Newtown High School's boys' volleyball team defeated visiting Joel Barlow of Redding 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 29-27), in the second match between the teams this season. Entering the match, Newtown was undefeated and Joel Barlow’s only loss came from the Nighthawks.

Barlow’s attempt to avenge its previous loss fell short, as Newtown played to its strengths throughout all three sets.

“Barlow is a great team, and they pushed us to the limits, but we played the metal game and stuck with it,” Coach Sandy Doski said.

Both teams began strongly, trading points before Newtown pulled ahead 8-5, causing Barlow to call a timeout. The Nighthawks seemed unfazed, though, as they pieced together a six point lead, the score becoming 20-14. Following this run, Barlow made a run of its own, promoting Newtown to call a timeout, leading only 21-19.

“Our determination played a factor... and we focused in,” Doski said.

That seemed to be the case, as Newtown exited the timeout and 3-0 run and finished by scoring four of the last six points to win the set, 25-21. And the Nighthawks carried their momentum from the first set into the second, too, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. Their strong play continued, not allowing Joel Barlow to get within seven points, and closing out the set, 25-17.

Up two sets to none, Newtown looked to close out the match in the third set. However, Barlow held its own, keeping the game tied at 6-6 before Newtown eventually took at two-point lead at 11-9 lead. A block from captain Ardi Kodzodziku helped the lead go to 15-12.

The Nighthawks continued to build their lead, getting ahead by as many as four points, but Barlow tied it, leading to a Newtown timeout with a score of 20-20. Out of the timeout, mayhem began. Newtown had its first multi-point deficit, trailing 22-20, but quickly tied it up and took a two point lead of its own. Just one point away from a three-set sweep, Newtown struggled to close out, as Barlow tied the game at 24. The back and forth scoring ensued before Newtown finally closed out the set with a 29-27 win.

This hard-fought match was highlighted with impressive offensive nights from Kodzodziku and co-captain Robbie Morrill; Kodzodziku had 14 kills and Morrill had 11. Kodzodziku had seven digs and James Belden had five digs. Eric Moore had six kills, 14 assists, and eight digs. Morrill added two aces, 11 service points, eight digs, and two blocks. Zach Marks had five kills and two blocks. Max Wrage had 17 assists, ten digs, and six service points.

“We're still are focusing on winning out with an unbeaten record, and this was a tough test for us. They have good hitters, but it didn’t rattle us today,” Doski said.

The Nighthawks beat host Oxford 3-0 (31-29, 25-12, 25-12) on May 13. Moore had 33 assists, eight digs, four aces, 17 service points, four kills, and block. Kodzodziku had 15 kills and 13 digs. Robert DiSibio had nine kills and three blocks. Wrage had ten service points, nine kills, and five digs.

Newtown (17-0) looks to continue its undefeated streak for the remainder of the season, and make a run in SWC and state-wide play. The team hosts Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport Friday, May 17 at 6 pm and hosts Lewis Mills of Burlington on Tuesday, May 21, at 5:30 pm.