Women's Volleyball

Hunter Chosen to Defend Conference Crown in 2024 CUNYAC Preseason Poll; Preseason Players to Watch Announced

FLUSHING, N.Y. –  The City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) has announced its annual preseason poll for the 2024 women’s volleyball season, and Hunter was chosen to repeat as conference champions, as voted upon by the league’s head coaches. Head coaches were not permitted to vote for their own program.
 
Hunter finished atop the leaderboard with 52 points and four first-place votes. The Hawks finished the season 22-9 overall with a perfect 7-0 record against conference opponents, claiming an eighth league championship in nine seasons.
 
Baruch was slated to finish second with 43 points and three first-place votes. John Jay was picked third with 38 points and the lone remaining first-place vote, followed by Brooklyn (31), CCNY (24), Lehman (17), York (13) and Medgar Evers (6).
 
The 2024 CUNYAC Women’s Volleyball Championship will take place from November 12 through November 15. The six-team, single-elimination tournament will be hosted by the higher seed for each of the first two rounds. The opening round is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 followed by the semifinals on Thursday, November 14, concluding with the championship match on Friday, November 15 at Baruch College.
 
CUNYAC Women’s Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. Hunter – 52 Points (Four First-Place Votes)
2. Baruch – 43 (3)
3. John Jay – 38 (1)
4. Brooklyn – 31
5. CCNY – 24
6. Lehman – 17
7. York – 13
8. Medgar Evers - 6
 
CUNYAC Women’s Volleyball Preseason Players to Watch
Delaney Killeen (Baruch) – A CUNYAC Player of the Week honoree a season ago, Delaney Killeen finished second on the team in kills (175) and points (191.5) and while ranking third in hitting percentage (.182) and total blocks (19).
 
Aleah Rafat (Brooklyn) – Aleah Rafat was a second team all-conference performer last season, pacing the team in kills (176), kills per set (2.38), points (211.5) and points per set (2.86), while ranking second in digs (194).
 
Bianka Catral (CCNY) – Bianka Catral earned CUNYAC All-Star honors f or a second straight season in 2023. She led the Beavers in kills (164) and points (218) and ranked second in service aces (39).
 
Bethany Tomaneng (Hunter) – Bethany Tomaneng was a First Team CUNYAC All-Star in 2023. The setter finished tied atop the leaderboard in the conference in assists (818) and ranked No. 2 in the assists per set (8.35). Most importantly, she led Hunter to a second straight conference championship, earning All-Tournament honors. In addition, she was named a AVCA Academic All-American.
 
Josanne Lewis (John Jay) – Josanne Lewis is the reigning CUNYAC Player of the Year following a stellar 2023 campaign. Lewis led the conference and ranked No. 31 nationally in kills per set (3.93) and ranked No. 46 nationally in points per set (4.34). She also earned ECAC Division III First Team honors.
 
Arianna Calderon (Lehman) – In her first season at Lehman, Arianna Calderon led the team in kills (95), kills per set (1.83) and digs (155).
 
Britonya Lloyd (Medgar Evers) – Britonya Lloyd started 13 matches for the Cougars last season, recording 63 kills, 16 service aces, eight total blocks and 131 digs.
 
Madison Plaza (York) – Madison Plaza appeared in 17 matches for the Cardinals in her rookie campaign. She played in 43 sets, accumulating 10 kills, 27 digs and nine service aces. 

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