The CCSU Women’s Volleyball team fell to 0-2 against conference rivals Chicago State on Saturday, being swept 3-0.
The two games this past weekend was the first matchup between Chicago State and CCSU this year, as 2024 marks the first academic season that the Chicago State Cougars are full members of the Northeast Conference.
Despite standout defensive performances from Kaylin Hadley, Amanda Tokam, and Olivia Keckler, and key offensive production from Madison Massaro-Cook, Lauren Milani, and Annabelle Denomme, the Cougars routed the Blue Devils for the 2nd match in a row.
During the first set, Central kept it close with Chicago State before the Cougars made headway with four consecutive kills to make it 9-5, and despite gaining back a bit of ground in consecutive possessions, the first set ended 25-18 in Chicago State’s favor.
The second set started with long streaks of Chicago possessions, and although specific plays by 18 + 12 rallied the team, Chicago State dominated 25-8. The third and final set saw Central finally take a lead after a Chicago State error, and although the Devils kept it close throughout the remainder of the set, Chicago was able to keep their advantage and win the final set 25-17 on a CCSU net serve, sweeping the Blue Devils.
For one Chicago State player, however, the trip to New Britain was a familiar one.
Zahara Quraishi, outside hitter for Chicago State, is very familiar with the capitol region of Connecticut. She grew up in West Hartford and attended the University of Hartford last year before transferring to Chicago State. In high school she was a two-time state champion and named as an all-conference and all-academic athlete in her senior year, and as a Hartford Hawk was named the school’s Women’s Volleyball MVP for the 2023-24 season as well as being on the Dean’s List. When asked about returning to her home state, Quraishi said she “…really enjoyed seeing all these familiar faces, especially some people who I’ve played with,” referencing local Connecticut players who she sparred with in the past.
On the other side of the court, Madison Massaro-Cook spoke to us about Central’s lack of success against Chicago State over the weekend. Madison mentioned that the team would need to “…work extra harder than we did between the previous weeks.” However, she also reiterated that the team’s morale would not be flattened after the loss. “If we come together and kinda erase things that happen and only look at the future to move forward, I think it will be a solid thing that will help us gain success. It definitely sucks, and it definitely hurts, but it’s motivation to be better and just work harder.”
The Blue Devils will return to action for a pair of games at St Francis University on October 11th and 12th.
