BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) women's volleyball team are on their way to the Skyline Championship for the first time since 2018 and only the second time since the Bears joined the Skyline Conference. 

Finishing the regular season 10-10 overall and 6-5 in conference play, the Bears clinched the sixth and final seed in the Skyline Championship. As the No. 6 seed, the Bears will head on the road to face No. 3 seed Farmingdale State College in the teams' first-round matchup on Tuesday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m. The timing, location, and opponent may all feel familiar and fresh for the Bears, after the two teams played this past Tuesday night, November 3, at the Walter A. Lynch Sports Center. Brooklyn fell in straight sets to the host Rams during the two teams' first tilt, and with playoff stakes on the line, they will look to reverse their fortunes during the upcoming rematch. 

Leading the team to its second-ever berth in the Skyline Championship, Carissa Zwiefelhofer (North Bend, WA) ranked 8th in the conference in kills and has connected on 205 so far this season. Zwiefelhofer has also had a hand in the Bears' balanced approach on the offensive side. Zwiefelhofer's team-leading 219 assists adds to teammates Abigail Encinia (Sunnyvale, TX) (142) and Abigail Medina's (Middle Village, NY) (104) fine efforts to steer the Bears attack. Balance has been just as crucial to the team's sturdy defense. Led by first-year Karson Brooks (Portland, OR), five Bears have amassed over 100 digs this season and have shared the load while thwarting their opponents' attacks. 

This playoff appearance for St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) will be the first for first-year Head Coach Michael McCullough and his staff. McCullough joined the team before the 2026 season after a successful stint on the coaching staff for both men's and women's volleyball at Hunter College. During his tenure, the Hawks collected multiple regular-season titles (men's and women's) and a CUNYAC championship (women's). His first chance to continue this postseason success with the Bears is now just up ahead in the team's first-round matchup against Farmingdale State. 

As the No. 2 seed in the Skyline Championship, Merchant Marine awaits the winner of the Bears playoff tilt with Farmingdale State and will host the following semifinal match in Kings Point on Thursday, November 12.