FLUSHING, NY -- It was a great three-way race for the top of the CUNY Athletic Conference last season, as Baruch (26-9), CCNY (24-13) and Hunter (20-17) all tied atop the standings at 8-1 in league play. In the fight for the automatic berth to the NCAA's, CCNY swept Baruch in the final for the school's first title since 2004. This year could be just as competitive, as the Bearcats and Hawks had young lineups that are now more experienced, while CCNY has the firepower to replace two-time CUNYAC Player of the Year Floriana Garo.
The quarterfinals of the 2010 CUNYAC / EmblemHealth Women's Volleyball Championship will be held on Tuesday, November 2 at the home courts of the higher seeds and the semifinals and final match will be held at a familiar place, the Hunter College Sportsplex on Friday, November 5th, beginning at 4:00 pm. Once again, the championship match will also be taped for broadcast on CUNY-TV the following week, while the winner is competing at the NCAA Tournament.
BARUCH BEARCATS (26-9, 8-1)
The women’s volleyball team will look to build upon a strong 2009 season that saw them win a team record 26 matches. The Bearcats return five starters and CUNYAC Libero of the Year Posey Wilson. The will also receive a big boost in the line up with the return of 2008 CUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Berbelin Jape (Hostos CC, 2008).
The team won the 2009 CUNYAC regular season title in a three-way tie-breaker with CCNY and Hunter. They will look to repeat that accomplishment again this season and try to win the overall tournament championship which includes the berth to the NCAA Tournament.
The fall schedule is again ambitious with tournaments such as the Stevens Invitational (New Paltz St, MIT, Williams, NYU Poly) and Plattsburgh State Cardinal Classic (Buffalo State. St. Lawrence, Old Westbury State), followed by non-conference matches against McDaniel, Marymount, Randolph, St. Joseph’s (LI), NYU Poly and seven strong teams from the dangerous New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
Within CUNYAC, the Bearcats host defending champion CCNY at home and play a majority of their conference schedule on the road or at multi-matches. The highly anticipated match against rival Hunter will take place on September 11 at multi-match host York College.
CCNY BEAVERS (24-13, 8-1)
Stafford Barzey takes over as the new head coach at CCNY, replacing Krishna Dass, who left after earning the school’s first CUNYAC title and NCAA appearance in six seasons. The team also loses one of the best players ever to don the lavender and black, Floriana Garo, but fellow all-stars Melissa Blass and Alexis Kingsman return for the Beavers.
HUNTER HAWKS (20-17, 8-1)
Veteran head coach Ray Bello returns a young, but veteran lineup that includes junior OH Mallory Grubler , junior setter Katina Boutis and sophomore hitter Karolina Krauze. With only two freshman and one senior on the Hawks 12-woman roster, Bello, a former CUNYAC all-star setter himself, could have the team in prime position come November.
LEHMAN LIGHTNING (12-18, 6-3)
Often the loss of a star player is enough to temper expectations for an upcoming season. Not so for Lehman College women’s volleyball coach Wolfgang Lucena. “This season is going to be one of the best seasons Lehman College has ever had.”
High praise for a team that will be without libero Jillian Acevedo, a First Team CUNYAC All-Star selection in 2009 and the admitted glue that held the team together. “It’s really, really bad news for us that she’s not going to be part of the team,” said Lucena of Acevedo who led the team with 451 digs. That being said, a roster stocked with weapons will help soften the blow and is the main reason for his bold prediction for 2010.
One certainty will be the play of fellow 2009 CUNYAC First Team All-Star Gerri-Ann Martin. Last season Martin participated in a team-leading 102 sets while leading the team in kills (380) and service aces (67). Her 257 digs were good for second on the team and her nine solo blocks were good for third. “She is a monster player as an outside hitter,” said Lucena.
Also garnering effusive praise from Coach Lucena is sophomore Racine Brown, who was among the conference leaders in blocks and placed fourth on the Lightning with 106 kills. “I don’t know how many middle hitters there are like her in the CUNY conference,” said Lucena. “She is really good.”
Senior Ashley Meany was a difference maker in ’09 for Lehman with 109 kills and should be again in 2010. Her previous experience having played Division I volleyball at St. Francis (NY) will continue to have an impact on the team.
In talking about the importance of returning junior setter Lisa Jagdeo, Coach Lucena joked that the team might have to forfeit should she not be able to take the court for a match. Not far from the truth, Jagdeo ranked in the top five in CUNY in assists and service aces and will be asked to once again keep the Lightning running smoothly.
Others who will be looked upon to contribute right away include newcomers Vanessa Brown and Perla Valentin. Brown, a transfer from Bronx Community College, is actually a familiar face to Coach Lucena thanks in part to the two having won a CUNYAC Community College championship together when Lucena was an assistant coach with the program. An outside hitter whose skills will allow her to play just about anywhere on the court, Brown will be a “really dangerous problem for other schools” according to Lucena.
Valentin, a freshman libero from Yonkers, may be one of the most important parts of the team along with returning sophomore Shayla Thompkins as they will be asked to help offset the loss of Acevedo. One season ago the Lightning bowed out of the CUNYAC playoffs after a tough four set loss to eventual runner up Baruch College. Undoubtedly, the loss sticks in the minds of his players. “I’m pretty sure they’re getting ready to beat Hunter and Baruch,” said Lucena. “That is their big concern, trying to compete against the top teams.”
STATEN ISLAND DOLPHINS (12-16, 5-4)
After finishing 2009 with a 12-16 record the College of Staten Island ’s volleyball team comes into 2010 with a handful of hope and positive changes. The team will kick off on September 1 against St. Joseph’s College-Patchogue in Long Island , New York .
CSI sees leadership from new head coach, five year assistant, Melissa Quiles. Also a former volleyball player of CSI, Quiles is excited to take over the position, “We have a brand new set of women who are determined and committed and that’s more than I could ask for.”
CUNYAC Softball All-Stars and serving as co-captains for volleyball are junior Danielle Ponsiglione, who ranked 35th amongst the NCAA National Statistical Leaders in service aces (.69 per set) and Joanna Tepedino who led the team in total kills (204) and blocks (17) last season.
Along with four returning players, seven newcomers including four freshman will be seen on the roster. Both freshman outside hitter/libero Diana Stout and Greece native Vasiliki Stergioula will be an asset to the starting line-up. The team consists of players from other CSI teams; softball (Tracey Rooney and Kaitlyn Flynn), swimming (Priscilla Alvarez) and cross country (Lisa Lamanna), all with the heart of an athlete and the determination for winning.
The schedule this season consists of just four home games including their 3rd annual Serving for a Cure- Breast Cancer Awareness game on October 7th against St. Joseph ’s College-Brooklyn. The Dolphins next game will be the home-opener on Thursday, September 9th against William Paterson at 7:00 pm.
JOHN JAY BLOODHOUNDS (8-23 4-5)
The John Jay College of Criminal Justice women’s volleyball team is optimistic to stay on course and build off of last season’s pioneering year. A year ago the Bloodhounds finished last season, en route to a sixth place finish in City University of New York Athletic Conference play.
This season, John Jay has a new head coach, Brittany Fout, at the helm. And though she is a first year coach, she is by no means a stranger to the program. Fout served as assistant coach last season, hence she knows firsthand what the team needs.
The Bloodhounds, this season, welcome back key returnees Justyna Kopec, Renauta Sailsman, Rocio Chavira and Crystal Reyes. A fresh batch of newcomers includes Darlene Bueno, Vanessa Caballero, Barbara Calderon, Kathleen Estevez, Chevernese Hamilton and Martina Hot.
John Jay will once again compete against fellow conference foes including home matches against Hunter College (9/21) and York College (9/28). The Bloodhounds will play on the road against Brooklyn College (9/14), New York City Tech (10/19) and Lehman College (10/28). John Jay will also compete against conference foes at multi-matches including matches against the City College of New York and the College of Staten Island (9/11) and Medgar Evers College and Baruch College (10/11).
The Bloodhounds will play host to SUNY Purchase (9/16), William Paterson and Manhattanville College (9/18), New Jersey City University (9/24), Maritime College (10/5) and the College of New Rochelle (10/13). On the road the Bloodhounds will play against Ramapo College (9/2), Kings Point (9/4), Rutgers-Newark (9/7), College of Mount Saint Vincent (9/23), Kean University (10/2), SUNY Old Westbury (10/7), Stevens Institute of Technology (10/16), Stockton College (10/23) and Western Connecticut State (10/30).
YORK CARDINALS (7-20, 3-6)
The York College women’s volleyball team will feature many new faces for the 2010 season. In total, only one player from last year’s squad is returning and just three players with previous playing experience at York are on the roster.
The lone returning player from last year’s squad is sophomore Emely Vasquez who had a strong freshman season. She finished the season with 122 digs and 36 kills in 2009. Also returning after a one-year hiatus is junior outside hitter Stephanie Ostin and sophomore middle hitter Tiffany Taylor. Both will see significant playing time for York in 2010. The Lady Cardinals also have some newcomers who have shown promise in the early-going. Libero Pamela Yap and setter Sharon Fordyce will be looked upon to contribute right from the start.
The Lady Cardinals hope the returning players can continue to grow and the newcomers can make an immediate impact. If that happens, York could make a deep playoff run.
MEDGAR EVERS COUGARS (5-19, 2-7)
The 2010 Women’s Volleyball team led by second year Head Coach Taisiya Zuyeva is coming off an eighth place finish in CUNYAC last season. This team brings back a few key players to last season’s young squad. There are eight returning players and five freshmen on the team. Some of the key players from last season are Lennise Noralez, Charita Henry, and Cristal Molina. Zuyeva believes this will be a good season hoping to make progress from 2009. With the returning players acting as team leaders, it will show the freshmen fight to survive a fast paced Volleyball season.
The schedule will feature key matches vs. Borough foes Brooklyn, City Tech and St. Joseph’s (Brooklyn). The Women’s Cougars get under way on September 4, in a multi-match vs. the College of St. Elizabeth and College of Notre Dame (MD).
BROOKLYN BULLDOGS (4-19, 1-8)
The Brooklyn College Women’s Volleyball team enters the 2010 season with much excitement, as Head Coach Joanne Riggs returns six letter winners from a season ago, to go along with six newcomers that will play vital roles in helping the team contend for a CUNY Athletic Conference tournament appearance.
This season, Coach Riggs will rely on junior middle hitter Caitlin McMullen, who played in all 23 matches on the year last season, recording 79 kills, to go along with 31 service aces, 63 digs and a team-best 25 total blocks. “Caitlin has taken on the responsibility as leader for this season. The team will look to her for guidance throughout the year both on and off the court. She is an exceptional athlete who pushes herself every time she steps on the court,” says Coach Riggs.
Along with McMullen, the other returning letter winners that will look to help the Bulldogs fight for a spot in the conference tournament include seniors Gabby Rodriguez (Middle Hitter/Outside Hitter) and Joan Wu (Defensive Specialist) and sophomores Lisenia Rodriguez (Setter), Kathy Chu (Libero/Defensive Specialist) and Electra Telesford (Right Side). G. Rodriguez recorded a team-high 85 kills last season, while L. Rodriguez recorded a team-best 200 assists and 91 digs in her rookie campaign.
Newcomers to the team include Amanda Fiore (Setter), Jillian Escobar (Outside Hitter), Manon Bailly (Middle Hitter), Colette Dragon (Right Side), Noelle Benson (Libero/Defensive Specialist) and Maritza Morency (Outside Hitter). Freshmen Fiore and Escobar’s experiences at the high school and club levels will be huge assets to the team, as both will look to play important roles this season. Dragon is a transfer from Borough of Manhattan Community College who will look to leave her mark at BC.
Coach Riggs on the 2010 season outlook: “This team has come together quickly. They have all worked hard during the offseason to get into volleyball shape. As a group their intensity and commitment is unmatched. The inclusion of three new freshmen has pushed the seasoned veterans to new heights. The 2010 season should be an exciting one for the players, coaches and fans.”
The team kicks off the 2010 season on Tuesday, September 7th at 7:00 pm, when the Bulldogs will travel up to Purchase, NY to take on the Panthers of Purchase College in a non-conference match. Brooklyn’s home opener is set for Tuesday, September 14th, as BC will play host to conference rival John Jay College of Criminal Justice at 7:00 pm in the West Quad Center Gym.
-- CUNYAthletics.com --