The Castleton women’s volleyball team was digging pink on Tuesday Oct. 19 when they defeated Southern Vermont, 3-0, by scores of 25-23, 25-23 and 20-25 in non-conference action. Castleton held this event for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is one of many schools around the country who host Dig Pink matches to help educate awareness and raise funds to help fight breast cancer.

But even with the festivities going on around them, Castleton was able to focus and come out on top with a victory. Ashley Kepaa had a team-high 10 kills, 12 assists, one service ace, 11 digs and a match-high three blocks to pace Castleton offensively.

The Spartans have won five out of their last seven games and with playoffs right around the corner Kepaa believes that the Spartans are playing their best volleyball at this point in the season.

“We finally found a rotation that works for everyone and one that makes everyone happy and produces wins,” Kepaa said.

Kepaa believes that although the team struggled a bit in the beginning of the season they are ready and prepared to come out on top when they begin playoffs.

“Our biggest problem was learning how to close games, but we are starting to overcome that,” said Kepaa. “This team has really grown up and grown together, and we are ready.

Head coach Bethany Torrice agrees.

“I think we are playing our best right now,” said Torrice. “I think that has to do with team chemistry and just the talent and the ability of our players. It’s just clicking for us.”

Torrice is very optimistic about playoffs and believes her team has a really strong chance.

“Anything can happen. We just have to put our best effort forth every game,” Torrice said.

Torrice said that the team needs to work on its consistency and capitalize on its success when the Spartans are playing their best volleyball. “We need to just stick to what we do best,” Torrice said.

Castleton earned the fourth seed in the tournament after traveling to Maine Saturday Oct. 23 and falling to the University of Maine- Farmington 3-1 and defeating Green Mountain 3-2. The Spartans will travel to Norwich Thursday Oct. 28 for non-conference action and will then host Green Mountain Saturday Oct. 30 for the first round.