FLUSHING, N.Y. (Jan. 26, 2024) - The City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) has announced its annual preseason poll for the 2024 men’s volleyball season, and rivals Baruch and Hunter have been chosen as preseason co-favorites, as voted upon by the league’s head coaches. Head coaches were not permitted to vote for their program.
 
The 2024 CUNYAC Men’s Volleyball Championship is scheduled for April 9-12. First Round action begins on Tuesday, Apr. 9, at higher seeds, followed by the semifinal round on Thursday, Apr. 11 at higher seeds. The tournament finale will be held on Friday, Apr. 12 at Baruch College.
 
Baruch and Hunter, who faced off in the championship final in 13 of the last 15 seasons, including the previous seven, were awarded 46 points apiece and four first-place votes. The Bearcats, the two-time defending conference tournament champions, finished the regular season 18-11 overall with a 12-2 record against conference opponents, both losses coming against the Hawks.

Hunter completed the regular season 19-7 with a perfect 14-0 conference record to win the regular season title, reaching the tournament final before suffering a loss to the Bearcats.
 
John Jay was chosen third in the ranking with 37 points, followed by CCNY (31), Lehman (24), Brooklyn (20), Medgar Evers (12) and York (8) to round out the eight-team poll.
 
CUNYAC Men’s Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. Baruch – 46 Points (Four First-Place Votes)
1.   Hunter – 46 (4)
3.   John Jay – 37
4.   CCNY (31)
5.   Lehman (24)
6.   Brooklyn (20)
7.   Medgar Evers (12)
8.   York (8)
 
CUNYAC Men’s Volleyball Preseason Players to Watch
Jack Centeno, Jr. (Baruch) – Centeno is one of the premiere hitters in the CUNYAC. Last season, he finished No. 2 in kills per set (3.01), No. 4 in total kills (226), No. 5 in hitting percentage (.243) and No. 6 in points per set (3.37). For his efforts, he was awarded CUNYAC First Team laurels. Most importantly, he led Baruch to a second straight conference title, earning Championship MVP honors.

Tommy Min, So. (Brooklyn) – In his first season with the Bulldogs, Min led Brooklyn in kills (163), service aces (33) and ranked fourth in blocks.
 
Ricky Li, So. (CCNY) – Li was sensational in his first season with the Beavers, earning CUNYAC Rookie of the Year honors. He ranked No. 5 in the conference in kills per set (2.65), No. 6 in hitting percentage (.235), and finished seventh in points per set (3.08).
 
Matisse Lee-Maarek, So. (Hunter) – Lee-Maarek made an immediate impact on the Hawks and the CUNYAC in his first season at the Lexington Avenue campus. He led the conference in several categories, including hitting percentage (.387), total blocks (73) and blocks per set (.932). His .387 hitting percentage ranked No. 11 among NCAA Division III. Matisse was named the CUNYAC Player of the Year, AVCA Newcomer of the Year and landed a spot on the AVCA All-Region Team. Most importantly, he led Hunter to a regular season championship and a spot in the conference tournament final.
 
Logan Ramos, Sr. (John Jay) – Ramos was a First Team CUNYAC All-Star in 2023. He led the CUNYAC in aces per set (.667) while finishing No. 5 in points per set (3.37), seventh in kills per set (2.57) and ninth in hitting percentage (.199).
 
Ray Rodriguez, Jr. (Lehman) – Rodriguez was named a CUNYAC Second Team All-Star following a solid 2023 campaign. He finished the season among the top-10 in digs per set (2.96) and kills per set (2.51).
 
Louis Caiola, So. (Medgar Evers) – In his first season with the Cougars, Caiola was among the team leaders in kills (58), digs (53), blocks (13) and service aces (6).
 
Stanley Sanchez, So. (York) – Sanchez was solid in his first year with the program, leading the Cardinals in digs (70). He also ranked among the top of the roster in kills (16) and assists (27). 
 

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