The City University of New York Athletic Conference have announced their All-Stars today, and among them are a pair of Dolphins who had spectacular seasons. Junior transfer Francesca Castellano was named an All-Star and took home the coveted Sportsmanship Award within the conference, while sophomore standout Margaret O’Malley-Rebovich was noted as an All-Star as well.
Castellano, who made her debut this season for the Dolphins, hit the ground running. A dynamic two-way player, she rarely came off of the court, posting a threat as an attacker at the top of the net while lending incredible defensive play behind the attacking line. Castellano placed second on the team with 175 kills on a team-high 546 total attacks, posting a .227 attacking percentage, the 5th-highest total in CSI history. Defensively she was just as strong, posting a team-best 309 digs, also the 5th-highest in single season history. Castellano’s 15 block assists and 46 service aces were among the team’s highest numbers.
Alongside her exploits on the court, Castellano facilitated a strong improvement in the CSI team this season, galvanizing the unit as a new face but as an experienced player. Her sportsmanship exhibited made her the top choice among all players nominated for the conference’s Sportsmanship Award.
Where Castellano excelled on the court, O’Malley-Rebovich was just flat-out unstoppable. Primarily used at the front of the rotation, O’Malley-Rebovich led the team with 191 kills on just 469 attacks, good for a school-record .307 hitting percentage. O’Malley-Rebovich also set school records for block assists with 30 and total blocks with 49, continuing her domination in the face of the net. When behind the service line, O’Malley-Rebovich posted 31 service aces, good for fourth on the squad.
The Dolphins posted a three-game improvement from a year ago in the overall standings and improved a game in the CUNYAC standings, finishing 10-15, 5-3, respectively. Brooklyn’s Michaela Appel won the CUNYAC Player of the Year honor, while fellow Bulldog standout Ezri Shor was named Rookie of the Year. Hunter coach Alyssa Broccoli was named Coach of the Year after an undefeated CUNYAC campaign. For a complete list of all-stars, click here.
