Spartans Capture Final Match of Season on ‘Dig Pink’ Night

Cayuga Community College Spartans Volleyball closed the season Wednesday like they started it in September — with a win over Tompkins Cortland Community College.

On a night when both teams wore pink jerseys for "Dig Pink" to raise breast cancer awareness, the Spartans dominated most of the match, winning in straight sets by scores of 25-20, 25-13 and 25-16. The teams met at the start of the season, with the Spartans overcoming an early 2-0 deficit to win 3-2.

Coach Kiana Younis said the Spartans played their best match of the season Wednesday, with their communication and defense leading the team to the win.

"It was definitely our best play of the season. The team played great together, and their defense was great, which is something we've struggled with this season," she said. "I'm very proud of them, and they deserved this win."

The Spartans led by several points for most of the first match, and built an early lead of 9-2 in the second set before coasting to the 25-13 win. The Panthers kept the third match close for much of the way, knotting the score at 11 before the Spartans scored five straight points with Marrin Owens serving to take control of the match.

Playing their final match with the Spartans, sophomores Cassie Nolte, Paige Lane and Owens led the team statistically. Nolte finished with a team-high 14 digs and tied Lane with 12 kills. Owens finished with four aces and 26 assists.