This past weekend, Case Western Reserve University No-21-ranked volleyball team traveled to Manhattan to compete in the first UAA Round Robin hosted by New York University at the John A. Paulson Center. The Spartans faced off against the University of Rochester, No. 8-ranked Washington University, St. Louis and No.7-ranked Emory University. 

The Spartan’s busy weekend began with a matchup against Rochester. Despite the Yellowjackets taking the opening set, 25-19, the Spartans took the win after three consecutive set victories. 

Against Rochester, fourth-year outside hitter Rea Marfatia led the squad with 13 kills, followed by third-year middle blocker Amanda Ngo with 12. Third-year middle blocker Kiya Levy recorded a new season-high in kills, blocks and digs with 7, 6 and 5, respectively. First-year defensive specialist Sophia Datto recorded 18 digs, matching her career high. First-year setter Avery Basinger led in assists with 25, followed by fourth-year setter and right side hitter Carly Scott with 20. 

Following their win against Rochester, the Spartans continued with a second win for the day against WashU. The first set against WashU set the tone for the rest of the match as they played to 30 points with CWRU taking the marathon set 30-28. The Spartans claimed the victory after two consecutive attack errors made by the Bears. 

WashU won the following set, bringing the teams to a tie. However, the Spartans took the lead once again after a kill from Marfatia earned them the third set. During the fifth set, the teams traded points tying at 7 before the Spartans pulled ahead. They ended the match with another kill from Marfatia with the Spartans claiming a gratifying victory over the No.8-ranked Bears. 

Scott credits the win over the Bears to the team’s wealth of experience. 

“Having grit and playing with an experienced group on the court. When the game went to the 5th set, we knew we were going to win. We have won 5/5 5th set matches because we know how to win when the game is on the line,” she said. 

Offensively, Ngo led the team with 22 kills. Third-year outside hitter Kalli Wall, fourth-year middle blocker Lily Crouch and Marfatia all recorded double-digit kills aiding with the squad’s win over the Bears. During the match, Marfatia also recorded her 1000th career dig. 

The Spartans finished the weekend against Emory University. Although they eventually fell to the Eagles, the squad held their ground taking Emory to the fifth set. Fourth-year right side and outside hitter Chloe Maciejewski notched the final point of the fourth set with a kill, forcing the fifth set with the Eagles.

Reflecting on the weekend, Scott mentioned her favorite moment at the first conference round robin. 

“Beating WashU for the third time out of our last 4 games against them [was my favorite moment],” she said. “This is a team that historically our program has rarely beaten, and the 3rd win just solidified how much this program has grown in the last 4 years. Also, even though we lost, the game against Emory was so competitive and fun, and that’s my favorite kind of game. We [left] the weekend hoping to face them again in the UAA championship.” 

On Oct. 1, the squad moved up five places and currently ranks No. 16 nationally in Division III by the AVCA Coaches Poll. With this new ranking, the Spartans surpassed their previous ranking of 21 which was previously recorded as the highest in program history. 

“We have such a veteran group with 9 seniors. We have helped to build this program over the past 4 years, and we want to leave it all on the court for our final season. We have been very successful at winning in pressure situations this season, and that’s because of our experience and mentality,” Scott commented on factors she believed contributed to the historic season. 

“The goals for the rest of the season are to play our best volleyball. I believe that if we play well, we can go undefeated in the remaining games this season. The attainable goal from this would be winning the UAA championships for the first time, and making a run in the NCAA tournament,” Scott said. 

The Spartans will have a week off before traveling to St. Louis to participate in the second UAA Round Robin against No. 20-ranked NYU and Brandeis University hosted by WashU.