Tigermedia - 2018 CUNYAC Community College Women's Volleyball Finals: Queensborough vs. BMCC
2018 CUNYAC Community College Women's Volleyball Finals: Queensborough vs. BMCC
Date: October 22nd, 2018
Duration:
1h:32m:55s
Article courtesy of CUNY Athletics:
BAYSIDE, N.Y. (Oct. 22, 2018) - On Monday evening, top-seeded Queensborough Community College breezed to its fourth-consecutive league title, knocking off second-seeded Borough of Manhattan Community College in three sets in the 2018 CUNYAC/Pepsi Community College Women's Volleyball Championship at RFK Gymnasium.
It was the third time in as many seasons that Queensborough and BMCC battled for the conference championship. The title is also the Tigers' seventh in the last nine years.
The scores of the match read 25-8, 25-23 and 25-16 in Queensborough's favor. The Tigers hit at a .352 clip in the match and had three players finish with double-digit kills, led by Paola Beniquez's 13-kill performance. Sophomore outside hitter and Most Valuable Player Angie Nicholes contributed 11 kills on a .455 attack percentage.
"It's honestly amazing (to be a two-time conference champion)," Nicholes said. "We fought so hard and I was blown away by how we played. I wasn't expecting this, so I am really proud of my team. It's an awesome feeling."
"Well, it feels amazing. It is very overwhelming. This is very special," commented Beniquez. "I tried my best out there. It was fun and continues to be an honor to play for QCC."
Queensborough got out to a blazing hot start, taking the first game by an overwhelming 25-8 score. Freshman opposite hitter Ashly Saladin led the way for the Tigers, slamming down four kills and adding two aces in the set. Beniquez had five kills, while freshman Chidera Nwaghanata added four kills, as well.
The second set was a see-saw affair, as neither team led by more than three points in the game. Queensborough rallied late though and squeezed out a 25-23 win to grab a 2-0 lead in the match.
Trailing 21-20, Nicholes put down a key pair of kills to slide the Tigers back in front. She would account for four of Queensborough's final five points in the set, including the game-clinching kill, to seal the victory for the hosts.
"Angie stepped up huge for us," said Queensborough Head Coach Jason Demas. "She was really smart. She took what the defense gave her. She tipped when she needed to. She hit hard when she needed to. She brought a lot of energy and played really well. I am really proud of her."
Queensborough had all the momentum from that point, and eventually ran away with a 25-16 third-set victory to secure the three-game sweep. Beniquez tallied back-to-back kills to close it out for the Tigers.
"We came in today. I told everyone our favorite number was seven, because it takes seven wins to go back to nationals. Now, the favorite number is five," Demas stated. "I think we definitely have it (what it takes). We now have to move on with it and keep going."
2018 CUNYAC/Pepsi Community College Women's Volleyball All-Tournament Team
Angie Nicholes, So, OH, Queensborough - Most Valuable Player
Paola Beniquez, So, OH, Queensborough
Maria Veliz Thol, So, S, Queensborough
Yolireisi Pichardo, Fr, OH/MH, BMCC
Jennifer Chacon, So, S, BMCC
Estrella Bello, So, OH, Kingsborough
Heder Rodriguez, Fr, S/OPP, Bronx