2001 CUNYAC Women's Volleyball Championship

Hunter Sweeps CCNY for Sixth Consecutive Crown

New York, NY - Hunter College defeated CCNY, 30-18, 30-24, 30-27, on its home court to take the championship match of the 2001 CUNY Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Championship, presented by State Farm. The Hawks (23-10) extended their CUNYAC winning streak to 69 straight matches, dating back to the start of the 1996 season. Hunter will represent the conference in the NCAA Championships, starting November 10th, for the third consecutive time.

Hunter junior Jezel Rodriguez (Bronx, NY) was spectacular, posting with 27 assists, 12 kills and 10 digs in the final, to earn MVP honors. "It feels great to win an individual award," said the three-time all-star and a veteran of eight CUNY Championship games in three sports. "CCNY wanted it as much as we did today. They were fired up for this match. We just had more experience."

Despite the straight set win, it was the most competitive CUNYAC final since 1996, when the Hawks won by a total of six points over three games. The Beavers (16-4), who have only lost a match to one other college this season, have a very young team, starting five freshman, including all-stars Erja Vettenranta (Jarva, Finland), who had eight kills and three aces, and Catherine Martinez (Bronx, NY) who added seven kills and five digs.

"It was a great match," said CCNY head coach Robert Pichardo. "I'm very proud of my team and the season we had. I believe that it's the school's best team since the mid-eighties," continued the 1997 CCNY graduate. "But the credit goes to Lauren and Hunter today."

"This was the best CUNY final I've had," said Hunter head coach Lauren Caiaccia, the CUNYAC Coach of the Year and three-time championship winner. "Robert has done an excellent job building that team. I'm just proud that we rose to the occasion."

Prior to the finale, Hunter had already clinched a berth in the New York State Women's Championships, which will be held this weekend at Oneonta State. The Hawks have also played in that championship after each of the last three seasons.

"I think I am hitting my playing peak. I was a primary hitter. It is a culminating moment of my career," said CUNYAC Player of the Year Nora Wnuk who added 13 kills, and eight digs for Hunter. "I feel encouraged for the postseason after the way our players have improved over the course this year. No matter what, we will play with heart, and close the season with intensity," added Hunter's senior middle hitter from Manhattan.

In the semifinals, preceding the championship match, both Hunter and CCNY won in straight sets. The Hawks dropped #4 seed John Jay, 30-15, 30-23, 30-17, while the Beavers topped third-seeded Lehman 30-17, 34-32, 30-26.

The Lightning (14-8) put up a strong fight against CCNY, leading 27-22 in the second game before too many mistakes did them in. Junior Madelayne Garcia (New York, NY) led Lehman with seven kills. Freshman all-star setter Esmeralda Camacho contributed 13 assists and five kills.

For John Jay (15-6), senior setter Isorys Dilone (Brooklyn, NY) passed for 19 assists while freshman outside hitter Mary Onyango had six kills.

All-Tournament Team

Most Valuable Player
Jezel Rodriguez Hunter (Clinton / Bronx, NY)