CUNYAC Women’s Volleyball presented by Pepsi
CUNYAC and Pepsi are proud to announce the 2015 Women’s Volleyball All-Stars. Julia Connolly of Hunter was named the CUNYAC Player of the Year while Miranda Hogan was named the CUNYAC Rookie of the Year. Baruch’s Head Coach Carrie Thomas earned the CUNYAC Coach of the Year.
Hunter had two major award winners with Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Baruch and Hunter dominated the First Team All-Stars represented with four and two student-athletes, respectively. CCNY, Lehman, John Jay, Brooklyn and Staten Island were represented by one student-athlete each.
"Coming into my sophomore season I knew I had my work cut out for me in order to get to the next level. This achievement would not have been made possible for me without the hard work put in from not only my coaches, but my amazing teammates. Most importantly, I want to give a huge thank you to my mom for being my number one fan and for her endless support." said Julia Connolly.
Julia Connolly of Hunter earned this year's Player of the Year honor after leading her team to a 7-1 conference record and the #2 seed in the CUNYAC Championship Tournament. The sophomore was a three-time CUNYAC Player of the Week winner this year due to her outstanding performance. This season Connolly averaged 3.22 kills/set and 2.53 digs/set while playing in 29 of the Hawks 34 matches.
"We are extremely proud that Julia was named Player of the Year. Julia is a pleasure to coach, an excellent teammate and ambassador for the Hunter College athletic program. It was both talent and hard work that won her Rookie of the Year last season and she continues to demonstrate that desire and commitment to improving her game and for that she was rewarded." said Hunter Head Coach Val Lang.
Miranda Hogan of Hunter earned this year’s Rookie of the Year honor after helping her squad earn a 21-11 record for the year. Hogan was named the CUNYAC Rookie of the Week for seven out of the eight weeks this season and ECAC Rookie of the Week. The freshman averaged 8.57 assists/set and 2.22 digs/set playing in 29 of the team’s 34 games.
"I'm so excited and honored to have achieved this award and I couldn't have done it without the hard work of my teammates and the encouragement of my coaches." said Hogan.
"Miranda is one of the most dedicated and hard working athletes we have had the pleasure of coaching. Leading the conference with over one thousand assist as a freshman setter speaks not only her talent but her leadership on the court. We are extremely proud of Miranda and expect big things from her over the next 3 years" said Hunter Head Coach Val Lang.
Coach Carrie Thomas was named Coach of the Year after leading her team to an undefeated conference record (8-0) and a overall record of (17-18). Thomas will seek to have the Bearcats get back on top as they lost in the championship game last year to Hunter. Before Hunter she coached at the Fashion Institute of Technology leading them to a 37-6 record and seventh place finish at the 2013 NJCAA Division III National Tournament.
“It is truly an honor to be named Coach of the Year. I give a lot of credit to my players, coaches and managers. Each day every member of our team goes 100%. It shows the dedication that each person has to this program. We are a tight knit group so they tend to enjoy each other on and off the court. They push each other and it shows on the court. We have a wide variety of talent and skill at all levels. It's a matter of how you put that altogether and create a team that can produce and win. It is an honor and privilege to coach such a talented group of kids.” said Coach Thomas.
Amy Sung of Baruch was named this year’s Sportsmanship Winner after helping her Bearcats achieve an undefeated CUNYAC conference record this season (8-0). Sasha Roopchand of Brooklyn, Victoria Wong of CSI, Paola Martinez of Hunter, Perla Pozo of John Jay, Annmarie Bemberry of Medgar Evers and Kiranjeet Kaur of York were named to the Sportsmanship Team.
For a complete list of this year’s All-Star selections and Sportsmanship award winners, refer to the table below.
2015 CUNYAC All-Stars
| Player of the Year |
Year |
Position |
School |
| Julia Connolly |
So. |
H |
Hunter |
| Rookie of the Year |
Year |
Position |
School |
| Miranda Hogan |
Fr. |
S |
Hunter |
| Coach of the Year |
Year |
Position |
School |
| Carrie Thomas |
2nd |
Coach |
Baruch |
| First Team |
Year |
Position |
School |
| Jo-Marie Aquino |
Sr. |
H |
Lehman |
| Taylor Haiduk-Kerr |
Fr. |
H |
Hunter |
| McKenzie Davidson |
Sr. |
H |
Baruch |
| Symone Green |
Jr. |
MB |
Baruch |
| Samantha Barrett |
Jr. |
MB |
Hunter |
| Crystle DelaCruz |
Sr. |
S |
Baruch |
| Amy Sung |
Sr. |
L |
Baruch |
| Second Team |
Year |
Position |
School |
| Rachel Eng |
So. |
H |
John Jay |
| Akilah Meulens |
So. |
H |
Baruch |
| Angela Ubanwa |
So. |
H |
CCNY |
| Sydney Parks |
Sr. |
MB |
Baruch |
| Christolia Butler |
Jr. |
MB |
Brooklyn |
| Brittany Minondo |
Sr. |
S |
Staten Island |
| Haley Trunkett |
Fr. |
L |
Hunter |
| Sportsmanship Winner |
Year |
Position |
School |
| Amy Sung |
Sr. |
L |
Baruch |
| Sportsmanship Team |
Year |
Position |
School |
| Sasha Roopchand |
Sr. |
MH/L |
Brooklyn |
| Victoria Wong |
Jr. |
L |
Staten Island |
| Paola Martinez |
Sr. |
MB/OH |
Hunter |
| Perla Pozo |
Sr. |
L |
John Jay |
| Annmarie Bemberry |
Sr. |
S |
Medgar Evers |
| Kiranjeet Kaur |
Sr. |
S |
York |