Provided/Atlantic Cape award recipient Samantha Dangler with Head Coach Karla Maisto.

MAYS LANDING — Atlantic Cape Community College sophomore Samantha Dangler was honored by the New Jersey Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women as a 2023 Woman of the Year recipient during an awards ceremony at Seton Hall University on Feb. 18.

Dangler, who was also named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-Region 19 and All-GSAC (Garden State Athletic Conference) women’s volleyball teams this past season, was honored along with other female student athletes from across New Jersey during halftime of the Seton Hall/Xavier Women’s Basketball game at center court in Walsh Gymnasium.

Dangler, who is from Mullica Township, credits the overwhelming support she has received from her parents, Atlantic Cape Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Karla Maisto and Atlantic Cape Women’s Volleyball Coach Josh Concepcion for building her skills as a player and guiding her growth as a human being.

“I feel extremely honored to receive such an amazing award. This achievement is more than just a mark of solid athletic performance, but of strong character as well,” Dangler said. “It is truly gratifying to know that I stood out and was noticed for both of these qualities because every day I am in the gym I strive to be a leader that my younger teammates would want to emulate.”

Each year, the NJAIAW recognizes exceptional female student-athletes from throughout New Jersey at the high school, 2- and 4-year college levels for their excellence in the classroom and on their respective athletic fields and courts. This event was held as part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

Maisto had met and known about Dangler prior to coaching her. She was aware of the impressive 12 high school varsity letters that Dangler earned over her four years at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology high school as well.

“Once I became her coach I could see why all of her previous coaches loved her. She brings out the competitiveness in her teammates by always giving her all at each practice and game,” Maisto said. “Without her, I am certain that we would not have a Regional Final banner hanging in our gymnasium just two years into the program.”

Dangler will graduate from Atlantic Cape this spring with an associate’s degree in health information technology and is planning on attending Rutgers University online in the fall.

Female student-athlete award recipients gather for a group photo (Atlantic Cape’s Samantha Dangler on far right).


Nanette LoBiondo Galloway

Award winning journalist covering news, events and people of Atlantic County for more than 20 years.