Stockton University’s women’s volleyball team secured the NJAC regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NJAC Tournament with a 3-1 victory over William Paterson University. This impressive win marked Stockton’s sixth consecutive triumph, solidifying their dominance in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standings. The Ospreys, with a record of 17-8 overall and a perfect 7-0 in NJAC, showcased their prowess on the court as they overcame the strong challenge posed by William Paterson, who entered the match with a commendable record of 19-5 overall and 4-3 in NJAC.

Stockton’s victory was a result of a remarkable team effort, with three Osprey players reaching double figures in kills. Leading the charge was Nicole Palmer from East Islip, N.Y., who recorded a match-high 16 spikes. She was well-supported by Kate Louer, hailing from Clifton, and Camille De La Torre from Lancaster, Pa., who each contributed 12 kills to the team’s tally. The Ospreys’ victory was not solely due to their offensive prowess. The team also showed off exceptional defensive skills and precise playmaking. Ashley Carkhuff, from Hackettstown, recorded a career-high 24 digs, displaying remarkable resilience in the backline. McKenna Ritchie, a standout from Newark, Del., added 19 digs to further bolster the team’s defense.

In terms of setting up the offensive plays, setters Aubrey Rentzel and Regan Mendick displayed their exceptional skills. Both from Delaware, Rentzel and Mendick each contributed 21 assists. Rentzel also showcased her serving abilities, delivering three aces throughout the match. The match unfolded in four intense sets, with Stockton demonstrating its mettle in each of them. They dominated the first set, clinching it with a score of 25-15 and an impressive team-hitting percentage of .312. Louer was instrumental in this set, tallying four kills.

The second set saw both Palmer and Louer leading the charge with four kills each, securing the set 25-18 for the Ospreys. However, Stockton’s bid for a clean sweep was thwarted in the third set, which William Paterson won by a close margin of 25-22. The fourth set was a nail-biter, with the score tied 13 times. The Ospreys faced significant resistance from William Paterson, who fended off four match points and took a late 28-27 lead. Nevertheless, Stockton displayed its resilience by rallying to claim three consecutive points, ultimately prevailing 30-28 to secure the match with a 3-1 victory. In this crucial fourth set, De La Torre and Palmer stepped up once again, contributing five kills each, while Carkhuff delivered ten crucial digs. While Stockton celebrated its victory, William Paterson put up a strong fight. Natalie Zabloudil and Cecilia Miller were instrumental, registering 14 and 10 kills, respectively. Abby Haupt made valuable contributions with 31 assists and 18 digs, while Paola Molina led all players with a match-high 29 digs.

With this hard-fought victory, Stockton University maintains its perfect NJAC record and earns the No. 1 seed for the upcoming NJAC Tournament. The team will continue its homestand by hosting 10th-ranked NYU on Friday at 4:00 p.m., aiming to carry their winning momentum into the next challenge.