NEW YORK - CUNY Athletic Conference newcomer New Jersey City University edged defending men's volleyball regular season and tournament champion Baruch College as the 2026 CUNYAC men's volleyball preseason coaches poll was announced Thursday morning. One Player to Watch for each of the nine teams was also announced.
The Gothic Knights, who were most recently a member of the Skyline Conference in men's volleyball, captured six of the nine first place votes and totaled 58 points. NJCU finished 23-10 overall a season ago and reached the Skyline final as well as reaching the ECAC final.
Baruch, which finished 18-12 and 13-1 in CUNYAC play last season, picked up the other three first place votes and tallied 57 points. The Bearcats captured the tournament championship for the fifth straight year last season.
2025 finalist Hunter placed third with 53 points, while John Jay (42) and Brooklyn (35) rounded out the top five. Lehman (33), CCNY (20), York (18) and Medgar Evers (8) completed the poll.
The 2026 CUNYAC Men's Volleyball Championship begins with first round games on Tuesday, April 7. The semifinals are set for Thursday, April 9, with the championship match slated for Friday, April 10 at the Hunter Sportsplex at 6:30 pm
2026 CUNYAC Men's Volleyball Preseason Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. New Jersey City (6) - 58
2. Baruch (3) - 57
3. Hunter - 53
4. John Jay - 42
5. Brooklyn - 35
6. Lehman - 33
7. CCNY - 20
8. York - 18
9. Medgar Evers - 8
CUNYAC Men's Volleyball Players to Watch
Peter Gavroff, Baruch - Gavroff was the 2025 CUNYAC Player of the Year as well as the Championship MVP. He totaled 209 kills on .251 hitting last season while adding 32 service aces, 33 total blocks and 106 digs.
Aaron Siu, Brooklyn - Siu, a First Team All-Star in 2025, finished last season with 241 kills, 139 digs and 35 aces. He earned Second Team All-Star accolades as a freshman in 2024.
Alex Abraham, CCNY - Abraham, a member of the Sportsmanship Team in 2025, played in 20 matches for the Beavers last season and racked up 83 kills and 101 digs.
Ahmed Mohamed, Hunter - Mohamed, a First Team All-Star last season, hit .312 and totaled 296 kills in 2025 while recording 58 service aces. Defensively he contributed 34 blocks and 127 digs.
Nick Fuentes, John Jay - Fuentes, the conference's Rookie of the Year last season and a First Team All-Star, hit .260 and totaled 301 kills. He also notched 148 digs for the Bloodhounds.
Emea Doci, Lehman - Doci is expected to play a big role for the Lightning, who finished fifth in the conference standings a season ago.
Nkosi Fraser, Medgar Evers - Fraser appeared in 18 matches for the Cougars in 2025, starting 12.
Marcus Pardasie, New Jersey City - Pardasie was First Team All-Skyline and All-NJAC in 2025 and the 2024 Skyline Rookie of the Year. He led the Gothic Knights with 452 kills and 33 service aces and was second with 223 digs and 34 blocks.
Alexis Ramirez, York - Ramirez appeared in 19 matches last season and was third on the Cardinals with 125 kills while also recording 28 service aces and 87 digs.
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