It doesn’t seem to matter who Newtown High School’s volleyball team plays. The Nighthawks improved to 9-0 overall, posting their sixth and seventh 3-0 triumphs with wins over FCIAC teams, host Danbury on April 17 and visiting Trumbull the next day.

In the win over Trumbull, Newtown won by scores of 25-18, 25-17, and 25-13.

“They’re usually a strong team, and they have some good hitters. They have big blockers. I just think we came out a little bit stronger and wanted it a little bit more,” Newtown Coach Sandy Doski said.

Robbie Morrill compiled 15 kills, five digs, and seven service points for Newtown. Robert DiSibio had eight kills and four blocks. Eric Moore had 13 assists, nine digs, and eight service points. Ardi Kodzodziku logged seven digs, seven kills, and seven service points. Max Wrage tallied four digs and six service points to go along with 14 assists.

Trumbull hung close and was within three points at 17-14 in game two before Newtown finished on an 8-3 run capped by a Morrill kill. DiSibio’s block for a point helped keep the momentum on Newtown’s side.

In game three, the Eagles were within four at 11-7 before a 10-0 Nighthawk run allowed the hosts to seize control. Keenan Murphy had one of his two aces (he finished with ten service points), and Morrill’s hard hits helped Newtown build up its lead.

When all was said and done, the Nighthawks had recorded ten blocks.

“Blocking has really come a long way. That just defeats the opponent because then they have to think of something else to go around blocks,” Doski said.

A key part of Newtown’s success also comes from its depth at the setter position. Wrage and Moore are both strong threats to set up Newtown’s hitters.

“It makes it easier for our hitters. If one’s struggling, the other can pick him up,” Doski said.

What’s more, “they both block well for us,” the coach added.

Against Danbury, Newtown won by scores of 25-11, 34-32, and 25-16.

Kodzodziku compiled 19 kills and 12 digs. Morrill had a dozen kills and 11 digs. Schreiber logged eight kills and had five of Newtown’s eight blocks. Wrage had 11 digs and three of Newtown’s seven aces, along with 26 assists. Moore accumulated 21 assists.

Doski would like to see the team improve its passing game, and for the Hawks to get stronger mentally.

“We’re going to come up against stronger teams in states, and we need to be able to play with them, to shake off mistakes. We’re still holding on too long,” Doski said. “The ball’s going to be coming back to you. You can’t let little things bog you down. It’s a game of momentum. If you can shake it off and move onto the next point, you’re going to have a better winning percentage.”

Newtown High School's boys' volleyball fundraiser, Volleypalooza, will be on Tuesday, May 7 at 6 pm in the high school's new cafeteria. The event is open to the public and there will be live music, a pasta dinner and raffles and silent auctions. The big silent auction item is a trip to Zulu Nyala in South Africa. The starting price of the auction is 2,500 for two people for 6 days of lodging, all food, and two safaris per day. (The volleyball team will receive half of the money raised, enabling assistant coaches to be paid).