By Kim J. Harmon

SOUTHBURY – With the 2001 season opening pitting them against New Fairfield and perennial state powerhouse Darien in the first week, the Newtown High School volleyball team needed something to pick itself up.

A trip to Southbury might have did just that.

A couple of days after dropping a 3-1 decision to New Fairfield, the Nighthawks pinned a 3-0 (15-10, 15-6, 15-11) sweep on Pomperaug. Ally Gellert and Shannon Kohn combined for nine kills in the effort.

The first game was a bit of a struggle at times for the ‘Hawks, who let the middle of Game 1 get away from them before rallying from a 9-7 deficit to win. Caitlin Elf secured the win with a strong service ace.

The ‘Hawks cruised through Game 2, though, scoring the first nine points before the Panthers finally got on the board. An Anne Schneider dink, a kill and great recovery block by Jaime Lindquist, and an ace by Elf were the key highlights in that run.

Pomperaug scored a couple of points, but Stephanie Logan had a nice block and Gellert recorded one of her five kills to keep Newtown ahead, 11-2. The Panthers did get as close as 12-6, though, because of a few Newtown mistakes but the ‘Hawks turned the tables and ran off three points in a row to earn another win.

Game 3 was a little bit closer, but Schneider had a couple of aces, Elf had an ace, and Logan recorded a kill that put the ‘Hawks ahead, 6-2. A string of bad passes allowed Pomperaug to get back into the game and tie things up, 6-6, but strong service – including an ace – put the ‘Hawks back on top, 11-5.

The ‘Hawks kept their distance the rest of the way thanks to an ace by Jacky Curran and a nice kill by Kohn that earned a sideout. The best play of Game 3 came right near the end, though, when Kristin Correa made a spectacular dig to keep a ball alive and allow the ‘Hawks to put the match away.

In the 3-1 (7-15, 15-13, 3-15, 11-15) loss to New Fairfield, Kate Anderheggen came up with 10 kills while Gellert and Logan combined for another 11. The Nighthawks – now 1-2, 1-1 in the South-West Conference – will travel to Bunnell on Friday and will host Joel Barlow on Monday, September 24, at 5:15 pm.