Cougars Athletics

The Medgar Evers College women's volleyball team faced a challenging stretch this week, dropping a pair of matches against the CCNY Beavers and Centenary College Cyclones. The Cougars opened the week with a CUNYAC matchup against their city rivals before traveling to New Jersey for a non-conference contest on Thursday. The two defeats dropped Medgar Evers to 0-11 overall on the season.

The Cougars began the week on Tuesday, October 6, taking on CCNY at the Nat Holman Gymnasium in a conference showdown, losing to the Beavers by scores of 5-25, 1-25, and 5-25. 

CCNY (6-10, 1-1 CUNYAC) established control early, combining an efficient offensive attack with a strong serving performance to limit the Cougars' opportunities. The Beavers finished with 25 kills on 34 total attacks, hitting an impressive .647 for the match, while collecting 34 service aces. Danuzia Caixeta Palmer led the way with 12 service aces, three assists, and two kills, while Holly Guzman paced the team with eight kills and added four service aces. Ivanna Zamora Sanchez chipped in five kills without committing an attack error.

Kimora St. John and Danajah Lawrence each recorded a kill to lead the Cougars, while Sarah Vallon contributed one service ace and an assist.

Medgar Evers returned to action on Thursday, October 8, traveling to Hackettstown, N.J., to face Centenary College in a non-conference matchup at the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center. The Cougars lost the contest by scores of 9-25, 6-25, and 7-25. 

Centenary's serving game proved decisive once again, as the Cyclones registered 36 service aces and 15 kills while hitting .333 as a team. Poppy Skjonnemand and Rey Bennett each recorded seven service aces, with Skjonnemand finishing with three kills and Bennett adding two. Skjonnemand also contributed four assists, while setter Adrienne Xiao distributed eight assists and recorded five service aces.

For the Cougars, Moutiatou Djibring recorded Medgar Evers' lone kill of the match. Bryanna Merger added an assist, while Kristin Murray contributed a service ace. Vallon and St. John added two digs apiece in the defeat. 

Although the results did not go in their favor, the Cougars will have an opportunity to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next contest. Medgar Evers will return to action on Saturday, October 10, making the short trip to Pratt Institute for a non-conference clash against the Cannoneers. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m., as the Cougars look to secure their first victory of the season.