August 28, 2007

NJCU SELECTED AS VOLLEYBALL
FAVORITE IN POLL OF LEAGUE'S HEAD COACHES

GOTHIC KNIGHTS SEEKING THEIR SECOND NJAC CROWN SINCE 2005

After capturing the championship of the ECAC Division III South Championship in 2006, New Jersey City University was selected as the 2007 preseason volleyball favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Gothic Knights, who posted a 33-8 overall record in 2006, are seeking their second conference crown since 2005.
 
Led by fourth-year head coach Christopher Feliciano, the Gothic Knights were selected to finish first on three-of-the-nine ballots cast by the league head coaches. Under Feliciano, NJCU has recorded an 89-22 overall record. The NJAC Champions in 2005, NJCU finished second in the conference in 2006 with a 7-1 league record before earning a postseason bid to the ECAC Division III South Tournament. NJCU return the reigning NJAC Female Athlete of the Year and two-time conference Volleyball Player of the Year in senior middle blocker Lizzelle Cintron. In addition, the Gothic Knights return another all-conference performer from their 2006 ECAC championship squad in  junior outside hitter Jacqueline LeBlanc.
 
Richard Stockton College, which captured the 2006 NJAC Championship and earned the league's automatic bid to the 2006 NCAA Tournament, was selected to place second and received five first-place votes. Led by 2006 NJAC Coach of the Year Allison Walker, the Ospreys posted a 26-9 overall record in their first season under Walker's leadership. Stockton returns a league-high three all-conference players from its 2006 NJAC championship squad in junior outside hitter Amanda Burkart, junior middle hitter Audrey O'Donnell, and junior setter Christine Aletras.

Ramapo College, which posted a 18-12 overall record in 2006, was selected to finish third and received one first-place vote. Under the leadership of third-year head coach Robert Pichardo, the Roadrunners have produced an overall mark of 31-22. Ramapo returns the 2006 NJAC Rookie of the Year in sophomore opposite hitter Kaitlin Smith.

Rutgers University-Newark, under the leadership of new Coordinator  of Volleyball Operations Karl France, was selected to place fourth. The Scarlet Raiders earned a postseason berth in the 2006 ECAC Division III South Tournament en route to a 23-12 overall record. Rutgers-Newark will return one all-conference player from its 2006 ECAC squad in senior middle hitter Julie Pape.

Montclair State University, which posted a 14-20 overall record in 2006 while advancing to the NJAC Tournament semifinals, was selected to place fifth and was tapped as the coaches' dark horse selection. The Red Hawks will be led by new first-year head coach Elise Cooper. Montclair returns one all-conference player in sophomore middle hitter Anna Chesnakova.

Kean University, led by 20th-year head coach Bridget White, was selected to place sixth. Under White's guidance, the Cougars have produced an overall mark of 340-272, including a record of 15-17 in 2006. 

Rowan University, led by sixth-year head coach Libby Ranero, was selected to place seventh. Ranero returned to the Profs' bench for her second stint at the helm of the Rowan program in 2006 and tallied a 6-18 overall record.

William Paterson University, which notched a 9-20 overall record in 2006, was selected to place eighth. Sandy Ferrarella, the longest-tenured NJAC volleyball coach, will return for her 29th season at the helm of the Pioneer program. Ferrarella has guided Paterson to a 477-303 overall mark during her tenure in Wayne.

Rutgers University-Camden, led by new first-year head coach Quan Nguyen, was selected to place ninth. The Scarlet Raptors return one all-conference player from a 2006 squad which finished 5-17 overall in sophomore middle hitter Marci Polite

The 26th season of NJAC volleyball will get under way on Friday, August 31 with two league teams in non-conference tournament action. Conference play will begin on Tuesday, September 11. The top six regular season finishers will advance to the NJAC Championship Tournament which will begin with first round action on Tuesday, October 30. The NJAC Tournament semifinals will be conducted on Thursday, November 1, and the league championship match will be played at the site of the highest remaining seed on Saturday, November 3. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.