CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announces its Women's Volleyball Athlete of the Decade, Coach of the Decade and All-Decade Team as nominated and voted on by the institution's sports information directors.
To be eligible for the All-Decade Team, athletes must have competed in the SUNYAC at least one season during the 2009-10 academic year through 2019-20 and athletes must have been named to the All-SUNYAC team more than once or named Athlete of the Year once. Athlete and Coach of the Decade recipients were previously named SUNYAC Athlete of the Year or Coach of the Year.
SUNYAC Women's Volleyball Athlete of the Decade - Grace Cergol, Geneseo
Cergol is the only player in SUNYAC history to be named the SUNYAC Player of the Year three times (2017-2019). She was also a four-time All-SUNYAC selection and two-time AVCA All-American (2017, 2019). She is Geneseo's program leader in career kills (1,593), ranks fourth in career digs (1,327) and ranks seventh in service aces (162). In 2018 Cergol helped lead the Knights to a 9-0 mark in the SUNYAC regular season earning the top seed into the conference tournament. The Knights advanced to the final for the first time since 2006. Cergol tore her ACL in the SUNYAC championship match and had to wait for the 2019 season to return to play. Geneseo was again 9-0 in conference regular season play in 2019. They earned the top seed into the SUNYAC tournament and made back-to-back appearances in the SUNYAC final for first time in program history.
SUNYAC Women's Volleyball Coach of the Decade - Steve Pike, Brockport
Pike led his team to four SUNYAC titles (2015-17, 19) which included three undefeated seasons (2015-17) in conference play. Pike was named the SUNYAC Coach of the Year three of the last five years. Since joining Brockport in 2013, he has a 164-70 overall record and a 46-17 record in SUNYAC play. The Golden Eagles have made the NCAA tournament in four of the last five years. In 2016, he guided Brockport to the NCAA third round after posting a 34-4 overall record and a 9-0 mark in conference play. In 2015, he led Brockport to a 34-2 overall record and the team made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The 34-2 ledger was the best record in the NCAA. Pike has been selected to help coach at the US Women's National Team tryout on multiple occasions.
2010's SUNYAC Women's Volleyball All-Decade Team (PDF)
Name |
School |
Hometown / HS |
Position |
Years Competed |
Kayla Barber |
Brockport |
South Glens Falls, N.Y. / South Glens Falls |
Outside Hitter |
2014-15 |
Sam Holdredge |
Brockport |
Brighton, N.Y. / Brighton |
Outside Hitter |
2015-16 |
Meaghan Mastro |
Brockport |
Apalachin, N.Y. / Apalachin |
Middle Blocker |
2017-Present |
Noelle Poloncarz |
Brockport |
Orchard Park, N.Y. / Orchard Park |
Setter |
2014-17 |
Kelsey Bashore |
Buffalo State |
Antwerp, OH / Antwerp |
Setter |
2011-13 |
Sam Parente |
Buffalo State |
E. Patchogue, N.Y. / Bellport |
Outside Hitter |
2011-14 |
Sheena Asibey |
Cortland |
Brentwood, N.Y. / Brentwood |
Middle Hitter |
2008-11 |
Ashley Coyle |
Cortland |
Mt. Hope, N.Y. / Minisink Valley |
Outside Hitter |
2008, 10-12 |
Kristen Guercio |
Cortland |
Smithtown, N.Y. / Smithtown |
Setter |
2009-12 |
Jessica DiChristopher |
Fredonia |
Cheektowaga, N.Y. / West Seneca East |
Middle Blocker |
2012-15 |
Brittany Lis |
Fredonia |
Lancaster, N.Y. / Lancaster |
Setter |
2008-11 |
Grace Cergol |
Geneseo |
East Northport, N.Y. / John Glenn |
Outside Hitter |
2016-19 |
Sam Mendelsohn |
Geneseo |
Williamsville, N.Y. / Williamsville East |
Defensive Specialist/Libero |
2016-19 |
Becca Borquist |
New Paltz |
Rhinebeck, N.Y. / Rhinebeck |
Outside Hitter |
2012-15 |
Carrie Hack |
New Paltz |
Baldwinsville, N.Y. / C.W. Baker |
Libero |
2010-13 |
Marissa King |
New Paltz |
Canadaigua, N.Y. / Canandaigua Academy |
Setter |
2010-13 |
Morgan Roessler |
New Paltz |
Massapequa, N.Y. / Massapequa |
Outside Hitter |
2013-16 |
Clara Culeton |
Oneonta |
Oswego, N.Y. / Oswego |
Middle Hitter |
2017-20 |
Rosi Cummings |
Plattsburgh |
Plattsburgh, N.Y. / Beekmantown |
Outside Hitter / Right Side |
2010-13 |