Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State volleyball team opens up its appearance in the 2019 New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament on Tuesday. The Red Hawks earned the fourth seed and will host fifth-seeded Ramapo College at the Panzer Athletic Center with first serve set for 7:00 pm
Tickets for the match are $5 for general admission and $2 for students, children, and seniors. Due to NJAC regulations all tickets must be purchased.
Montclair State (20-9) topped Ramapo (13-6) 25-15, 25-20, 25-17 in the previous matchup this season. Sophomore outside hitter LEAH HIGGINS led the Red Hawk offense with 14 kills while freshman libero MADDIE VALKO recorded 22 digs over the three sets.
The two sides have met in the postseason five previous times with MSU holding a 3-2 advantage. Montclair has won the last two postseason affairs, including a 3-1 victory in the NJAC Championship match in 2016. Overall, the Red Hawk have a 29-10 record over Ramapo across all competitions.
Montclair is led on the offensive end by sophomore outside hitter CARLY WATERMAN and Higgins, who have 353 and 239 kills, respectively. Junior setter MEGAN O'ROURKE has dished out 969 assists, while junior outside hitter SIYARA HERBERT leads the team with 51 service aces. Valko leads the defense, picking up 400 digs while fellow rookie GIANNA ARIAS is tops with 68 blocks. Montclair State leads the NJAC with 70 service aces and are second with 47.0 total blocks during conference play.
Morgan Ridgway, who leads the way with 196 kills, paces the Roadrunners. Hannah Frascella and Stephanie Ross have 163, and 113 kills respectively, while Kate Shirkey has handed out 360 assists on the season. Defensively, Karina Almeda is tops on the Ramapo team with 428 digs, with Samantha Main has registered 36.0 blocks. The Roadrunners have limited their opponents to a .097 hitting percentage this season, and have averaged nearly 3.0 aces per set.
Montclair State is making its 27th appearance in the NJAC Tournament, and are 19-27 in tournament play. The Red Hawks, who have appeared in three of the last four championship matches, have won three titles – 1997, 2007, and 2016.
