The Sinclair women’s volleyball team’s traditional jersey colors of red and black were given a splash of pink Wednesday night during the annual Dig for a Cure volleyball game.
Behind strong play from outside attackers Jessica Thobe (11 kills, 17 digs and 3 aces) and Brianna Breeding (13 kills), and setter Tara Eades (37 assists), the Tartan Pride (25-4, 5-3) dispatched of the Findlay University JV squad 3-0, winning each set by at least 10 points (25-15, 25-9 and 25-12).
Eades attributed the success of her chemistry with Thobe and Breeding to effective communication.
“We all talk to each other a lot on the court and off the court,” Eades said. “They talk to me and tell me how they like their sets.”
The trio helped the Tartan Pride build early, insurmountable leads in each set with active hands, quick thinking and a constant defensive presence around the net. Sinclair, which ranks 15th in the nation in total kills (1,106) and 9th in kills per set (13.65) according to National Junior College Athletic Association statistics, added 42 more against Findlay University in a dominant effort.
Thobe acknowledged how well the back row enables her scoring chances.
“I think definitely our back row has been a big factor,” Thobe said. “When we get a good pass and we get good sets, then we can put the ball down. I think our back row has been really helpful this year.”
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Tartan Pride donned pink T-shirts during pregame warm-ups, which were highlighted with the Supergirl logo– the traditional pink breast cancer awareness ribbon and a quote from former North Carolina State University basketball head coach and cancer victim Jim Valvano, “Don’t give up…Don’t ever give up!” The T-shirts sold for $10 and cash donations were also accepted.
Sinclair Athletic Director Jack Giambrone said 100 percent of the proceeds from the t-shirt sales will be donated to the Pink Ribbon Girls, a local 501 charity which aims to “provide personalized support to young women throughout all phases of the breast cancer journey through education, outreach, awareness and one-on-one support to women and their families,” according to the website’s mission statement. Giambrone said about $100 was raised from T-shirt sales and cash donations.
Giambrone noted that the Supergirl logo in particular was symbolic of many different aspects involved in Wednesday night’s game.
“It’s indicative of a lot of things,” Giambrone said. “Strength, perseverance, “s” stands for Sinclair and the Supergirl logo is there for strength. Just as a reminder to keep on fighting every day, one day at a time, the best you can.”
The Tartan Pride have now won five games in a row and 20 of the last 21 games overall. Despite equaling the second longest winning streak of the season and improving Sinclair’s home record to 10-1, head coach K.C. Gan maintains that his team’s focus is mainly toward their next home opponent.
“On Oct. 24 we play the 12-year defending conference champions, Owens Community College,” Gan said. “[Our] mindset for that game is that I want to play good. I want to play good against them, so they are already set for that game.