CHAMPIONS AGAIN! BMCC Women's Volleyball Captures 2026 CUNY Community College Championship
New York, NY - The wait is over! The Borough of Manhattan Community College Women's Volleyball team is back on top of the CUNY Community College volleyball world! Behind a dominant tournament performance, the top-seeded Panthers captured the 2026 CUNY Community College Women's Volleyball Championship, ending a three-year championship drought and bringing the conference title back to BMCC for the first time since 2022.
Led by first-year Head Coach Felix Puno, the Panthers entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed after an impressive regular season that saw them finish with a 7-1 record in conference play. With momentum, confidence, and championship aspirations on their side, BMCC was determined to finish what it started.
BMCC opened its championship journey against the fourth-seeded Caimans of Hostos Community College. Having already defeated Hostos twice during the regular season and riding a six-match winning streak, the Panthers entered the semifinal matchup with plenty of confidence. From the opening serve, BMCC made it clear that it had no intention of slowing down. The Panthers dominated the first set, cruising to a convincing 25-11 victory. The momentum continued into the second set, where BMCC maintained control on both sides of the net to secure a 25-15 win. With a trip to the championship match just one set away, the Panthers delivered their most dominant performance of the afternoon. BMCC overwhelmed the Caimans in the third set, winning 25-9 to complete the straight-set sweep and punch its ticket to the CUNY Championship match. The victory extended BMCC's winning streak to seven matches and put the Panthers one win away from reclaiming the conference crown.
Following their semifinal victory, the Panthers awaited the winner of the matchup between Queensborough Community College and LaGuardia Community College. In a thrilling five-set battle, LaGuardia knocked off Queensborough to set up a championship showdown with top-seeded BMCC.
With the conference championship on the line, the Panthers once again rose to the occasion. Unlike their dominant semifinal opener, BMCC faced a tougher challenge in the championship match. LaGuardia battled throughout the opening set, but the Panthers remained composed and executed when it mattered most, pulling away for a 25-21 victory. The second set proved to be the most competitive of the championship. LaGuardia pushed BMCC to the limit, but the Panthers demonstrated the poise and determination that had defined their championship season. With the set hanging in the balance, BMCC delivered in the crucial moments to secure a narrow 25-23 win and move within one set of the title. With championship glory in sight, the Panthers refused to let the opportunity slip away. BMCC took control of the third set, keeping LaGuardia on its heels before closing out the match with a 25-17 victory.
BMCC's championship run was fueled by a complete team effort, with several Panthers earning recognition for their outstanding performances throughout the tournament.
Jamyah Mohammed and
Wilyne Lincifort were both named to the CUNY All-Tournament Team, recognizing their contributions to the Panthers' championship success. Leading the way was
Harony Frias, whose exceptional tournament performance earned her the prestigious CUNY Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. The three standout performers helped lead a Panthers squad that did not drop a single set during its championship run, winning all six sets across the semifinal and championship matches.
For first-year Head Coach Felix Puno, the championship represents a remarkable accomplishment in his debut season leading the Panthers. After guiding BMCC to a 7-1 conference record and the No. 1 seed in the CUNY Tournament, Puno capped off his first campaign with the program's first conference championship since 2022. The championship drought is over. The trophy is coming home.
Congratulations to Head Coach Felix Puno, Tournament MVP Harony Frias, All-Tournament selections Jamyah Mohammed and Wilyne Lincifort, and the entire BMCC Women's Volleyball team on capturing the 2026 CUNY Community College Championship!
