BETHEL — There was only one team in the South-West Conference that Newtown High School’s girls’ volleyball squad could not overcome this fall. In the November 6 conference tournament championship match, the Nighthawks came oh so close to topping unbeaten and top-seeded Weston. The second-seeded Hawks won the first and fourth games but fell to the Trojans 3-2 (26-28, 25-12, 26-24, 16-25, 15-12).

There were seven ties, the last coming at 11 apiece in a back and forth decisive set.

“That fifth set said it all. We had lead change after lead change; we had tie after tie. It was a great match — wrong side of it but great match to be a part of,” Newtown Coach Tom Czaplinski said.

After a wild win in the first game, Newtown saw Weston seize control early in the second game to even the match.

In game three, Newtown used a 6-0 run to seize a 7-4 lead but the Trojans responded with nine unanswered for a 13-7 advantage. The Hawks got to within two points four times, including at 23-21 on a Zosia Teraszkiewicz ace, then tied things at 23 apiece. After Weston got it to game point, Keyera Smith’s smash off the top of the net dropped for a point to even the score at 24. Weston got the next two points to come out on top and push the Hawks into must-win mode.

The Hawks were in command from the start in game four. Strong serves and a string of late set points by Smith sparked Newtown. Amaro Beard-Galati had some timely kills across the grain to catch Weston’s usually cat-like defense on its heels. Lauren Young’s hit closed out the set and forced the fifth.

Newtown jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the last set. Weston got the next four and posted a 6-1 run for a two-point lead, prompting the Nighthawks to call timeout. NHS answered with three unanswered points for a 7-6 edge. A diving play by Ella Stubbs led to Smith’s score tying kill, and Teraszkiewicz followed with a go-ahead ace. Weston answered back with three consecutive points. Newtown didn’t back down. Delia Clouden had a pair of kills as Newtown capitalized on Young’s strong serves that forced Weston’s defense to fight just to get the ball back over the net. The teams went back and forth but the Trojans finished on a 4-1 run.

Smith had 12 kills and a dozen digs; Clouden logged 14 kills; Chloe O’Connell had two aces and 14 digs; Teraszkiewicz came up with five aces, eight kills, 16 assists, and four digs; Shannon Muckell compiled 27 assists to go along with a trio of digs; Young had three aces, three kills, and also a trio of digs;

Newtown was without standout Grace Miller for much of the season, including the title match, due to illness. Young and Bella Rio, who had two digs, did a nice job filling in, Czaplinski said.

Newtown’s coach would have liked to come out on top, of course, but is pleased with his team’s progress throughout the season.

“They got stronger and stronger; they got better and better,” Czaplinski said.

The season continues with the start of state tournament action on Monday, November 8, when the Hawks host Manchester in the first round at 6 pm.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebe.com.