NJCU posted a 26-8 overall record in 2005 and captured the regular season title with a perfect 7-0 conference mark. The Gothic Knights then posted two NJAC Tournament victories to capture not only their first conference volleyball championship, but the first NJAC title for any women’s sport in school history.

Led by third-year head coach Christopher Feliciano, the Gothic Knights have accumulated an overall record of 56-14 during his tenure. Feliciano’s squad, which received all nine of the coaches’ first place votes, returns a pair of all-conference players including the 2005 NJAC Co-Player of the Year in junior middle blocker Lizzelle Cintron, and the reigning conference Rookie of the Year in sophomore outside hitter Jacqueline LeBlanc.

Rutgers University-Newark, led by seventh-year head coach Sean Byron, was selected to place second. The 2003 NJAC Champions return a pair of all-conference players from a 2005 squad which finished 19-7 overall including senior setter Sheena Eldred and junior outside hitter Allison Becker. Under the direction of Byron, the Scarlet Raiders have accumulated 102 victories.

Led by new head coach Allison Walker, Richard Stockton College was selected to place third. In 2005, the Ospreys advanced to the championship match of the NJAC Tournament for the third consecutive year and finished the season with a 27-9 overall mark while earning a bid to the ECAC postseason tournament. Stockton returns a pair of all-conference performers from 2005 including sophomore outside hitter Amanda Burkart, and the reigning NJAC Defensive Player of the Year in senior libero Colleen Bachmann.

Kean University, under the leadership of 19th-year head coach Bridget White, was selected to place fourth. During White’s tenure in Union, the Cougars have accumulated an overall mark of 325-255. Kean returns one all-conference player from its 2005 squad in senior outside hitter Elizabeth Bauer.

Montclair State University, led by second-year head coach Karin Harvey, was selected to place fifth. Harvey guided the Red Hawks to a 10-15 overall record in her rookie campaign of 2005.

William Paterson University, led by the dean of NJAC volleyball coaches in 28th-year head coach Sandy Ferrarella, was selected to place sixth. During her tenure in Wayne, Ferrarella has accumulated an overall record of 468-283. In 2005, she guided the Pioneers to a 22-11 overall record and an appearance in the semifinals of the NJAC Tournament.

Under the direction of second-year head coach Robert Pichardo, Ramapo College was selected to place seventh. Pichardo guided the Roadrunners to a 13-10 overall record and an appearance in the NJAC Tournament in 2005.

The coaches’ dark horse selection, Rowan University, was selected to place eighth. The 2004 NJAC Champions did not sponsor a varsity team in 2005, but will return to competition in the NJAC this season. The Profs will be led by returning head coach Libby Ranero, who guided Rowan to 41 victories during a previous four-year coaching stint in Glassboro.

Rutgers University-Camden, which will be led by first-year head coach Carl Taylor, was selected to place ninth. In 11 seasons at the helm of the Scarlet Raptor softball team, Taylor has guided Camden to 218 victories and the 2006 NCAA National Championship.

NJAC league play will get underway on Tuesday, September 12 with eight conference teams in action.

The top six regular season finishers will advance to the 2006 NJAC Championship Tournament, with all matches played at the site of the highest seed. The NJAC Tournament first round will take place on Tuesday, October 31, with the first and second-seeded team receiving byes. The league semifinals will be held on Thursday, November 2, and the 2006 NJAC Championship Match will take place on Saturday, November 6.

The NJAC Tournament Champion receives the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA National Championship Tournament.