NHS Spikers Knocked Off In State Tournament

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s girls’ volleyball team, after clinching its first South-West Conference title since 2002, had its quest for a state championship end more quickly than anticipated — falling in hard-to-swallow fashion.

The No. 8 Nighthawks, after a bye in the first round of the tournament, faced No. 9 Cheshire in the second round, at Reed School on November 11, in the Class LL tourney’s second round and pulled out the win 3-2 (21-25, 24-26, 27-25, 25-21, 15-12).

Newtown had a two games to none lead and was at match point, seemingly with the win and a berth in the quarterfinal round in the bag, before Cheshire rallied for a dramatic comeback.

The Nighthawks led 24-18 in the third game but couldn’t close it out.

“We should have won the game — no doubts,” Newtown Coach Tom Czaplinski said.

Czaplinski said he was pleased with the play of setter Jess Lynch, who compiled 32 assists and added three service aces, along with Emma Herring who registered seven kills, six aces, four digs and three blocks.

The loss ended an otherwise memorable campaign in which the Hawks, comprising only freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, earned the SWC tourney’s top seed en route to clinching the title with a 3-0 win over Bunnell of Stratford.

“I thought we had a real shot at a state championship too,” Czaplinski said.

Cheshire went on to defeat top-seeded Southington to advance to the semifinals. Newtown will have to wait until 2011 to try to capture a state crown.