The Tompkins Cortland Community College volleyball team came tantalizingly close to picking up its first win of the year Saturday, eventually losing to North Country Community College 3-2 as part of an 0-3 day for the Panthers. Tompkins Cortland also lost to SUNY Adirondack and to Hudson Valley in matches hosted by Corning Community College. The Panthers are now 0-12 on the season.

The losses to Adirondack (25-12, 25-11, 25-12) and Hudson Valley (25-12, 25-12, 25-12) were both in straight sets, but the match against North Country went a full five sets. The Panthers took the first two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-19, and came so close to taking the third set before losing 27-25. The fourth set went to North Country comfortably, 25-12, before the final set went right down to the wire, with North Country pulling it out 15-13.

Several Panthers had their best statistical day of the season. Ashley Smith (Lansing H.S./Lansing) pounded out 23 kills while pulling out 22 digs. Amanda Green (Lansing H.S./Lansing) had 29 assists, 10 digs, and six aces. Nia Stipetic (Lansing H.S./Ithaca) had 21 digs and four aces and Madison Johnstone (Liberty H.S./Liberty) had nine kills and five blocks. Tiffanie White (George Washington Carver H.S./Queens) added 15 digs and two blocks and Jasmine Pooler (Moravia H.S./Moravia) chipped in with 10 digs and six assists.

Next up for Tompkins Cortland is a Region III Pod date at SUNY Broome on Saturday.