Two Fall Student-Athletes Earn NJCAA All-American Honors

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – After a historic fall season, Finger Lakes Community College student-athletes Payton Stoddard (Bloomfield, N.Y./Bloomfield) of the women's volleyball team and Joao Antonio Rocha (Sergipe, Brazil/Colegio Master) of the men's soccer team have been named NJCAA Division III All-Americans.

Stoddard earned Second Team All-American honors, capping off a career as the most accomplished setter in FLCC women's volleyball history. She set program records with the 3rd most assists and service aces in a single season, as well as the most career assists in program history. During her sophomore season, Stoddard earned an impressive array of accolades, including Mid-State Athletic Conference (MSAC) Player of the Year, 1st-Team All-Conference, NJCAA Region III All-Tournament, and 1st-Team All-Region honors.

As a freshman, she was recognized with MSAC All-Conference, NJCAA Region III All-Tournament, and All-Region honors. Stoddard concludes her career with 1725 assists, 186 service aces, 387 digs, and 60 kills over 62 matches, cementing her legacy as one of the best as she helped the Lakers earn two NJCAA Region III Championships and NJCAA Division III National Tournament appearances.

Rocha also earned Second Team All-American honors, closing out one of the most dominant seasons in FLCC men's soccer history. He becomes just the third Laker to receive All-American honors and the first in 16 years. Rocha's historic season included setting records for the most assists in a single season and career, as well as ranking among the 11th most goals in a season, 4th most points in a season, and 2nd most points in a career in program history. Rocha concluded the 2024 season as the nation's leader in assists with 27.

During his sophomore season, Rocha earned MSAC All-Conference, 1st-Team All-Region, and NJCAA Region III All-Tournament honors. In his freshman year, he was an MSAC All-Conference selection. Rocha finishes his career with 20 goals, 32 assists, 72 points, a .534 shot-on-goal percentage, and 7 game-winning goals in 34 games played, etching his name into the program's record books as he helped the Lakers win their first NJCAA Region III title and NJCAA Division III National Tournament appearance in program history.