September 2, 2004

RICHARD STOCKTON PICKED AS VOLLEYBALL FAVORITE
IN POLL OF LEAGUE'S HEAD COACHES

OSPREYS SEEKING FIRST CONFERENCE TITLE SINCE 2000

After finishing the 2003 season with a 20-12 overall record after advancing to the NJAC Tournament Championship Match, Richard Stockton College has been selected as the preseason volleyball favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Ospreys, who last captured an NJAC volleyball championship in 2000, are seeking their fourth league title since the inception of the NJAC championship back in 1982.

Richard Stockton was selected to finish first on four of the eight ballots from the league’s head coaches. Under the direction of 6th-year head coach Eric Illjes, the Ospreys have posted an overall record of 105-72. Stockton tallied a perfect 8-0 conference regular season record in 2003 and earned the top seed in the NJAC Tournament. The Ospreys return two all-conference players in junior outside hitter Whitney Verduin and junior setter Kate Hahn.

Rutgers University-Newark, the defending NJAC Champions, were selected to finish second in the poll and received three first place votes among the eight ballots cast. Under the direction of 2003 NJAC Coach of the Year Sean Byron, the Scarlet Raiders recorded a 25-9 en route to the NJAC title and an appearance in the NCAA National Tournament. Newark returns two all-conference players in junior setter Sheena Eldred, and junior outside hitter Melissa Strom.

Rowan University placed third in the poll. The Profs finished the 2003 campaign with an 18-8 overall record after advancing to the semifinal round of the NJAC Tournament. Rowan will be guided by first-year head coach Lori Staszewski. The 2002 NJAC Player of the Year, Staszewski inherits a team that returns the NJAC Rookie of the Year in sophomore Lauren Haney.

William Paterson was selected to finish fourth in the poll and received one first place vote. Under the guidance of 26th-year head coach Sandy Ferrarella, the Pioneers have posted an overall record of 422-262. Paterson returns one all-conference player in junior outside hitter Lauren Shears.

Kean University was selected to finish fifth. With an overall record of 305-219, 17th-year head coach Bridget White has led the Cougars to six NJAC Championships since the conference’s inception.

Ramapo College was selected to finish seventh. The coaches’ dark horse selection, the Roadrunners are under the direction of second-year head coach Brett Killman.

Rutgers University-Camden was selected to place eighth. The Scarlet Raptors are led by fifth-year head coach Joe Gillespie.

The top six regular season finishers will advance to the 2004 NJAC Championship Tournament. The first and second-seeded teams will receive first round tournament byes.

The first round of the 2004 NJAC Tournament will take place on November 2. The tournament semifinals will be held on November 4, and the 2004 NJAC champion will be crowned at the conference championship match on November 6. All tournament matches will be held at the site of the highest seed. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.