Nothing Rookie About This Season: OCC Women's Volleyball Team Making Its Mark

Usually when a college sports program is just starting out, the first year or so can be rough. Many teams take their lumps, knowing that brighter days are ahead.

For the Ocean County College women’s volleyball team, those brighter days are right now. The Vikings, in their first season, have muscled their way to the front of the Garden State Athletic Conference crowd, losing just one match so far.

In its iaugural season, under the direction of head coach Brett Killman and assisted by Jennifer Kelemen, OCC has lost just five games across its 16 matches as it has compiled a 15-1 record, after its 3-0 victory over Raritan Valley Community College on Saturday. The Vikings won their first 12 matches before dropping a 3-0 match to Region Ix leader Northampton Community College on Oct. 4.

The Vikings are in second place in Region XIX, behind Northhampton Community College, which is 29-1.

The roster full of freshmen has shown persistence on the court, with middle blocker Elizabeth Kolesar leading the way. The team captain, she is ranked in the top 10 in eight statistical categories within Division III, with 124 kills, averaging 2.88 kills per set, hitting .300 on the year, and is the Vikings’ leader in blocks with 53 (23 solo). She was named Region XIX player of the week for Sept. 30 for her efforts.

Other key players for the Vikings include April Szymczyk, another middle blocker, who has been hitting .422 on the year and is a strong support with kills (101) and blocks (40/14 solo). Outside hitters Brandy Binkley and Amanda Murray have been solid with both digs and kills, with 73 digs for Binkley and 85 for Murray. Alexandra Mroczek is the team’s leading setter, assisting on 297 points as well as leading the team in service aces with 44.

With an undefeated record so far in the GSAC, the Vikings are headed for the playoffs -- a heady accomplishment in their rookie season.

To follow their journey, check out the team’s page on the Region XIX website.