Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (8-6, 1-2 NJAC) opened a stretch of five straight home matches with a 3-1 setback to Ramapo (12-3, 3-0). The Ospreys got off to a strong start but could not sustain the momentum and fell 14-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23.
 
Stephanie Kovacs (Allentown, PA/Central Catholic) led Stockton with a team-high 11 kills followed by Sarah Walsh (Flemington/Hunterdon Central) with a double-double of 10 kills and 15 digs. Freshman Franceska Gustave (Edgewater/Leonia) contributed a career-high eight kills plus a match-high six blocks for the Ospreys.
 
Emily Sullivan (Bridgewater/Bridgewater-Raritan) dished 19 assists and added eight digs while Natalie Miller (Pittsburgh, PA/Thomas Jefferson) scooped a team-high 18 digs.
 
Stockton came out strong and dominated the first set. After building a 15-11 lead, the Ospreys ran away by closing the stanza with a 10-3 run to win 25-14. Walsh led the way with three kills and three blocks.
 
Ramapo opened up an 11-6 lead in the second set but Stockton battled back to forge a 15-15 tie. The rally stalled as the Roadrunners scored three straight points for an 18-15 count and later scored six of the last seven counters to even the match, 25-19.
 
The Ospreys fell behind again in set number three before using a 6-1 run to pull ahead 13-12. Stockton was in front 17-15 and then behind 20-18 as the teams exchanged the lead. A block by Gustave evened the set at 22-22, however Ramapo reeled off three straight points to take the lead in the match, 25-22.
 
In the fourth set, the margin was two or less until Stockton scored four straight points for a 19-16 advantage. The Ospreys later led 22-18 and were in position to force a fifth set when Ramapo used a 7-1 spurt to clinch the decision 25-23.
 
Larisa Iwaskiw, the reigning NJAC Player of the Year, led the Roadrunners with match highs of 21 kills and 19 digs. Karina Almeda chipped in with 18 digs and six kills. Kate Shirkey dished 17 assists.
 
Stockton will host Rowan on Thursday at 7 pm.