Women's Volleyball Centenary Cyclones vs Medgar Evers: Senior Night

On Senior Night, the women Centenary Cyclones prevailed through a great matchup against Medgar Evers securing a 3–0 victory, winning three sets in a row. 

On this night, Centenary honored our hard working seniors Poppy Skjonnemand, Sofia Mendez, and Jenifer Thistlethwaite. 

The Cyclones took control early and set the tone, utilizing aggressive serving to build a comfortable advantage to gain momentum. The Cyclones recorded five kills and hit .286 leading to a 25–9 victory, including putting up a .333 hitting percentage by freshman Brittney Keeney, sophomore Rey Bennent, and sophomore Adrienne Xiao. 

Coaches Brooke and Dan Armida spoke on what Senior Night means to them.

Brooke Armida

“Senior Night is always emotional because these young women become so much more than just players to us. Poppy, Jen, and Sofia have each left their own special mark on our program, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to coach them. They’ve shown us that leadership comes in many different forms, whether it’s through their dedication, their resilience, their work ethic, or simply the way they make those around them better.” 

“What made this night so special wasn’t just the win, but watching their teammates celebrate them with so much genuine love and appreciation. That’s what our family-first culture is all about. Volleyball is what brought us together, but the relationships and memories we’ve built will last long after their final match. I’m incredibly proud of these three young women, and they will always have a home here at Centenary.” 

Dan Armida

“Senior Night is always emotional because it reminds us that the impact of an athlete goes far beyond wins, losses, and statistics. Jen, Poppy, and Sofia have each made this program better, not just through their effort and contributions on the court, but through their character, leadership, and the way they treat others.”

“Jen and Poppy believed in what we were building from day one and helped establish the foundation of our culture. Sofia joined us this year and brought an incredible spirit, positivity, and maturity to our team. As coaches, we hope to make a lasting impact on our athletes, but the truth is, these three have made just as meaningful an impact on us. Their legacy isn’t simply what they accomplished while wearing a Centenary uniform. It’s the people they’ve inspired, the relationships they’ve built, and the example they’ve set for those who follow. We couldn’t be prouder of them.”