2004 CUNYAC Community College Women's Volleyball

Kingsborough Community College Captures
2004 CUNYAC Community College Women’s Volleyball Championship
 

Brooklyn, NY - Host Kingsborough Community College captured their first CUNY Athletic Conference Community College Women’s Volleyball Championship since 1994, sweeping Borough of Manhattan Community College 30-16, 30-21, 30-17, in the championship game.

Kingsborough (4-1), who won all four of their matches and dropped just one set on the day, did most of their damage with a dominating service game. Freshman Bern’dette Edwards, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, exploded for six of her team-high eight aces in the first game alone and the Wave racked up a total of 21 aces in the match. After Kingsborough won the first game easily, Manhattan was within close range as they trailed just 16-15. However, the Wave went on a 12-3 run to take a commanding 26-18 advantage and were able to close out the game without much of a fight. Freshman Armela Dosti capped the big run with two consecutive kills. The third and final game was never in doubt as the Wave continued their torrid serving, receiving three consecutive aces from sophomore Jennifer Velez and classmate Claudia Kwapisiewicz.

“Our serving was a key factor in winning this match,” said Kingsborough head coach Paul Watson. “We have a tendency to struggle in the service game, but today we were very efficient. It makes a huge difference in rally scoring to serve well and play less defense.”

Kingsborough, who today alone matched their 2003 season win total of four, reached the championship match by knocking off Queensborough Community College in three straight. Manhattan Community College eliminated two-time defending CUNY Athletic Conference Community College Women’s Volleyball Tournament champions Fashion Institute of Technology, 3-1.

“This is an amazing victory,” Watson added. We lost to Manhattan last week in three straight and to come out today and play the way that we did is a credit to our players. Each one of them has worked extremely hard and has made a sacrifice for the good of the team. They are willing to do whatever it takes to win.”

Joining Edwards on the All-Tournament team were teammates Dosti and Kwapisiewicz. Sophomore Iva Skoch and freshman Marlenys Santiago were selected from Manhattan, while sophomore Mekia Henry (Queensborough C.C.) and Tanya Watkins (Fashion Institute of Technology) rounded out the squad.

“This is an overwhelming feeling,” said Edwards. I always imagined winning the MVP of a tournament, but never really though that it would happen. “I’m proud of the way our team played and I thought that we did a great job of communicating out there.”

Tournament Recap:
Pool A: Kingsborough 2, FIT 1; Kingsborough 2, Bronx 0; FIT 2, Bronx 0 (Bronx eliminated)
Pool B: Manhattan 2, Queensborough 1; Queensborough 2, Hostos 0; Manhattan 2, Hostos 0 (Hostos eliminated)
Semifinals: Kingsborough 3, Queensborough 0; Manhattan 3, FIT 1
Finals: Kingsborough 3, Manhattan 0