Kyle Robinson wanted to build a program that was respected and could compete nationally when he took over the Long Island University women’s volleyball team seven years ago.
It looks like that time has come.
The veteran Blackbirds put the program on the national map by beating No. 25-ranked Michigan State on its home floor en route to winning the Spartan Invitational in late September. It was the program’s first-ever victory over a nationally ranked program. It brought an added confidence to the players and a realization they can leave the Blackbirds, who have won the last two Northeast Conference titles, better than when they started.
“It’s really nice to see that we got to that next level — that we can not only win the NEC, but we can also do more,” said star senior opposite hitter Annika Fiot. “We can maybe even win a match in the [NCAA] tournament if we get that far.”
Long Island University went 10–4 in nonconference play and won its first conference match of the season against St. Francis (Brooklyn) on Oct. 28. The Blackbirds team has beaten programs like Alabama, Temple, Fresno State and Boston College. Robinson believes this type of success has been building over the years. His club’s top three players Foit, senior outside hitter Tamara Ignjic and junior setter Vera Djuric have played together for three seasons.
“I think it is a build up of all the work we have been doing the past few years,” Robinson said. “It just doesn’t come over night.”
The older group sees this season as its final chance to pick up an NCAA tournament victory. Beating teams like Michigan State will help the Blackbirds’ seeding. Last season’s club had to face second-seeded Penn State on its home floor in the opening round. Beating Michigan State shows them they can compete with top-level teams.
“We are all juniors and seniors,” Foit said. “We have been through a lot and played against good teams. Also, we know this is our last chance for most of us. We want to do it now.”
The addition of skilled freshman middle blocker Sonija Vukosavljevic has helped fill the hole left by the graduation of stalwart Jessica Rice. All the traveling and nonconference games have Robinson feeling like his team hasn’t peaked yet. A light schedule will allow the team to work on being more cohesive and to fine tune aspects of its game moving forward.
“I really do believe the best is yet to come,” Robinson said.”
