January 20, 2021

SUNYAC All-Decade Awards Released for Women's Volleyball

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