Bronx, N.Y. - In an effort to highlight our academically and athletically successful Caiman student athletes the Hostos athletic department will be highlighting one student athlete per month in our Caiman Spotlight series. For the month of November our Caiman Spotlight will be featuring women's volleyball player Ashly Cabral. Ashly is a sophomore Liberal Arts and Sciences major at Hostos and has been a two year starter for the women's volleyball team. Ashly position is Setter and she has helped lead the Caimans to back to back CUNYAC playoff appearances including a trip to the CUNYAC championship game her freshman year. During that freshman year Cabral was named a CUNYAC All-Star and over her career she has compiled 457 total career assists and 110 digs.

Ashly is a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and has had a passion for Volleyball since age 14. Below is the ten question Caimans Spotlight with Ashly Cabral:

1.) What made vou come to Hostos?
 
Since I am coming from a foreign country, some family friends advised me to go to a two-year school to start getting familiarized with the language and their way of teaching before I'll go into a four-year college.
 
2.) What are you looking for in a four-year college?
 
Getting my bachelor degree in Nursing R.N and playing Volleyball.
 
3.) What is your major and what profession do you want to enter after college?
 
My major is Liberal Arts and Science, I want to transfer to a four-year college and become a nurse.
 
4.) What is your favorite memory during your time at Hostos?
 
My first season playing volleyball, I felt like a star and we had a great season going all the way to the CUNYAC championship game.
 
5.) Tell me about Coach Perla & the entire coaching staff? What is the best part of playing for Coach Perla?

Coach Marien and Coach Johnny are the funny part of the coaching staff, of course Perla is funny too. What I mean is Marien is Mr. Patience and is incredibly talented and Johnny wasn't that patience but always made us smile with his annoying games and he really knows about things and gives really good advice. I love Perla because in the two seasons I have been with her, I have always felt that she understands me and knows me more than I do myself. She's patient and kind. She understand you when you're having a bad day, and never gets mad at you even if you don't play well because she knows your potential and knows how to talk to you in a certain way that makes you feel comfortable to talk about it with her. I'm glad I got to spend the last two seasons with them all because I learned a lot and thanks to them, I love the sport of volleyball even more!!!!
 
6.) Who has been the most influential person in your life?
 
Oh boy that is a tough question, my parents, family and coaches are all important to me. I am very dependent on the people around me. Most of the things that I do, is because I do it for myself, to accomplish myself but at the same time, I always need and appreciate the support of people I consider important in my life.
 
 7.) Tell me about your teammates this year?
 
This year, I have amazing and talented teammates. We really got to know each other because we were together six days a week which created a connection and bond between us. I'm not very talkative but I know that if one day I need them, they will be there for me.
 
8.) When did you start playing volleyball and why do you love to play?
 
I started playing Volleyball on a club team in my country when I was 14 years old. When I was in that club, I had to pay for everything and we didn't have the resource to have a proper training but I loved it there because I was still learning, and that's what showed me how much I love the sport of volleyball because I sacrifice a lot to make the time to play it.
 
9.) Tell us one thing about you that no one at Hostos knows? (hobby, something you like to do, something you are a fan of, can be anything)
 
I love Stitch from the movie "Lilo and Stitch" and I love Bruno Mars.
 
10.) What would your advice be to a new incoming student athlete to Hostos?
 
1. Keeping your grades; you cannot be a good athlete without being a good student.
2. Talk with you coaches about any question or concern you have before the season starts.
3. Organize your schedule accordingly with the season schedule.
4. Time management; manage your time so you can be successful at school, in the gym and in your life.
5. Respect yourself as a person and as an athlete.
6. Always listen to your coaches.
7. Enjoy and understand your learning processes.
8. Be patient with yourself and coaches.