Wayne, N.J. – Stockton University (13-5, 3-2 NJAC) got off to a great start but was unable to sustain the momentum and fell to William Paterson (12-7, 3-1 NJAC) by a 3-1 score. The teams entered the match as half of a four-way tie for first place in the conference.
 
Kate Louer (Clifton/Clifton) tied her season high with 16 kills to top three Ospreys in double figures. Nicole Palmer (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) and Rileigh Wilson (Milton, Del./Cape Henlopen) spiked 11 and 10 kills respectively.
 
Regan Mendick (Newark, Del./Red Lion Christian) dished 20 assists and Kristen Burton (Millersville, Md./Archbishop Spalding) contributed 14 assists. McKenna Ritchie (Newark, Del./Newark Charter) paced the back row with 11 digs.
 
Stockton dominated the first set 25-17 with 16 kills and just three hitting errors for a .438 hitting percentage. The Ospreys jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the second set but faltered from there, dropping the stanza 25-21 followed by a 25-16 setback in the third frame.
 
Trying to extend the match, Stockton led 14-11 and 21-18 in the fourth set, however the Ospreys were caught from behind for a 23-23 tie. A kill by Wilson gave Stockton set point at 24-23, but the Pioneers scored the next three markers to edge the Ospreys 26-24.
 
Stockton will play a tri-match in New York City on Saturday, facing Mount St. Vincent at noon and then #22-ranked NYU at 2:30 p.m.