CUNYAC Men’s Volleyball Presented by Shleppers

Championship Central

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#1 Baruch Bearcats 3, #2 Hunter Hawks 1 (25-15, 25-15, 14-25, 25-21) - Box Score

Watch the Replay on ESPN3 HERE

For the first time in CUNYAC history, the CUNYAC/Shleppers Men’s Volleyball Final was broadcast live on ESPN3 and it was a thriller. The #1 Baruch Bearcats took on the #2 Hunter Hawks at Hunter as the two continued to build on their Lexington Avenue rivalry. In front of just over 1,000 fans, Baruch would take home their seventh straight title in a back-and-forth 3-1 victory.

“Even when I was at Baruch, everyone was a brother,” said Baruch coach Danial Levent. “Whenever your down somebody picks you up.”

The Bearcats jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead in front of a raucous Championship crowd. Hunter regrouped after rough start, winning eight of the next 16 points and restoring the energy in the Hawks fanbase. At that point, the score stood at 14-10, however Baruch took the next four points, capped by a long volley featuring numerous diving digs. The Bearcats would continue the onslaught and go up 23-14. They would snag the final two points despite an impressive defense from the Hawks and take the first set by the score of 25-15. Chris Kaimis had four kills in the set.

The second set was much closer right from the start. Neither team could extend a lead greater than two points. After a timeout, Hunter responded with a kill by Brandon Kohler, but Baruch rattled off three straight points to take command of the set. With the score at 21-15, Baruch rattled off four points in a row off of superb serving to take the second set 25-15 once again. The victory in set two put Baruch within 25 points of their seventh straight CUNYAC Championship.

Our third set would be hard fought as Hunter would jump out to a quick 6-3 lead forcing the Bearcats to call a timeout. The Hawks defense would continue to benefit them as they would be the first to reach 10, making the score 10-7. The Hawks incredible ability to return the Bearcats aggressive attack motivated them to a 15-10 lead. Hunter’s blocks continued to be a problem for Baruch and the Hawks got out to a comfortable 23-13 lead, their biggest of the night up to this point. Once the Hawks got into their groove there was no looking back for them and they claimed their first set of the match 25-14. Gary Anderson Jr., the Hawks’ defensive backbone, recorded 9 successful digs during the set.

“They’ve been helping each other all year, and now we’re here,” Coach Levent would continue. “I think we got a little too emotional in that third set. But when that fourth set came around we calmed down and we just pulled it out.”

Hunter would once again set the tone early in the fourth set with a seven to one run. The Bearcats would not give up and they would make it a two point game with a score of 10-8 in favor of Hunter. The Bearcats kept the pressure on and the set would be tied at 12. The Bearcats would finally take the lead 14-13 to complete their run. Baruch would then make another momentum stealing run that would extend their lead to 18-14. Hunter would not lay down easily however as with game point looming they would bring the score within 3 and it would be 24-21 in favor of the Bearcats. However, with the title in reach, Baruch would clamp down and not relinquish another point and claim the 2015 CUNYAC/Shleppers Men’s Volleyball Tournament Title. Tournament MVP Nick Smith would help the Bearcats relentless attack by recording 14 kills in the match.

“It’s been a real prolific journey overall, lots of ups and downs, a lot of hard fought battles, a lot of tough losses, and lastly a lot of great wins.” said Smith. “It’s just tradition to come here and work hard come championship time,” Smith would finish by saying, “we just had to close when closing time came.”

Official Attendance: 1,017

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