Morgan Ritchie Named 2023 CACC VB POY; All-Conference Teams Announced
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (November 14, 2023) -- Thomas Jefferson University standout Morgan Ritchie on Tuesday was named the 2023 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women's Volleyball Player of the Year, as announced by Commissioner Dan Mara. Ritchie, who also earned First-Team All-CACC honors as an outside hitter, was voted into both honors by the league's 12 head coaches in the sport.
In addition to Ritchie, University of Bridgeport had a trio of major award winners including Hailey Jessen (CACC Rookie of the Year), Jaden Drollinger (CACC Defensive Player of the Year) and Gary Mullin (CACC Coach of the Year). Wilmington University's Elly Collins was named CACC Defensive Player of the Year and Goldey-Beacom College was tabbed the CACC Team Sportsmanship Award winner.
Ritchie ranks second in the CACC in kills (405), kills/set (4.09), points (449) and points/set (4.5). She logged double-digit kills in all but four matches and topped 20-plus kills in six matches. Ritchie also posted 13 double-doubles of kills-digs in matches during the regular season.
Jessen leads the CACC in kills (512) and kills/set (4.27). She posted four double-doubles and had double-figures in kills in all but three matches. Jessen hit .250 during the regular season. Jessen was also named to the All-CACC First Team at outside hitter.
Both Ritchie and Jessen were masterful in helping to guide their respective teams to the South and North Division regular season championships.
Collins leads the CACC in digs (602) and digs/set (5.47). Her 590 receptions were sixth highest in the conferance. Collins was also named to the All-CACC First Team as libero.
Drollinger leads the CACC in assists (1,231), assists/set (10.34) and service aces (68). She was named a First-Team All-CACC selection at setter.
Mullin has guided the Purple Knights to 23-7 overall record and 15-1 mark in league play to earn the No. 1 overall seed entering this week's CACC Volleyball Championship tournament.
Morgan Ritchie (Thomas Jefferson University)
Hailey Jessen (University of Bridgeport)
Elly Collins (Wilmington University)
Jaden Drollinger (University of Bridgeport)
Gary Mullin (University of Bridgeport)
Goldey-Beacom College
L Elly Collins (Wilmington University)
S Jaden Drollinger (University of Bridgeport)
OH Hailey Jessen (University of Bridgeport)
OH Jess Molen (Thomas Jefferson University)
OH Morgan Ritchie (Thomas Jefferson University)
MB Shannen Litten (Wilmington University)
MB Lucia Tomiello (University of Bridgeport)
L Cameron Johnson (Thomas Jefferson University)
S Caroline Bond (Thomas Jefferson University)
OH Caley Harper (Post University)
OH Karla Maldonado (Felician University)
OH Nylene Mateo (Georgian Court University)
MB Ava Kidd (Holy Family University)
MB Chelsea Ross (Georgian Court University)
L Miquela Martinez (Felician University)
S Mia Caporellie (Chestnut Hill College)
OH Kaitlyn Carr (Dominican University)
OH Rachel Mace (Chestnut Hill College)
OH Datari Mathis (University of Bridgeport)
MB Aaliyah Ellis (Dominican University)
MB Amiyah Woods (Georgian Court University)
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference composed of 12 institutions in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The member institutions are Bloomfield College, University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican (N.Y.) University, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.