Veteran Roadrunner Volleyball Coach Rebecca Pierson closed out the greatest era of success in program history when she announced her decision to resign this week -- but it was a decision that she delayed for nearly a year.

And was she glad she did. Had she taken action, she and her team would have missed out on school history.

That's when the Runners this past season went on to win a Region title and qualify for the NJCAA Division III Championship Tournament for the first time in the program's existence. Pierson's RCSJ squad finished eighth nationally and produced two NJCAA All-Americans in Summer Wroniuk and Dominique Marcano.

"I I had been thinking about this decision prior to the season actually started, but I'm happy I waited," said Pierson. "The season was absolutely awesome and that made leaving this program much harder."

Pierson's oversight of the program enabled the Runners to rise from a winless team in her first year (2016) to national prominence by the time her sixth season concluded.

"To see where we started and how far we came was amazing," commented Pierson. "I had so much support and coached so many dedicated players -- what a great experience!

"I decided to leave at this moment so that there was time to conduct a proper coaching search and not put the program at risk," said Pierson. "I want all of the current players to continue into next season and hopefully the new coach brings in a great recruiting class."

Pierson, who resigned to devote more time to her young family and a new job, will still appear occasionally on the sideline during the upcoming season.

In the meantime, Roadrunner Athletics has begun an extensive coaching search, one that will not be easy given Pierson's success according to Executive Director of Athletics Brian Rowan.

"We are very sad to see Coach Pierson go but understand she is making the best decision for her family and career," Rowan. "She took us from one of the newest programs in Region 19 to conference and regional champions. She led the program in a first-class way, became a leader within our program, and we couldn't be more proud of the job she did. I am very happy she got to take the team to the national championships this season as I know that was one of her goals. While she will be missed, we know that she wants us to keep driving the program forward and that is what we will look to do with a great group of returning players for next season."

Fall 2021 NJCAA Region 19 Champions

Fall 2019 Garden State Athletic Conference Champions

Fall 2016 Roadrunner Team Photo Day