THREE OSPREYS RECEIVE NJAC WEEKLY AWARDS

Christine Velott

Ashley Gubista

Jess McQuillen

Three Richard Stockton players received NJAC weekly awards for their efforts in the NJAC playoffs. After leading Stockton to its fourth straight NJAC championship,

Christine Velott (Moorestown/Moorestown) was named NJAC Volleyball Player of the Week and Ashley Gubista (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) was chosen NJAC Volleyball Rookie of the Week. Jess McQuillen (Tabernacle/ Seneca) was selected NJAC Offensive Player of the Week in women’s soccer as well.

Velott totaled 21 kills, 12 digs, two aces and two blocks in Stockton’s two NJAC tournament victories. The senior notched 10 kills, five digs one ace and one block in a semifinal victory over Rutgers-Camden on November 3.

Velott then registered a team-high 11 kills, seven digs, one block and one ace to finish with four NJAC titles in her four seasons at Stockton as the Ospreys defeated Ramapo in the league championship match.

Gubista missed Stockton’s NJAC semifinal victory over Rutgers-Camden due to a shoulder injury but returned in time to collect a match-high 16 digs in the league championship. The freshman libero earned NJAC Rookie of the Week honors for the fifth time this season.

Gubista, the only freshman to start for the Ospreys this year, ranks second in the league in digs (5.15 dps) and Velott is seventh in hitting percentage (.215).

As the NJAC champion, Stockton (25-8) earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and drew Emory University (34-4), which is ranked second in the nation, for its first-round opponent at Christopher Newport University (VA) on Friday.

McQuillen carried Stockton into the NJAC women’s soccer championship match by scoring three goals and dishing one assist to lead the Ospreys to a 4-3 upset of #21 Rowan in the semifinals.

The junior not only played a part in every goal, but she also did all of the scoring in a 21-minute span as Stockton rallied from an early 2-0 deficit. McQuillen registered Stockton’s only two shots against College of New Jersey in the NJAC championship and nearly tied the match with a blast that was stopped by a TCNJ defender.

McQuillen leads the Ospreys with four assists and ranks second on the team in goals (8) and points (20). She also is tied for the team lead with three game-winning goals. Stockton has posted a 13-6-4 record and is expected to receive an invitation to the ECAC Metro tournament.