PITMAN — Rutgers-Newark received all four first-place votes and is unanimously predicted to six-peat as NJAC men's volleyball champions in 2026.
Kean is predicted second, NJCU was voted this year's dark horse selection and is predicted third, and Ramapo rounds out the four teams.
The Scarlet Raiders return a strong core from a team that won its fifth consecutive NJAC title last season. The conference looks to be very competitive once again this year with a number of all-conference honorees returning at all four programs.
2026 NJAC Men's Volleyball Preseason Poll (first place votes in parentheses):
- Rutgers-Newark (4)
- Kean
- NJCU (dark horse)
- Ramapo
RUTGERS-NEWARK
The Scarlet Raiders return a solid core from a team that won its fifth consecutive NJAC title. Reigning NJAC Rookie of the Year Massimo Roco returns for his sophomore season after earning First Team All-Conference honors as a freshman. The middle blocker led the NJAC in blocks last year (0.89 per set), was second in the conference in hitting percentage (.391), and third in service aces. Opposite hitter Aleks Kolodziej is back for his junior season after earning All-Conference honors for the second consecutive year. He was among the top 10 players in the NJAC last year in kills, points, service aces, and hitting percentage. Sophomore outside hitter Michael Suarez returns after finishing seventh in the NJAC last year in both kills (2.87/set) and points (3.23/set).
The Scarlet Raiders will turn to Colin Stevens to replace the services of NJAC Player of the Year Derek Au at the setter position. Stevens comes to Rutgers-Newark from Division I Sacred Heart University.
Newcomers to Watch: Colin Stevens (GR; Setter; Avon, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy/Sacred Heart University), Adrian Marke (FR; Middle Blocker; Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge)
Head Coach Aidan Albrecht: "While still young, the Scarlet Raiders are looking to build off a successful 2025 season. Rutgers-Newark is excited to compete this year in the competitive NJAC."
KEAN
Kean returns a core group looking to improve this season. The Cougars have two-time reigning NJAC Defensive Player of the Year Tyler Quinn, who earned First Team All-Conference honors for the second straight season. The junior libero led all NJAC players with 2.89 digs per set last year. He is joined by senior outside hitter Chris Mitchell, who earned First Team All-Conference honors as a right side hitter last season. Mitchell was third in the NJAC last year in both kills (4.04/set) and points (4.52/set) and seventh in hitting percentage.
Newcomers to Watch: Jake Spring (FR; Outside Hitter; Lake Grove, NY/Sachem North), Tonio Guglietta (FR; Right Side; Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood)
Head Coach Bez Arslani: "The team is eager to get the season underway and brings a strong sense of urgency and maturity into the year. With the majority of the roster made up of seniors, this group is polished, experienced, and battle tested. Their leadership has been evident throughout the preseason, as they have taken responsibility for setting the standard and teaching the newcomers what it takes to compete and perform at a high level. Expectations are high, and this veteran led squad is focused on making the most of every opportunity this season."
NJCU
NJCU looks to continue building on its success as a program. Two-time First Team All-Conference selection Marcus Pardasie returns for his junior season. The outside hitter led the NJAC in both points (4.93/set) and kills (4.39/set) last year, and was fourth in hitting percentage (.313), fifth in digs (2.17/set), and ninth in aces. He is joined at the net by sophomore outside hitter Matthew Peralta, who was among the top 10 in the NJAC in five different categories last year including top five in points (3.46/set) and kills (2.98/set). Senior setter Alex Casais is back to run the offense after earning Honorable Mention All-Conference honors last season. Casais was second in the NJAC with 10.23 assists per set and was also among the top 10 in service aces.
Newcomer to Watch: Alaittim De Leon (FR; Middle Blocker; Santiago, Dominican Republic/Harrison HS (NJ))
Head Coach Carlo Edra: "Our team chemistry is our biggest weapon. This group of guys genuinely enjoy each other and the work we are putting in. We return every starter from last season while improving our depth in each position."
RAMAPO
Ramapo welcomes new head coach Tyler Kwinta to lead a Roadrunner squad that lost all-conference players JoJo Meyer (setter) and Reece Kirchofer (outside hitter) to graduation. He will lean on the leadership of team captains Jan Tracz and Caleb Ford. Tracz, a sophomore middle blocker, led the NJAC last year in both hitting percentage (.391) and service aces (0.47/set) and was fifth in blocks (0.65/set). Ford, a junior middle blocker, was third in the NJAC in blocks last year (0.70/set). Junior libero Sean McNally also returns after finishing fourth in the NJAC in digs last year (2.41/set).
Newcomer to Watch: Sebastian Rodriguez (JR; Outside Hitter; Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro HS/Dominican University)
Head Coach Tyler Kwinta: "We're excited for the season and the opportunity to compete. We have a hungry group that's learning, growing, and buying into the process every day. They're committed to getting better, competing hard, and showing what Ramapo men's volleyball is all about."