The College of Staten Island women’s volleyball program opens up their 2018 campaign today, hosting a tri-match against St. Joseph’s – Brooklyn and Cairn University. The Dolphins will look to start their season off with a pair of wins, putting them on the path to success.
CSI vs. ST. JOSEPH’S – BROOKLYN / CAIRN UNIVERSITY
Matchup: College of Staten Island (0-0) vs. SJCBK (0-0) / Cairn (0-0)
Where: The Tank – 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY
All-Time Series: SJCBK leads 13-8 / Cairn Leads 1-0
Players to Watch (CSI): The Dolphins have added key pieces to their team since last season. Joining Cassidy Iannariello, Margaret O’Malley-Rebovich and Caitlin Esposito will be junior transfer Francesca Castellano and rookies Jay-La Guy and Arianna Spears. All three will look to help lift the Dolphins to a pair of victories to start the season off on the right foot by defending their home court. O’Malley-Rebovich was named CUNYAC Rookie of the Week last season and will want to continue that success this season after finishing third on the team with 101 kills and first in blocks with 43. Esposito led the team in kills and attacks.
Players to Watch (SJCBK): Briana Marrazzo is the only returner from a season ago. Last season she notched 19 matches and finished with 76 kills and 12 assists. She was one of the premier servers for the Bears last season, tallying 36 aces which finished second on the team.
Players to Watch (CU): Haley Sheehan returns for her senior season for the Highlanders after leading the team with 177 kills last season finishing third on the team with five blocks. Liz White, Cairn’s setter, looks to slot right back into the starting lineup where she left off last season and continue leading the team in assists after posting 175 last year.
News & Notes: Staten Island will look to open their season 2-0 for the first time since the 2014 season, a season in which they finished 11-14. Last season the Dolphins squared off against the Bears and fell in five sets, a feeling they won’t forget. In their lone meeting in history, the Highlanders defeated the Dolphins in straight sets last season, giving the Dolphins motivation to defeat the intruders.
