Haverford, PA – Stockton University (1-0) began their 50th intercollegiate season at the Haverford Invitational in thrilling fashion, taking a five-set victory over Wheaton College (MA) (0-1). The scores were 25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 22-25, and 16-14.

Sophomore Nicole Palmer (East Islip, NY/East Islip), the reigning NJAC Player of the Year, led the Ospreys with a double-double of 20 kills and 11 digs in the match.

Stockton used balance to take the first set as Palmer, Teleyah Witherspoon (Hackensack/Hackensack) and Ashley Carkhuff (Hackettstown/Hackettstown) had three kills each. Palmer topped the squad with four more spikes in the second set, before Wheaton got untracked, taking the next two sets.

The fifth and final set for the match was tense, with the largest lead at 14-12 in favor of Stockton, as Palmer (four kills) and Jaylah Rolle (Williamstown/Williamstown) with three spikes, leading the way. After the Lyons knotted the set, Palmer had a kill, and an attack error on the following point gave Stockton the victory.

In addition to Palmer, Rileigh Wilson (Milton, DE/Cape Henlopen) added 11 kills, with Kate Louer (Clifton/Clifton) and Witherspoon chipping in with nine and eight kills, respectively.

Regan Mendick (Newark, DE/Red Lion Christian) and Kristen Burton (Millersville, MD/Archbishop Spalding) dished 26 and 25 assists, while Lauren Sommer (York, PA/Central York) led the backline with 14 digs. Rolle added match-high three blocks.

Stockton will finish the Invitational with a pair of matches tomorrow. The Ospreys will face host Haverford at 11 am, then will take on Lebanon valley College at 1:30 pm.