Newtown High Volleyball Team Bumps Norwich Free Academy, Spikes Staples In State Tournament

By Andy Hutchison

Last season, the South-West Conference champion Newtown High School girls’ volleyball team was eliminated in its first state tournament match. This time around, the two-time conference champion Nighthawks made sure their Class LL state tourney experience would last at least a little longer.

The third-seeded Nighthawks, after a first round bye, blanked No. 19 Norwich Free Academy 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-16) in the second round, at home, on November 12; then won a closer-than-it-would-appear 3-0 decision over the No. 6 Staples Wreckers of Westport, also at NHS, in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Newtown’s clash with 16-2 Staples certainly could have gone either way as the Hawks pulled out wins of 25-22, 27-25, and 25-21 to advance to the semifinals. The Nighthawks were scheduled to face the team that bumped them from the state bracket a year ago — No. 2 Cheshire — in neutral site Milford on Thursday (after The Bee went to press). A spot in the Saturday, November 19, championship match at Waterbury’s Wilby High (7 pm) was on the line. Each of the top four LL teams — including No. 1 Darien and No. 4 Southington — reached the bracket’s final four.

Newtown, which rolled over almost all of the competition with ease this season en route to a 17-1 campaign, certainly got battle-tested by the Wreckers. The match featured 11 lead changes and 20 ties.

“They were a great team. The girls did terrific today,” Newtown Coach Tom Czaplinski said. “They pulled through. The girls have that mindset to win every game they play.”

Czaplinski said in order to keep winning, “We have to focus on what we need to do.” Against Staples, Newtown got it done behind strong defensive work to keep balls in play, and well-executed setups for kills.

In the quarterfinal round win, Emma Herring had 11 kills, Alyssa Finkenstadt came up with nine, and Riley Wurtz got up for seven point-getters. Setter Jess Lynch compiled 28 assists. Libero Abbey Doski raced, and at times dove, all over the floor for 21 digs, and Wurtz added seven digs. Newtown’s service game was on as well, as Cassie Ekstrom picked up five aces and Doski notched a trio of nonreturnable serves. Courtney Escoda and Sam Steimle also played key roles in the win.

The back and forth match featured a little extra play in the second game. Finkenstadt’s kill put Newtown up 24-23 and on the verge of going ahead 2-0, but Staples got the next two points to come to within one point away from evening things. A long Staples serve gave NHS a point, to again tie it, and possession. Herring’s kill made it 26-25 Newtown, and an errant Staples hit finished off game two.

In game three, the Wreckers led 14-13 before the Hawks reeled off six unanswered for a five-point cushion. The Hawks went on their mini-run with a variety of sources and types of plays. A Doski ace made it 15-14 NHS. After an errant Staples hit went out of play for a point, Finkenstadt’s block at the net made it 17-14, and a Wurtz kill extended the lead to 18-14. Doski’s service point made it 19-14, prompting a Staples timeout.

The Wreckers pulled to within 19-17 before NHS reclaimed its breathing room and sealed the win. Back-to-back Herring blocks for points gave the Hawks a 21-17 advantage. After the Wreckers got a point back, Herring again elevated to block a Staples hit and give Newtown a 22-18 lead. Ekstrom’s service point made it 23-18. Following consecutive Staples points, Wurtz had two straight kills to finish the Wreckers.

“There was no letting up on their part. They played a great game and really pushed us to stay consistent throughout the whole match,” Doski said.

Newtown entered into the semifinals hoping their consistent play would continue. For coverage, check on The Bee’s sports webpage and in the November 25 print edition of The Bee.