Baruch College defeated Hunter College 3-1 to claim the 2009 CUNYAC men's volleyball championships tonight at the ARC at Baruch College.  Baruch, who has now won the championship three of the last four years, has matched with Hunter College for the fifth consecutive year in the CUNYAC championship.

In the end, it was another Battle of Lexington Avenue that showcased the tenacity of both sides.  The Hawks tried valiantly to retain their title, but the Bearcats proved to be too much, winning 3-1 (30-21, 30-26, 26-30, and 30-25), avenging last year’s defeat in the championship game and completing a perfect record in conference play.

Baruch stormed out to a scorching start, hitting well in Game 1, with 15 kills and a .500 hitting percentage. The home crowd urged the Bearcats on, and Baruch, rising to the occasion, took Game 1, 30-21.

Game 2 was a more balanced tilt, as Hunter showed the heart of a champion and kept the game close.  But Baruch would be too much, squeaking out a four-point victory in the second game and were one game away from winning the title for the third time in four years.

The Hawks would not go down with a fight.  The now-dethroned champions rallied late and nipped Game 3, 30-26, to stay alive and force a fourth game.  CUNYAC Player of the Year Wojciech Jakubiak and all-tournament team member Eric Barty were leading the charge, combining for 28 kills on the evening, and Baruch looked vulnerable, as a raucous road support urged Hunter on, hoping for three-straight.

“Hunter played very well tonight,” stated Baruch head coach Allison Gunter. “They have phenomenal players.”

But the teal and white would not be denied the title.  Baruch would win claim their third crown in the last four years, led by three-time tournament MVP Danial Levent, who had 17 kills and was inspirational throughout the tournament.

“Danial is a fantastic player,” Gunter said.  “He’s a natural leader on and off the court and he leads by example.  It’s going to be rough losing him and he’s probably the best player to have played for Baruch volleyball.”

Setter Radu Wyrwas had a game-high 49 assists for Baruch.  Zacarias Ripoll led Hunter with 37. 

Both Baruch and Hunter move on to the NECVA Championships next weekend at MIT in Cambridge, Mass. Seeding will be announced on Tuesday.

“I’m so excited [for the NECVA Championships],” Gunter said.  “There are so many talented teams and I have been told we’re a dark horse.  We’re looking to surprise a few teams.”

2009 CUNYAC Men's Volleyball Most Valuable Player
Danial Levent, Baruch College 

2009 CUNYAC Men's Volleyball All-Tournament Team
Alex Niles, York College
Johnny Santana, City Tech
Gabriel Rivera, Baruch College
Pablo Oliveira, Baruch College
Wojciech Jakbuiak, Hunter College
Eric Barty, Hunter College