The 2023-24 spring season ends with a home tournament dedicated to the seniors Liz Seafin, Sam Arone, Liz Strebel, and Nikki Hladik. Tears filled the court as the final whistle blew to end the match. Binghamton’s hard hitters ended the match as the team hugged all the seniors because, for some, it was their last time playing with them.
Going undefeated in pool play gave the Cortland A team a bye in the first round of playoffs. On the other hand, the Cortland B team had to play Syracuse in the first round, a powerhouse in their league.
The B team was struggling, not getting good passes or sets to set up their hitters. It ended up getting them down 12 points. After a timeout was called by Cortland, everything changed. Regrouping as a team, getting point by point just for Cuse to call a timeout.
“I honestly don’t think they will win,” An A team player, Ashley Bernstein said. “But I want them to so we can beat them,” she said with confidence.
That did not stop Cortland’s momentum after the timeout. They kept pushing with hard hits and smart plays. They ended up coming out on top and defeating Cuse in the first round. Beating Cuse put the B team in the semifinals where they faced the A team.
This was a match everyone was anticipating. The A team needed their revenge as the B team had beaten them in the past two tournaments. In a back-and-forth match all game with points being traded continuously, no team was able to gain a significant lead, but the A team ended up coming out with the win, showing the B team who was on top.
For Cortland fans, it was sad to see a second-place finish, losing to Binghamton, a big team, with many girls 6 foot or over that dominated all tournament.
Posters were hung up by other team members and families with gift baskets that were given to the seniors to show appreciation for what they brought to the team.
After the emotions settle, Liz Serafin, Senior, and President walks off the court as her final days playing with this team soon come to an end.
“I’ve been a part of this club since I was a first year and took the role of becoming president my sophomore year,” Liz said. “It hurts to walk away but I am excited for nationals and my future with my career.”