York’s Women’s Volleyball team played their 2015-2016 season opener on the brand new hardwood floors in the Health & Physical Education Building. This was the athletic department’s first use of the floors since the renovation began last Spring, and its reveal this June. The upgrade from a firm rubber sports court to glossy red, white, and black hardwood flooring did not bring the Cardinals much luck. York was defeated by Albertus Magnus 3-2.
Head coach, Renee Thompson, coached her first game since her return to York. The former Lady Cardinal remained calm during the premier game. “Overall, it was a good game, and good start for the season,” said Thompson. “I saw a lot of potential. I didn’t see anything that can’t be fixed at practice.” Thompson does not believe the new renovation to the Lady Cardinals’ home court had an outcome on their performance.
“It is a nice [court],” said Thompson. “[The new wood] trains them to not be lazy, because they can not slide [for balls].” After losing 11-25 in the first set, York came back strong in the second and fourth sets, winning 25-20 and 25-11. Magnus took the fifth set, and tie breaker, at 11-15. As a team the Lady Cardinals averaged about 13 digs, 8 points, and 5 kills per set.
Jillian Escobar, the new assistant coach, was a four year volleyball player for the Brooklyn College Bulldogs, and a breakout player for the Francis Lewis Patriots during the 2006-2010 seasons. “When they decided to play together, there was no breaking them,” said Escobar. “When communication stopped they broke down.”
Although they only meet once this season, the Lady Cardinals played the Falcons twice last season. On October 6th, the Lady Cardinals surpassed the Falcons in a 3-0 game. However, the following week, York fell to the Falcons winning only one set to their three. Both teams battled hard resulting in close 22-25, 20-25, 25-15, 22-25 point sets.
According to the 2015-2016 CUNYAC Preseason Poll, York is ranked 8th out of 9 teams, earning one spot above Medgar Evers. The season opener held a lot of weight on the outcome of the rest of the season. Nerves and jitters got the best of the Cardinals. For some this was their college career debut.
The game was good overall,” said sophomore hitter, Renee Daley. “We should have come out stronger in the first game, but came out slow because we were nervous.” Daley led the Lady Cardinals in kills, totaling 10 for the night, but still believed she did not play to her full potential.
“I did not play well at all,” said Daley. While averaging two kills per set, and a .208 hitting percent, Daley also had two blocking errors. “I’m proud,” said Thompson. “They played hard, and came back hard. I can’t be mad at that.”
