Montclair, N.J. – The Montclair State volleyball team looks to punch its ticket to the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship match when they battle Stockton University Thursday evening.
First serve at the Stockton Sports Center in Galloway, N.J. is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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.
The fourth-seeded Red Hawks (21-9) knocked off fifth-seeded Ramapo College 25-17, 25-22, 25-16 in the first round of the tournament Tuesday evening. Sophomore outside hitters
LEAH HIGGINS and
CARLY WATERMAN combined for 27 kills in the win, while junior
SIYARA HERBERT led the way with 16 digs.
Waterman was tops on the Red Hawks this season, recording 366 digs while adding 291 digs. Rookie
MADDIE VALKO paced the defense with 406 digs and registered 35 service aces. The Red Hawk offense has been spread out, with five players recording 100 or more kills on the year. Fellow rookie
GIANNA ARIAS and senior
CAITLIN LANGE have been forces at the net, combining for 113.0 total blocks and 29 solo rejections.
The Ospreys have a balanced offense, with eight players recording 100 or more kills this season. They are led by 285 from Julie Kohlhoff and 259 from Charlotte Leon. Emily Sullivan has been a triple threat for Stockton, tallying 1,099 assists, 179 kills, and 300 digs.
Top-seeded Stockton (28-3) knocked off Montclair State 25-20, 14-25, 25-20, 25-18 in the previous meeting this season on October 15. The two sides have met in the NJAC tournament in 2016 and 2018, with Montclair earning wins in both contests. On the other side of the bracket, second-seeded Rowan University hosts third-seeded Kean University at Esby Gymnasium in Glassboro, N.J. at 7 p.m.
Montclair State is making its 27th appearance in the NJAC Tournament, and are 20-27 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.
