CUNY Athletic Conference volleyball play begins tonight at The Doghouse, home court for the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Bloodhounds. The scent of success is in the air, as the Bloodhounds won both the men’s and women’s CUNYAC soccer titles and secured trips to their respective NCAA Division III Tournaments. Having clinched the CUNYAC regular season title, the women’s volleyball team now aims to lock in their spot on the national stage at the conference tournament, where they are the top seed.
“This team is very adaptable; they listen to every instruction that’s going on, and they’re willing to make any adjustments according to what’s needed for the program as well as what’s needed for each other,” said interim head coach Jonathan Vasquez. “They’re willing to adjust as a team to lead to the final results of a win.”
Freshman setter Ansley Hobson came to New York City from Florida to study forensic science. Criminal procedure television shows fueled her interests, but in the gym and on the court, the quick bond she formed with her volleyball teammates has heightened her college experience.
“I like how everyone [on the team] has different personalities, and everyone gets along really well,” said Hobson. “Our whole team dynamic is really good. They’re fun to be around.”
Sophomore middle blocker Madison Mullen came to John Jay from upstate New York. She is studying criminal justice and her goal is to become a police officer, as so many of the college’s alumni have done.
“Some of our professors are past police officers; meeting them is super cool and being able to hear their stories and experiences,” said Mullen, who is a two-sport athlete and will join John Jay’s women’s basketball team at the conclusion of volleyball season.
Mullen said the personalities on the volleyball team complement each other. “We’re all really positive people,” she said.
“We’ve definitely had our ups and downs this season, but when we’re up it’s really good. In the CUNYAC play, we all played really well together. We locked in. I’m honestly looking forward to playing with my team at the CUNYAC tournament. Usually, when we have a big crowd, we play really well.”
The Bulldogs enter the CUNYAC tournament 9–19 overall, which includes some tough nonconference opponents, and 6–1 in conference play.
