Spikers Aim To Repeat Regular Season Of 2007 And Advance Deeper Into Postseason

By Andy Hutchison

It is going to be impossible for the Newtown High School girls’ volleyball team to do any better than last year’s squad did in regular season play (at least from a win-loss standpoint; Newtown was undefeated a year ago). But if the Nighthawks do not even match last year’s regular season success that would be just fine with the team members — if they save some of those wins for postseason play.

The Nighthawks won their first 20 games, including a pair of conference tournament tilts, but finished 20-2 after falling in the South-West Conference Championship and in the second round of the Class LL state tournament last year. Newtown earned the Class LL’s top seed after an 18-0 campaign and had a first round tourney bye, only to lose to No. 16 Norwich Free Academy in the second round. It was a disappointing, if not shocking, end to an otherwise successful campaign.

The good news is that it is a new year and a fresh start for the Nighthawks who seek to redeem themselves. The not so good news: Newtown graduated five players — all starters — including a pair of All-State honorees.

“It’s very significant,” Head Coach Tom Czaplinski said of the number of graduates. “I think what’s going to hurt us the most, in the beginning at least, is we lost our two middle hitters and our setter,” the coach said.

Even so, there is a sense of optimism among the NHS spikers.

“Despite losing five seniors we still have experience back,” Czaplinski said. “The experience is there, the aggressiveness is there — we lack a little height.”

The Hawks are hoping what they lack in height they make up for in other areas. Chemistry is something the team members possess, according to captain Jordyn Good.

“I’m definitely looking forward to a really fun season. We have a great group of girls — we’re all very close.”

Czaplinski, a 10-year head coach, said the goal remains the same as does every year. “We always look to build upon the previous season,” he said.

The senior captains, Good and Jocelyn Pasko, will spearhead the Nighthawks’ efforts this fall. Good and junior Megan Casey were both first team All-Conference players a year ago. Good is an outside hitter, Casey will play a key role as the team’s setter and Pasko is a right side hitter.

“I’m pretty excited to play with all of my teammates again and we’re going to go far,” Pasko said with hopeful and confident anticipation.

Joel Barlow, the team that beat Newtown in the SWC final and gave the Hawks their first loss a year ago, will be their first opponent this season when it gets underway Monday (at The Hawks Nest at 6:30 pm). NHS plays Barlow and Bunnell alternately twice each in its first four matches of the season — giving the SWC foes a strong sense of familiarity with each other from the get-go. Barlow is always a formidable opponent but, the Newtown coach said, graduated several key players from a year ago. Czaplinski said Pomperaug and Masuk look like two of the tougher teams on the schedule. The Nighthawks visit Masuk in their fifth match of the season (September 24) and host Pomperaug on October 10.