Lightning Volleyball Building Momentum

Make it three wins in a row for the suddenly streaking Lightning.

Tuesday night at the Apex Lehman toppled CUNYAC rival York College to move to 5-4 on the season, 3-1 in the conference, and in the process further distanced themselves from their subpar performance a week ago against Mount Saint Vincent.

“After the blackout against Mount,” said Coach Wolfgang Lucena, “the team has been much more focused on winning each and every game.”

A common theme during the Lightning's recent run has been the ability to get on the scoreboard early. Against York they took it to another level, bursting out of the gate in the first set behind the serving of Lisa Jagdeo to grab a 9-0 lead in the blink of an eye.

Despite looking overmatched at the outset, York regained their composure and fought back to within three points at 18-15. Serving to try and hold off the Cardinals, Besa Zabelaj recorded two aces and captain Jennifer Winkler slammed home two kills to push the lead back to eight during the 5-0 Lehman run. Lehman eventually closed out the set 25-18.

The second set was déjà vu for Lehman. Once again, junior Lisa Jagdeo was in the middle of the action. With Jagdeo serving, a recuperated Gerri-Ann Martin put away five kills to kickstart a 10-0 spurt by the Lightning that broke the second set backs of the Cardinals and sent Lehman on their way to the 25-8 set win.

“When Gerri-Ann is on the court,” said Lucena, “there is confidence throughout the team.”

Up 2-0, Lucena made wholesale substitutions, a decision that almost came back to bite him as York played spirited volleyball in taking the third set 25-21. For Lucena, the substitution pattern was not out of the ordinary.

“I don't believe in 'bench' players,” said Lucena. “We're trying to have everyone ready all the time.”

Lehman regained the level of play that they showed earlier in the evening in the fourth set. Three aces by Zabelaj were part of a beginning 10-2 stretch that put York in the rear view mirror as Lehman closed out the match 25-13.

“Consistency in volleyball is key,” said Lehman assistant coach Joel Sanchez, “and right now every contact with the ball has a reason.”

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