By Kim J. Harmon

With their South-West Conference and CIAC Class L state tournament hopes drifting quietly away on the heels of losses to Foran and Lauralton Hall last week, the Nighthawks finished up their 2000 schedule with a 3-0 win over Pomperaug on Monday.

So, with regards to conference and state tournament considerations, the match against the Panthers was technically meaningless. A win would do nothing towards getting the ‘Hawks any more games this season.

But on a more emotional note, it was Senior Night and the ‘Hawks bid a somewhat tearful goodbye to their five seniors – Chrissy DeWeese, Amanda Marsilio, Erin Masterson, Ashleigh Smarrella, and Kate Woessner.

For DeWeese, it was her third game back after suffering an elbow injury a few weeks ago that was thought, at the time, to have sidelined her for the rest of the season. But last week she stepped out on the court for Foran and Lauralton Hall and then suited up for the season finale.

And when the emotion of those pre-match festivities wore off, the ‘Hawks got down to business to beat the Panthers 15-8, 15-7, 15-9 to put their final SWC record at 6-9, 6-10 overall – just the tiniest step back from 1999.

In the win, Marsilio had 10 kills and four blocks. Ally Gellert chipped in with six aces and five digs.

Last week, the ‘Hawks dropped a tough 3-2 decision to Lauralton Hall at Platt Tech by a 12-15, 15-9, 15-10, 9-15, 15-11 count. In that game, Marsilio had 16 kills, five blocks, and 30 digs in the match while Gellert had 10 kills and 20 digs. And for good measure, Caitlyn Elf tossed in five kills and 13 digs.