Sports

Girls’ Volleyball Team Aims For SWC And State Playoff Success

By Andy Hutchison

Published: Aug 29, 2025 6:50 am

Traditionally one of the stronger teams in the South-West Conference — and coming off a five-set loss to Joel Barlow in last year’s pinnacle SWC match — Newtown High School’s girls’ volleyball team is again aiming to be in title contention.

The team’s goal is to make it back to the championship match and come away with the win, then improve on last year’s Class LL State Tournament showing; the Nighthawks reached the second round of states in 2024.

In conference play, Newtown has been runner-up to Barlow three straight seasons, and finished second four years in a row (behind Weston in 2021). The Hawks won the coronavirus-modified SWC North Tournament in 2020 and is looking for its first traditional SWC title since 2011.

Senior captains are middle hitter Allie Nowacki and setter Ava Lombardo. Other key returnees include opposite/ right side hitter and defensive specialist Elena Burdo and outside hitter and defensive specialist Addy Cordova — both seniors.

Coach Tom Czaplinski is hopeful his team’s strengths translate to success on the court.

“We have lots of experience coming back and good team chemistry,” Czaplinski said. “Team chemistry is such an important thing. To get everybody on the same page, to get everybody striving to do the same thing and pulling for each other will allow us to work toward achieving our goals.”

In addition to team camaraderie important attributes of winning teams are, of course, skill and work ethic. Newtown has plenty of talented players and the Nighthawks have put themselves in position to win.

“The girls put in a lot of work in the offseason as quite a few of them played club volleyball during the winter and are very excited to be working together again and completing our goals,” Czaplinski said.

In addition to facing SWC teams the Hawks will take on some challenging out-of-conference foes, including Woodstock Academy and FCIAC squads Greenwich, Darien, Fairfield Ludlowe, and Ridgefield. The season begins with four straight non-conference matches, staring with St Joseph of Trumbull’s visit on Tuesday, September 2 at 5:30 pm. The first SWC match is set for Monday, September 15 at New Fairfield, also at 5:30. A key match to circle on the schedule: Newtown visits Barlow Wednesday, September 24 at 5:30.

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

Girls’ volleyball captains are Ava Lombardo and Allie Nowacki. —Bee Photo, Hutchison

Allie Nowacki and the Nighthawks will try to get back to the SWC title match and come out on top this season. —Bee file photo

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First the low hanging fruit. Dave; it was a joke, please get over it. You are the only person in Newtown that thought I really wanted to build a stadium on 6 Commence Rd. Now on to Alex. You might not appreciate my writing style or my selection of words, but let's not loose sight of the fact that by responding to my letter in the manner that you did, you have removed any doubt whatsoever that you have no idea of the quantifiable benefits you are dismissing not only for the town, but also for protesters. Either you stopped listening at the word "ordinance" or you never started.. Your constitutional rights to assemble were never in question and would actually be strengthened and there would be literally no impediments. We could even title it "The Alex Villamil Ordinance" if you want. It could be your legacy and actually show Newtown your willingness to work in a bipartisan way for the betterment of the town. Businesses would be protected. Traffic wouldn't be interrupted. The town would save hundreds of thousands of dollars in police overtime. And maybe most importantly, the town could prevent another tragedy while mitigating legal risk in the event something terrible happens at a protest. Nothing bad could never happen in Newtown right? All that could be accomplished by a simple, non-intrusive ordinance unless all the detriments to our town are intentional in order to bring more attention to your cause. Alex, this was not me throwing a temper tantrum. Believe me, you will know it if that happens. I am just putting Newtown first. From that perspective, if you think critically, the regulation is necessary. It makes sense logically, rationally, and is reasonable. There is absolutely no down side. None. I would be willing to sit down with you to see if we could come to some type of compromise if you want. Let me know. You would be amazed how much you can accomplish when there is dialogue amongst neighbors.

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Girls’ Volleyball Team Aims For SWC And State Playoff Success

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