Often the loss of a star player is enough to temper expectations for an upcoming season.
Not so for Lehman College women's volleyball coach Wolfgang Lucena.
“This season is going to be one of the best seasons Lehman College has ever had.”
High praise for a team that will be without libero Jillian Acevedo, a First Team CUNYAC All-Star selection in 2009 and the admitted glue that held the team together.
“It's really, really bad news for us that she's not going to be part of the team,” said Lucena of Acevedo who led the team with 451 digs.
That being said, a roster stocked with weapons will help soften the blow and is the main reason for his bold prediction for 2010.
One certainty will be the play of fellow 2009 CUNYAC First Team All-Star Gerri-Ann Martin. Last season Martin participated in a team-leading 102 sets while leading the team in kills (380) and service aces (67). Her 257 digs were good for second on the team and her nine solo blocks were good for third.
“She is a monster player as an outside hitter,” said Lucena.
Also garnering effusive praise from Coach Lucena is sophomore Racine Brown, who was among the conference leaders in blocks and placed fourth on the Lightning with 106 kills.
“I don't know how many middle hitters there are like her in the CUNY conference,” said Lucena. “She is really good.”
Senior Ashley Meany was a difference maker in '09 for Lehman with 109 kills and should be again in 2010. Her previous experience having played Division I volleyball at St. Francis (NY) will continue to have an impact on the team.
In talking about the importance of returning junior setter Lisa Jagdeo, Coach Lucena joked that the team might have to forfeit should she not be able to take the court for a match. Not far from the truth, Jagdeo ranked in the top five in CUNY in assists and service aces and will be asked to once again keep the Lightning running smoothly.
Others who will be looked upon to contribute right away include newcomers Vanessa Brown and Perla Valentin. Brown, a transfer from Bronx Community College, is actually a familiar face to Coach Lucena thanks in part to the two having won a CUNYAC Community College championship together when Lucena was an assistant coach with the program. An outside hitter whose skills will allow her to play just about anywhere on the court, Brown will be a “really dangerous problem for other schools” according to Lucena.
Valentin, a freshman libero from Yonkers, may be one of the most important parts of the team along with returning sophomore Shayla Thompkins as they will be asked to help offset the loss of Acevedo.
“With Perla helping Shayla,” said Lucena, “it is going to be really easy for Lisa (Jagdeo) to set the ball for our hitters.”
One season ago the Lightning bowed out of the CUNYAC playoffs after a tough four set loss to eventual runner up Baruch College. Undoubtedly, the loss sticks in the minds of his players.
“I'm pretty sure they're getting ready to beat Hunter and Baruch,” said Lucena. “That is their big concern, trying to compete against the top teams.”
If one is to believe Coach Lucena and his preseason predictions, however, the Lehman College Lightning just might be one of the teams that others are worrying about.
