Submitted by Mark Mentone
Amanda Coccia (Rahway, N.J./Roselle Catholic) and MaryGrace Puryear (Cranford, N.J./Cranford High School) were members of the 2018 women’s volleyball team at Felician University.
Felician is affiliated with NCAA Division II and competes in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). The 2018 Golden Falcons posted an overall won-lost record of 13-18, nearly doubling the previous school record for victories, and finished in fourth place in the CACC North Division with an 8-11 league mark.
Felician reached the CACC Tournament for the first time since 2013. The Golden Falcons bowed out in the quarterfinals, 3-2, to eventual champion Holy Family University.
Coccia, a senior defensive specialist and team co-captain, played in 27 matches. In 80 sets, she accumulated 136 digs (1.70 per set) and six aces (0.07). Coccia will conclude her four-year Felician career with 697 digs in 106 matches, both totals among the top 10 in school history. She is a 2015 graduate of Roselle Catholic.
Puryear, a sophomore defensive specialist, amassed 241 digs, 50 assists, and 27 aces in 2018 after posting just 69 digs, 10 assists and nine aces as a freshman. Starting at libero, she recorded 30 digs in a four-set home win over Concordia College on September 14. Puryear is a 2017 graduate of Cranford High.
(above) Amanda Coccia (Rahway, N.J./Roselle Catholic)
(above) MaryGrace Puryear (Cranford, N.J./Cranford High School)
