The College of Staten Island athletic program will score one for the record books this morning, about 45 miles away from campus, as the Dolphins newest program, Men’s Volleyball, travels to Ramapo College for a season-opening tri-match. The Dolphins will take on the host Roadrunners at 10am, followed by The City College of New York at 12pm. Although CCNY plays within the CUNYAC, that match will not count towards conference standings. It’s the season-opening games for all teams.
The Dolphins are led by first-year head coach Juan Lopez, who expects to see a lot out of his team, but knows that nerve levels will be high. “I’m sure we will all be nervous but we are very anxious to get underway,” he said. “Our players are finally looking for the chance to show what they can do at this level.”
Look for CSI to be led by captain Brian Sheydvasser, alongside players like Justin Edwardsen and Philip Szumanski. CSI’s lineup boasts 11 players, and Lopez expects many to see action, expecially on a monumental day like today.
Ramapo comes into the tri-match the most seasoned, having tempered a 25-11 overall record a year ago. They turned over much of their lineup, however, and feature 13 freshmen and sophomores on a 14-man roster. CCNY weathered through a 9-20 season a year ago, but also have a very young squad, with 9 of 12 players boasting freshmen or sophomore status. That should level the playing field considerably this afternoon.
All games of the tri-match will be covered live through statistical feed HERE.
