Riverdale, NY - During the pivotal stretch of Skyline Conference play in the final week of March, the UMSV men's volleyball team battled through a demanding slate—falling in a tight contest to Old Westbury before securing key wins over Yeshiva University and Sarah Lawrence College. The run was driven in large part by a breakout performance from freshman outside hitter José Dominguez.

Dominguez totaled 43 kills and eight aces across the three matches, earning Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week honors and emerging as a crucial presence among his fellow Dolphins. According to him and his teammates, however, this is only the tip of the iceberg that is Dominguez' potential.

While Dominguez' recent performances have put him in the spotlight, his path to this moment began only a few years ago.

Unlike many collegiate athletes, Dominguez did not grow up playing volleyball. He first picked up the sport as a freshman at Teaneck High School, initially planning to pursue other athletic opportunities before being encouraged by friends to give volleyball a try.

"I wasn't originally going to play," Dominguez said. "But my friends told me to come out, and once I did, I had a really good experience."

That experience quickly turned into something more. After making the junior varsity team, Dominguez continued to develop his game, eventually earning a spot on varsity and emerging as a key contributor. By his upperclassman years, he had stepped into a leadership role—and it was during his senior year, following his first full club season at Pinnacle Volleyball Club, that he began to see college volleyball as a realistic path.

"I was dominating," he recalled. "That's when I understood how good I was getting and how much smarter I actually was with volleyball."

From there, the recruiting process began, ultimately leading him to the University of Mount Saint Vincent—a decision that, for Dominguez, was about more than just volleyball. It was about finding the right environment.

When he first visited campus during his senior year of high school, the decision began to take shape almost immediately.

"I came here on Halloween, and I just fell in love with it," Dominguez said. "It felt like somewhere I could be."

Close to his home in New Jersey, the campus offered both familiarity and opportunity. Just as important was the connection he built with head coach Jeremiah Hunt and members of the team, which helped solidify his decision.

"I really liked the coach, and meeting some of the guys made it feel right," he said.

Behind the scenes, one of the biggest influences in that journey was his mother. From high school matches to now his collegiate career, she has remained a constant presence in the stands and played an active role in helping him navigate the recruiting process—going as far as compiling a full list of collegiate men's volleyball programs across all divisions.

"She printed out every school that had men's volleyball. She made me believe," Dominguez said. "Her providing and helping me go here, I'm more than a son [to her]. I'm so really grateful."

With his mother's support behind him, Dominguez arrived at UMSV not only prepared to compete, but motivated to make the most of the opportunity. His goals were clear: improve statistically, become a consequential player, and compete for Skyline Rookie of the Year honors. However, while that potential has been evident throughout the season, the transition to the collegiate level was not without its challenges.

"I'm not going to say I underperformed, but I didn't reach my expectations," Dominguez admitted.

One of the biggest adjustments, he noted, was the level of discipline required in all aspects of the game. At the college level, success is not defined by power alone, but by precision and decision-making.

"It's more about thinking than about just being nonchalant and relying on your talent," Dominguez explained. "It's a lot more skill-based. Learning how to hit around a big block, tool a big block, or place a ball without having to hit it as hard as I can really, really changed me."

Early in the season, Dominguez struggled at times with consistency, particularly when facing stronger defensive systems and more disciplined blocks. Adjusting mid-play and limiting errors became key areas of focus—ones that, at times, frustrated him.

But those frustrations ultimately became part of his growth.

Outside of matches and team practices, Dominguez began putting in additional work, especially alongside setter Christian Ferrer, to hone his timing, space, and control. Those extra reps helped him better understand not only his own role, but how he fits within the team's system.

Part of that growth came in developing a stronger connection with setter Ferrer. Together, they worked on Dominguez' ability to read and adjust to a variety of plays. One play in particular, the "go" ball—a specific low-trajectory set that aims to beat opposing blockers to the pin—became his personal favorite.

"It's fast, it's aggressive, and it lets me play freely," Dominguez explained.

Beyond the physical adjustments, Dominguez emphasized that his biggest development this season has been mental. Learning how to operate within a new team environment—and how to communicate effectively—has been just as important as any technical skill.

"You have to have a way bigger, opener mind," Dominguez said. "Not everything is personal, but it's definitely important the way you talk to others. You gotta be well-communicated and well-thought out, and your team has to be on the same page or you will not succeed."

For Dominguez, that meant learning how to trust his teammates—and allowing them to trust him in return.

"They always keep me in the game," he said. "If I make a mistake, they're telling me, 'you got the next one.'"

That trust has shaped the way he approaches each point. Rather than trying to take over matches on his own, Dominguez does his best to embrace playing within the rhythm of the team—feeding off their energy while contributing his own.

"When I'm hype, I want my teammates to feed off that," he said.

At the same time, he recognizes how quickly that energy can shift.

"We have so much energy," Dominguez said. "But when one mistake happens, we break apart."

For Dominguez, overcoming those moments is the next step—not just individually, but collectively.

"We have to push through and realize, 'we are this team. We are this good. We can make these kinds of plays,'" he said. "It's a mentality."

That mentality was tested in UMSV's regular-season finale against St. Joseph's University Brooklyn, where the Dolphins fell in a narrow defeat. Despite the result, the match reflected the team's growth—and the level they are capable of competing at.

"It's only a loss if you don't learn from it," Dominguez said. "Every down moment helps me grow."

Looking ahead, Dominguez' focus has already begun to shift toward what comes next—both academically and athletically.

In the classroom, Dominguez has set high standards for himself, aiming to remain disciplined in his work as a student while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics. In specific, he wants to continue making the Dean's List every semester, step up as a peer leader, and secure his degree in Business Administration. On the court, Dominguez is aiming to refine his game and reach major statistical milestones in both kills and aces while helping the Dolphins chase the Skyline Conference title. For him, achieving all goals is not an unattainable goal—it all comes down to habits, mindset, and consistent effort.

"Being consistent… you become undeniable," he said.

Dominguez' impact has not gone unnoticed by his teammates.

"I believe José won Rookie of the Week because he is devoted," Ferrer said. "I've played with a lot of athletes—high school, college, club—and I've never met someone who's truly a dog like that. He brings energy to the game the way it's supposed to be played. He pushes his teammates to be better players and better people. He's not just one of my best friends—he's a very talented, very devoted volleyball player. And I think this is just the beginning for him."

For Dominguez and the Dolphins, this season has been one of growth, adjustment, and real promise. And if his recent performances are any indication, it truly appears this is just the first of an exciting four years for the volleyball program. 

UMSV senior Sean Schools is the author of this article