MAYS LANDING – The Atlantic Cape Community College Buccaneers women’s volleyball team enters the 2026 season seeking a return to playoff contention in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Region 19 Division III after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Head Coach Karla Maisto, who is entering her fifth season at the helm alongside assistant coach Josh Conception, is optimistic about the potential upside that this year’s squad possesses.
“We’re excited for this season because, despite lacking size again, we have a ton of ball control. Because of this we are now able to effectively run more complicated drills in practice, plus our hitters have started to become more disciplined on their swings,” said Maisto, who conceded that ball control, on–court hustle, strong serving and a tight–knit bond within the team will be critical towards overcoming their lack of height.
With five returning sophomores, it will be important that the experiences gained from last year’s rough season are remedied. Laying a solid foundation for the four incoming freshmen student–athletes is a critical building block for the future.
Leading the way in 2026 will be middle hitter Rainelle Blocker, a two–sport student–athlete from Clayton, NJ who also excelled in basketball last year, earning Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Player of the Year, All-GSAC First Team and All-Region 19 First Team as well as a NJCAA All–American honorable mention recipient.
Blocker is being counted by Maisto to be the team’s strongest blocker and hitter while relying on her heavily for offense.
“Rainelle is just an incredible athlete, who has picked up on every nuance of volleyball very quickly. Her hitting and blocking form are amazing, she just needs to be more consistent in her timing. If she had started playing in high school, she would absolutely be able to compete at the Division I level by now. She amazes everyone on a daily basis and we’re so happy to have her back for another year,” said Maisto.
Outside hitter Yariliz Flores, a Hammonton, NJ resident whom Maisto claims has a fantastic set of hands, will be called upon to assist Blocker in generating offense for the team.
Middle hitter Chloe Kruse, also from Hammonton, NJ, is ready and willing to step into whatever position the team needs to fill this year.
Another resident of Hammonton, NJ, opposite hitter Nicole Moyano’s versatility will make her an asset at any position in the front row. Libero and defensive specialist Yanitza Visciglia of Egg Harbor City will be pressed into split duty this year between libero and defensive specialist.
The Buccaneers freshman foursome of student–athletes will be counted on to anchor the core of the team’s future while learning the ropes in year one.
Outside hitter Angelina Previti of Mays Landing, NJ will aid Blocker in being the Buc’s other go–to hitter. Previti demonstrates a great ability to save balls, and is willing and able to change her approach, which has led to an improvement in her game, according to Maisto.
Opposite hitter Charlotte DeLeon of Folsom, NJ has the potential to be a top hitter on the squad and Maisto is expecting good things from her in 2026 as she gains more experience.
Setter Gianna Lee of Egg Harbor City, NJ brings positional experience from her high school playing career. Maisto envisions Lee setting all around the court this year, from back row and front row.
Libero and outside hitter Genesis Lopez of Pleasantville, NJ is expected to split her time between the two positions with Visciglia. Maisto is open to the possibility of having Lopez hitting in the front row with her ability put some pace on the ball in the direction she wants.
Coupled with making a return to the NJCAA’s Region 19 playoffs in 2026, Maisto has designs of seeing her student–athletes become better all–around players on the court and students in the classroom.
“We are really hoping to emphasize that each of our student–athletes strive to be elite in every position on the court as well as inside the classroom,” said Maisto.
The Buccaneers begin the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, 1 p.m. at the County College of Morris. The Buccaneers will open the home portion of its schedule on Monday, September 14, 6 p.m. when they host Salem Community College at Jonathan Pitney Gymnasium on the Mays Landing campus.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/womensvolleyball to view the team roster, coaches, game schedule and results.
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About Atlantic Cape Community College
Established in 1964, Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States-accredited, Hispanic-serving institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and 34 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City, and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and to its highly acclaimed Nursing program for more than 60 years. 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.
