Hofstra University volleyball began the season with two big wins, but then things took a rough turn when two key players suffered ankle injuries. Coach Emily Mansur said not having setter Beatriz Alves and outside hitter Yagmur Cinel in the lineup was definitely a disadvantage, but their absence made everyone unite. The team is currently 11–6 overall and 7–1 in CAA (Coastal Athletic Association) conference action.
“These are people who have played the whole time they’ve been here,” said Mansur, who’s in her 11th season as head coach of the Pride. “We were faced with big decisions to make and changes, but everyone has stepped up and we started to build as a team. It’s been really cool to see the development of everybody.”
Alves returned to action in the matches against Northeastern last weekend. Cinel is slowly working her way back. Getting Alves and Cinel, both team captains, back and healthy is exciting, and the team is collectively happy about their current play and looking forward to building on the momentum. “We’re easing them back in and giving them a chance to get used to being on the court again,” said Mansur.
The team has four freshmen and five sophomores, and Mansur said the coaching staff has been pleased to see some of the young players step up. “The team rallied together to go through this tough time that we encountered and did not get defeated by some obstacles we had until we were able to figure out what we wanted to do,” Mansur said. “They put their shoulders back and said, ‘Let’s get through it,’ and it’s been very big for us.”
Among the players stepping up is sophomore middle blocker Iyanna Garvin. “It’s so cool to watch her growth,” said Mansur. “She is such a big personality on our team. She is a super athletic and determined kid that really wants to do a pretty aggressive, nice job, which is very good for the position that she plays.”
A big win over Stony Brook provided a confidence boost and created momentum for the volleyball team. “This is a team that can fight to really win the CAA, and we’re all starting to realize that this is a pretty special team,” Mansur said.
This weekend, Hofstra travels to Wilmington, N.C., to take on University of North Carolina Wilmington in matches on Saturday and Sunday. The next home match is Oct. 26 versus the University of Delaware.