NEW YORK – 2024 CUNY Athletic Conference women's volleyball tournament champion John Jay is the coaches' pick to finish first in the 2025 preseason women's volleyball poll released Wednesday morning.

The Bloodhounds (22-7, 6-1), who finished second in the 2024 regular season before capturing their first-ever CUNYAC women's volleybal final with a 3-1 win over Hunter in the final, earned six of the eight first place votes and registered 47 points.

Hunter, the 2024 regular season champion, earned one first place vote and is slotted second in the poll with 42 points.  Brooklyn (37) slotted third, with Baruch picking up the other first place vote and checking in fourth with 33 points.

CCNY (24) and Lehman (21) were picked fifth and sixth, with York (12) and Medgar Evers (8) rounding out the poll.

One Player to Watch from each team was also announced Wednesday morning.

The 2025 CUNYAC Women's Volleyball Championship begins with a pair of first round contests on Tuesday, November 11, followed by the conference semifinals on Thursday, November 13.  The championship game is set for Friday, November 14 at 6:30 pm at Baruch.

2025 CUNYAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)

1. John Jay (6) - 47
2. Hunter (1) - 42
3. Brooklyn - 37
4. Baruch (1) - 33
5. CCNY - 24
6. Lehman - 21
7. York - 12
8. Medgar Evers - 8

CUNYAC Women's Volleyball
Players to Watch

Dibjot Kaur, Baruch - Kaur was a Second Team All-Star and a two-time CUNYAC Player of the Week in her first season with the Bearcats.  She appeared in 23 matches and totaled 178 kills and 178 digs.

Ruti Joshi, Brooklyn - Joshi, a senior libero, was the 2024 CUNYAC Libero of the Year as well as a Second Team All-Star.  She racked up 357 digs on the season while also contributing 70 service aces and 63 assists for the Bulldogs.

Rosalynda Russo, CCNY - A junior libero, Russo has registered 610 digs over her first two seasons, including 370 last season.  She also had 13 service aces for the Beavers in 2024.

Lily Mattison, Hunter - Mattison was a First Team All-Star for the Hawks in 2024 after leading the conference in hitting percentage (.222) and also ranking among the league leaders in blocks with 54.  She racked up 200 kills and added 37 service aces.

Julia Stuart, John Jay - The 2024 conference Rookie of the Year, Stuart appeared in 18 matches for the CUNYAC champions last fall and totaled 117 kills on .151 hitting.  Stuart also added 32 total blocks.

Sahiam Lora, Lehman - A junior middle for the Lightning, Lora appeared in 22 matches and made 20 starts in 2024.  She totaled 37 kills, 15 service aces, 31 digs and 32 blocks.

Maritza Argueta, Medgar Evers - Argueta played in 11 matches and 37 sets for the Cougars last fall.  She tallied 51 digs and notched seven service aces.

Samantha Panameno, York - Panameno, a junior setter, has appeared in 32 matches over her first two seasons at York.  She has notched 211 assists and added 128 digs and 22 service aces for the Cardinals.

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