Galloway, N.J. – Stockton University (21-10) advanced to the NJAC championship match by outlasting William Paterson (25-6) 3-1 in four close sets. The Ospreys took the first two sets 25-21 and 25-23, then dropped the third 25-21 before prevailing 29-27 in a lengthy final frame.
On the day she was announced as NJAC Player of the Year,
Nicole Palmer (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) led Stockton with 19 kills, one off her career high.
Kate Louer (Clifton/Clifton) spiked a season-high 15 kills for the Ospreys.
Rileigh Wilson (Milton, Del./Cape Henlopen) also reached double figures with 11 kills. Setters
Aubrey Rentzel (York, Pa./Central York) and
Regan Mendick (Newark, Del./Red Lion Christian) dished 24 and 22 assists respectively. Mendick also tallied 11 digs.
Defensively,
McKenna Ritchie (Newark, Del./Newark Charter) scooped a match-high 20 digs and
Jaylah Rolle (Williamstown/Williamstown) tied for match-high honors with six blocks. Ritchie handed out seven assists as well.
After falling behind 6-2 in the first set, Stockton raced ahead with a 12-3 run on the way to a 25-21 win behind four kills by Louer. The second frame was close, with 13 ties and nine lead changes. The Ospreys trailed 23-22 before scoring three straight, including two on kills by Palmer, for a 25-23 triumph.
Stockton stumbled to an 11-2 deficit in the third set and never threatened, falling 25-21 despite six kills by Palmer. The Ospreys built a 16-10 lead in the fourth set but saw the advantage evaporate, setting up a thrilling finish.
Stockton fended off a set point at 24-23 on a kill by Mendick and another at 25-24 before reaching match point at 26-25. William Paterson then fought off two match points and the teams were tied at 27. The Ospreys finally prevailed on kills by Wilson and Louer to clinch the victory, 29-27. Louer smacked seven kills in the fourth set.
Cecilia Miller paced the Pioneers with a match-high 22 kills plus 18 digs. Natalie Zabloudil added 17 kills and five blocks while setter Abby Houpt finished with 54 assists and 16 digs.
Stockton, the No. 1 seed, will host No. 2 seed Ramapo College in the NJAC championship match on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The Ospreys will be seeking the program's 15th NJAC title.
