MAYS LANDING — After falling short of expectations last season, the Atlantic Cape Community College women’s volleyball team is setting its sights on returning to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) playoffs in 2025.
With a team comprised of only one returning sophomore student-athlete from the 2024 squad, this year’s squad will be relying upon youthful exuberance from 10 freshmen, a strong defensive presence and a determination to play up their promise.
“Last season was disappointing because, even though talent-wise we should have, we did not make the playoffs,” said Head Coach Karla Maisto (right), who returns along with assistant coach Josh Concepcion. “This year we basically have a whole new team with one returning from last year, one from 2023 and 10-11 newcomers. This is usually problematic, but we have real solid freshmen student-athletes.”
Two sophomores, Victoria Bollo and Laziah Wilson, will help lead the way forward on the court with their experience and tenacity.
Bollo (left), a middle hitter who is the only returnee on this year’s roster, led the way statistically as the team’s top hitter last season. Wilson (below), also a middle hitter, is returning to the team after a year away. In 2023, she led the team with 43 blocks. Both Bollo and Wilson are dynamic and powerful servers capable to producing aces with regularity.
Maisto will be counting on an inexperienced roster that is built to compete through its strong defensive play and an ethos that it’s defense that ultimately wins championships.
Among the team’s core of freshmen student-athletes, outside hitters Yariliz Flores and Alexandra Ditzel are expected to shine as two of the team’s most consistent all-around players. Emerging as the team’s new setter and a potential key to its success is Keona Estaris, an Egg Harbor Township High School 2024 graduate who did not play last season.
Additional newcomers to the team in 2025 are opposite hitters Chloe Kruse, Nicole Moyano and Sarah Hoffman; liberos Yanitza Visciglia and Madison Wimbish; outside hitter Anastasia Lopez and defensive specialist Grace Macedo.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/womensvolleyball for schedule, results, and student-athlete and coaches bios.
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 34 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.
