lost just one core player, and we expect to have 2022 All-American Anne Marie Beckemeyer and NJAC Player of the Week Aubre Adams return after early season-ending injuries last year. Then we bring in a group of talented freshmen from outstanding clubs across the country. We are excited to get started and let these great players push one another to improve every day, and hopefully the result is an NJAC title.”
WILLIAM PATERSON
The Pioneers are fresh off a terrific campaign that saw them finish 26-7 overall behind a largely rookie class in 2023. They have also elevated their non-conference schedule to include 10 NCAA Tournament qualifiers to be even more prepared for the NJAC slate. A big part of the success is outside hitter Cecilia Miller who, as a rookie, was a First Team All-Conference pick and led all NJAC players in kills (3.71) and points (4.26) per set. She was also among the top 10 in digs (2.98/set) and hitting percentage (.233). She was set up by classmate Abby Houpt, an all-conference setter who led the NJAC in assists (10.10/set) and was second in service aces (0.74/set). Anchoring the defense once again this year is reigning NJAC Defensive Player of the Year Paola Molina, a two-time all-conference selection who posted the second-highest dig average (4.86/set) in the NJAC last year.
Newcomers to Watch: Hope Arce-Reed (OH; West Virginia Wesleyan College), Taylor Grady (S; College of St. Rose), Makayda Aldrich (MB; Brooklyn Center HS (MN))
Head Coach Kevin Rodgers: “The William Paterson squad will have the toughest schedule it has ever had in school history. Ten teams on our schedule made the NCAA tournament and even more carried regional rankings. The hope is that the difficult competition throughout the season will better prepare us for postseason play as we return the majority of the 2023 starting lineup.”
ROWAN
The Profs look to improve upon last year’s record and with an experienced veteran core returning, should be able to do just that. All-NJAC First Team outside hitter Jena Kaul will once again lead the offensive attack. She posted the second-highest kill average (3.61/set) in the NJAC last year while also ranking third in points (4.01/set) and 13th in digs (2.75/set). She is joined by middle hitter Ciara Bradley, who posted 1.76 kills and 2.14 points per set. All-Conference libero Vanessa Hutchinson returns to anchor the defense after leading all NJAC players in digs per set (4.87) last year. She is joined by defensive specialist Nia Ipeker who was among the top 25 in the NJAC in digs as well (2.15/set).
Newcomers to Watch: Ava Best (MH; Parkland HS (PA)), Hutton Cordrey (OH; Pope John Paul HS), Abigail Chadwick (OPP; Emory & Henry College)
Head Coach Deana Jespersen: “There is a great mix of young competitive players in conjunction with seasoned veterans on this team. This team has grit and determination, and understands how to compete. We are looking forward to having the opportunity to compete for a conference title against some really great NJAC volleyball teams.”
MONTCLAIR STATE
The Red Hawks will be young but talented this coming season, with a core of senior leadership to guide them through. All-Conference outside hitter Rachel Curran returns after ranking sixth in the NJAC in kills (3.15/set), seventh in points (3.48/set), and 14th in digs (2.74/set) last year. Katie Rodman and Emma Hatcher are a pair of experienced liberos to anchor the MSU defense. Rodman ranked sixth in the NJAC in digs (3.81/set) and 16th in aces (0.41/set), while Hatcher ranked fifth in aces (0.54/set) and 17th in digs (2.39/set).
Newcomers to Watch: Camryn Muuss (OH; Parker, CO/Legend HS), Bryn Bautista (OH; Washington Twp. HS), Kasey Trzaska (OH; East Brunswick, HS)
Head Coach Eddie Stawinski: “The 2024 team consists of a younger group of players that will see significant playing time and big roles in both the offense and defense. Senior captains Rachel Curran, Katie Rodman, and Emily Carcich will provide their leadership and guidance to guide this group through a challenging schedule. We look forward to competing on a high level and see the growth and development of this group throughout the season.”
RUTGERS-CAMDEN
Rutgers-Camden looks to reload a bit with the loss of three all-conference players from last year’s squad. The Scarlet Raptors have an experienced setter in Avery Ang who led the squad with 5.30 assists per set while adding 1.70 digs. Kaitlyn Parrish also gained valuable experience last year and looks to step up into a leading offensive role. The middle blocker/right side hitter chipped in 1.26 kills per set while recording 43 total blocks. Libero Mia Owens anchors the squad defensively. She ranked seventh in the NJAC in digs per set last season (3.53).
Newcomers to Watch: Maria Theruviparambil (West Windsor-Plainsboro HS South), Gabby Gbolahan (Austin, TX/James Bowie HS)
Head Coach David Gurst: “We will need the returners to take the next step as we replace three players who have earned postseason honors. The incoming freshmen should be able to step in and contribute.”
RAMAPO
The Roadrunners welcome new head coach Tyler Kwinta, who will lead a young squad that does include a few veterans from last year’s 25-2 team that won the NJAC title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Opposite hitter Riley Stewart returns with that NCAA experience. She saw action in 77 sets last year with a total of 61 kills and 32 blocks, and aims to step up into a bigger offensive role this season. Amanda Fatouh will take up the primary defensive role thiis season after seeing action in 60 sets and registering 1.37 digs per set.
Newcomers to Watch: Jasmine Rolle (Williamstown HS), Gianna Scillia (Bergen Community College)
Head Coach Tyler Kwinta: “We are a young team with a lot of potential. We’re looking forward to a very competitive season!”
RUTGERS-NEWARK
The Scarlet Raiders will build upon the experience gained last season with all but one starter returning from that squad. Offensively, outside hitter Elvin Karakiya is expected to step up into a bigger role this season after chipping in 1.08 kills and 1.49 points. She also ranked second on the team last year with 2.60 digs per set. Maryann Ijeh returns and is a force at the net as the middle blocker ranked eighth in the NJAC in blocks per set last year (0.71).
Newcomers to Watch: Jaedyn Simba-Malasarte (L; Las Vegas, NV/Palo Verde HS), Taylor White (OH; Columbus HS)
Head Coach Sovanny Kon: “We have all starters returning except for one senior. They have a full year of learning defensive and offensive systems, so are looking forward to making a bigger impact in the NJAC this fall season. We are excited for our new recruits to give energy and immediate minutes on the court.”
NJCU
The Gothic Knights look to expand upon the experience gained last year, with a few key returners providing the leadership heading into the 2024 campaign. The squad returns leading scorer in outside hitter Brenda Gonzalez, who ranked in the top 20 in the NJAC in both points (2.58/set) and kills (2.34/set). She is joined at the net by middle blocker Brianna Melanson who posted a team-best .217 hitting percentage last year. On the defensive side, libero Carly Everett returns for her sophomore season. As a rookie, she ranked fourth among all NJAC players with 4.00 digs per set. Marina Millet also provides a defensive spark as the outside hitter ranked among the top 20 in the NJAC in digs per set (2.48) while chipping in 1.14 kills and 1.45 points per set.
Newcomers to Watch: Keyanni Overstreet (S; Sabine Pass HS (TX)), Jaelyn Martinez (MB; Lake Gibson HS (FL))
Head Coach Jordan Robinson: “After a tough season campaign last year, we are expecting to have a rebound season. We return some key players to the lineup in senior outside hitter Brenda Gonzalez and sophomore standout Carly Everett at libero. With the experience this young squad gained last season with the three new additions that are coming in this fall, I am looking forward to stabilizing this team and getting the program back on track.”