Rachael Aquila was named Head Coach of the Women's Volleyball team on July 1, 2021. A graduate of Nazareth High School, Aquila (formerly Caywood) starred for the Spartans during their back-to-back NJCAA National Tournament appearances in 2015 and 2016, earning All-Tournament honors in 2016.
2025 witnessed the Spartans return to national prominence, rising to #7 in the national poll during the regular season and ultimately finishing 8th at the NJCAA Natioal Tournament. The Spartans finished 29-4 overall, winning an EPAC title, a Region 19 championship and the East A District title. Grace Coppola earned NJCAA National All-Tournament Team honors, while Northampton earned the coveted NJCAA Sportsmanship Award for the 2nd time under Aquila. Lexi Womack was the Region 19 Player of the Year and Samantha Nagy earned District MVP Honors.
2024 was an up and down season for the Spartans, as they finished 16-7 overall, falling in the NJCAA East District semifinals. The Spartans were ranked as high as #13 in the country during the season. Kailen Felty earned First Team All-Region accolades, while Mackenzie Davis and Lexi Womack earned Second and Third Team honors, respectively.
The 2023 campaign produced a conference title, Region 19 championship, District championship and a return trip to the NJCAA National Tournament, the 7th in program history. Aquila guided the Spartans to a perfect 15-0 record during the regular and Regionals, earning Region 19 and NJCAA East District A Coach of the Year Honors. Ayana Bomani was named Region 19 Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while freshman Kailen Felty earned All-Region accolades. The Spartans also received the prestigious NJCAA Sportsmanship Award following the National Tournament.
2022 was a breakthrough year for Aquila and the Spartans as they returned to national prominence, winning the EPAC Championship, Region 19 Championship, North Atlantic District B title and finishing 10th at the NJCAA National Tournament. Ayana Bomani was named Region 19 Player of the Year, while Jordan Appleton was chosen as EPAC Player of the Year. Aquila was named EPAC Coach of the Year, Region 19 Coach of the Year and North Atlantic District B Coach of the Year for her efforts.
In her first season at the helm, Aquila guided the 2021 Spartans to a 3-10 record and mentored freshman Jordan Appleton to All-Region and All-Conference accolades. The Spartans won 3 of their final 5 matches of the season.
A coaching fixture in the Lehigh Valley on the club volleyball circuit, Aquila is employed as a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT).
AQUILA YEAR by YEAR at NORTHAMPTON
AQUILA OVERALL at NORTHAMPTON
Championships:
NJCAA District: 2022, 2023, 2025
Region 19: 2022, 2023, 2025
EPAC: 2022, 2023, 2025
Honors and Awards:
2025 NJCAA Sportsmanship Award
2025 East A District Coach of the Year
2025 Region 19 Coach of the Year
2025 EPAC Coach of the Year
2023 NJCAA Sportsmanship Award
2023 Region 19 Coach of the Year
2023 East A District Coach of the Year
2022 EPAC Coach of the Year
2022 Region 19 Coach of the Year
2022 North Atlantic District B Coach of the Year
