Newtown High Spikers Continue Hot Streak

By Andy Hutchison

After dropping their first two matches, the Newtown High School girls’ volleyball team has been unbeatable — reeling off six straight wins heading into Wednesday’s scheduled visit to Lauralton Hall of Milford (after The Bee sports section went to press).

The Newtown spikers, this past week, knocked off Bethel and Weston each by 3-1 scores. The Nighthawks improved to 6-2 overall and remained perfect in South-West Conference play at 4-0.

The Nighthawks hosted both matches at their home away from home — Reed School — while construction continues at the high school. The Hawks topped Bethel on September 29 and maintained their winning ways against Weston on October 4. In the Weston match, Newtown overcame a 25-22 game one loss to knock off the visiting Trojans 25-15, 25-9, and 25-23. The Nighthawks appeared poised for an easy win in the fourth game, building a 7-0 lead before Weston came roaring back for a 20-19 edge. The hosts, however, prevailed as Jess Lynch spiked the ball for a kill and a 24-23 lead, and an errant Trojan return sailed out of bounds to end things.

Lynch, the team’s setter, compiled 33 assists and added ten digs. Abbey Doski, who has emerged as a strong server, tallied 14 service aces. Doski also contributed 28 digs and ten kills. Carly Iwanicki had 14 kills and six digs for Newtown.

“We’re doing a lot of things better that we weren’t doing in the beginning of the year, but we’ve also found some holes to plug,” Newtown Coach Tom Czaplinski said.

The coach added that he is pleased with the chemistry on the floor but would like to see improvement in the passing game. Czaplinski also said that he is happy with his team’s effort.

“Mentally, they’re starting to get that never-say-die attitude,” he said.

The Nighthawks were slated to host Pomperaug of Southbury on Thursday, will visit Notre Dame-Fairfield on October 13, and return to Reed School to host Brookfield at 7 pm on October 15.