Volleyball Team Beats Rebels In First Round
This article has been updated on October 28 to reflect the announced time and opponent for the semifinal round match.
The top-seeded Newtown High School's girls' volleyball team posted a 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-15) win over visiting and eighth-seeded New Fairfield in the South-West Conference tournament quarterfinals, on October 27.
Kaitlyn Schneider had five aces, six kills, and 11 digs; Molly McCoy had two kills and compiled 31 assists; Zoe Beals registered 11 kills and five digs; Erin Mitchell had six kills; and Tessa Leon-Gambetta logged three aces and four digs.
The visiting Rebels were within 12-9 in game three before the Nighthawks opened up some breathing room. An errant Rebel hit, followed by Leon-Gambetta's service point and subsequent ace, made it 15-9 and the Rebels got no closer.
Newtown didn't play its best match of the year but overcame some errant hits to move on to the semifinal round.
"Our talent made up for our lack of intensity," said Newtown Coach Tom Czaplinski, adding that the Nighthawks will have to be more focused to have success in the next round. "When you get to the conference tournament it's anybody's game," Czaplinski said.
The Nighthawks will take on No. 4 Pomperaug in the semifinals, at Masuk High in Monroe; the match will take place on Wednesday, November 2, beginning at 7 pm.