NEW YORK – Two-time defending CUNY Athletic Conference women's volleyball tournament champion John Jay is the coaches' pick to finish first in the 2026 preseason women's volleyball poll released Wednesday morning.
The Bloodhounds, who captured their first-ever CUNYAC regular season title a season ago before downing Brooklyn for their second straight tournament title, collected four of eight first place votes and racked up 45 points. John Jay finished 23-7 and 7-0 in conference play last fall.
Brooklyn, which finished third in the regular season and reached the conference final last season, earned a pair of first place votes and tallied 40 points. Hunter received a total of 36 points and placed third in the poll.
Baruch and CCNY each earned one first place nod, with the Bearcats picked fourth with 35 points, while the Beavers slotted fifth with 29.
Lehman (19), York (13) and Medgar Evers (7) rounded out the poll.
The 2026 CUNYAC women's volleyball Players to Watch were also announced Wednesday morning.
The 2026 CUNYAC Women's Volleyball Championship begins with a pair of first round contests on Tuesday, November 10, followed by the conference semifinals on Thursday, November 12. The championship game is set for Friday, November 13 at 6:30 pm at Hunter.
2026 CUNYAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. John Jay (4) - 45
2. Brooklyn (2) - 40
3. Hunter - 36
4. Baruch (1) - 35
5. CCNY (1) - 29
6. Lehman - 19
7. York - 13
8. Medgar Evers - 7
CUNYAC Women's Volleyball
Players to Watch
Karen Pozo Castro, Baruch - Pozo Castro, a Second Team All-Conference setter for the Bearcats last season, handed out 550 assists (7.24 assists/set) and led Baruch with 57 service aces. She also recorded 142 digs.
Saule Okeke-Ziburkus, Brooklyn - Okeke-Ziburkus, a Second Team All-Conference selection as a freshman in 2025, tallied 194 kills to rank second on the Bulldogs. She also registered 155 digs and 35 blocks for the conference finalists.
Ivanna Zamora Sanchez, CCNY - A junior right side, Zamora Sanchez totaled 144 kills and 58 service aces for the Beavers a season ago. She also racked up 226 digs and added 14 blocks.
MIchelle Liu, Hunter - Liu, a senior outside hitter, ranked third on the Hawks with 178 kills in 2025 while her 46 services aces were second on the squad. Defensively Liu racked up a team-high 74 blocks.
Emilia Cascapera, John Jay - A junior outside hitter, Casapera totaled 157 kills in 17 matches a season ago for the conference champions. She also added 19 blocks.
Alanis Vasquez, Lehman - Vasquez, a junior outside hitter, racked up 44 service aces and led the Lightning in kills in 2025. She also led Lehman in digs with 112.
Sarah Vallon, Medgar Evers - A senior defensive specialist, Vallon played in 17 matches for the Cougars and recorded 36 digs on the season.
Zia Lefebvre, York - As a freshman in 2025, Lefebvre, an outside hitter, led the Cardinals in kills with 145 while her 209 digs were also tops on the team.
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