By: John Jay Sports Information
This week, johnjayathletics.com caught up with former John Jay women's volleyball and softball player Ashley Diaz ('15). Diaz was a four-year student-athlete for the women's volleyball program and also played softball in her final season. We caught up with Diaz to discuss her John Jay College memories, post-graduation, and the lessons she learned as a Bloodhound.
1) Where has life taken you since you graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice?
Life has taken me many places since I graduated. I became the first female in the Army National Guard for New York to be part of a combat Military Occupational Status or 'MOS'. I see it as paving the way for other females that want to be a part of a combat MOS in the National Guard. It's not easy but totally worth it. I mean, if anyone can do it, it's us females. :)
2) What personal or professional accomplishment(s) are you most proud of since you graduated?
I am most proud of completing basic training almost immediately after graduating from John Jay. I then completed school for my MOS (13B, Field Artillery).
3) What are you most proud of from your time as a Bloodhound?
One of my proudest moments as a Bloodhound had to be the way we felt and the faces of satisfaction from all my teammates when we worked so hard and applied all we learned into winning games. Even when we lost, we knew we worked extremely hard but winning is another kind of euphoria.
4) What advice would you give your college self/current Bloodhounds?
Everything, after becoming an adult, is complicated. The most important thing to keep in mind is that giving up isn't an option. If I gave up after the hardships I've experienced, I'd be stuck in the same place of disappointment. Simply, never give up.
5) What did you learn in your time at John Jay that has stayed with you in your post-collegiate life?
In my time at John Jay, I learned to ALWAYS BE ON TIME. Especially if you hate running.
6) Are you still involved with sports? If so, how?
I am still involved with sports. I play for the PPWSL (Prospect Park women's softball league) and for a NYC Social volleyball team.
2018 Women's Volleyball Season Update: The women's volleyball program is currently on a six-match win streak and is 10-6 overall and 4-3 in the CUNY Athletic Conference. The Bloodhounds recently came off a CUNYAC sweep against Baruch and Lehman to place them fourth in the conference. Sophomore
Brianna Geraldo leads the way with a team-high 202 points and team-high 190 kills. The outside hitter is also second on the team in digs with 173. Junior
Kimberly Rodriguez leads the conference in assists per set (9.67) and services aces per set (0.90). John Jay is gearing up for another postseason run with the CUNYAC Quarterfinals starting on Tuesday, October 30. The CUNYAC Championship is scheduled for Friday, November 2, at 8:00 pm.
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