Sports

Volleyball Squad Blanks Wave In Three Sets To Begin Postseason

By Andy Hutchison

Published: Oct 21, 2025 10:15 pm

Newtown High School's girls' volleyball team, the No, 4 seed in the South-West Conference Tournament, defeated No. 5 and visiting New Milford 3-0 in the quarterfinals on October 21.

The Nighthawks defeated the Green Wave by set scores of 25-21, 25-12, 25-18. Newtown advances to the Thursday, October 23, semifinals.

Cassie Pickering led the way with 15 kills to go along with two aces, a pair of blocks, and a dig. Allie Nowacki logged seven kills, an ace, a block, and one dig. Jordan Kemp had five kills, a block, and two digs. Elena Burdo recorded three kills, two aces, and five digs. Addy Cordova had five digs. Ava Lombardo compiled 32 assists and registered an ace, and two blocks.

Emma Kozek (No. 10) and Cassie Pickering (No. 5) go up for a block against New Milford in the SWC tourney. In the background are Ava Lombardo, left, and Elena Burdo. —Bee Photo, Hutchison

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If Bruce Walczak wasn’t considered qualified enough to serve on the Board of Education the last time he ran, how does that suddenly make him fit to lead the entire town as First Selectman? Newtown deserves proven competence, not political recycling. We should expect more from our leaders than recycled campaigns and empty slogans about “listening.” The First Selectman’s job demands results, judgment, and the respect of those he hopes to lead — not another round of excuses. Do we really elect failure as a qualification now?

Reasons To Support Walczak

We don’t need more listeners — we need action. We need someone who will stand up for the town, not engage in a politically divisive, doublespeak campaign. We need honor in the position, not politics. Leadership isn’t about echoing what’s convenient or popular — it’s about facing hard questions and making tough decisions for the good of the whole community. Newtown deserves a leader who answers with conviction, not calculation. Our town needs accountability, not applause.

Walczak, A Leader Who Listens And Follows Through

Mr. Walczak’s reply is unfortunately emblematic of the political double-speak that frustrates so many residents. Rather than engaging on the substantive issues raised — namely, the balance between quality education and fiscal responsibility — he chose to deflect and assign partisan blame. It’s easy to grandstand about “supporting education.” It’s harder to make responsible decisions that keep Newtown affordable for everyone — families, seniors, and small businesses alike. That’s the work real public servants are doing, even when it’s not politically convenient.

Responds To Walczak

*Regardless, you should know that the Board of Education has the greatest influence on the education budgets that ultimately come before Board of Finance and LC.

Mr. Walczak, I read it multiple times before submitting my letter and again afterward. Nowhere in your letter do you mention Legislative Council. Regardless, you should know that the Board of Education has the greatest influence on budgets that ultimately come before Board of Finance and LC. In addition, I noted that you didn't respond to the more substantive issue highlighted in my letter -- school funding and impact on our residents. Your initial letter seemed to indicate that "Republicans" were misguided in challenging budget requests. Regardless of whether you were talking about LC or BOE, is it your position that 64.8% of every tax dollar is not enough to adequately fund our schools? Are you advocating to spend more money? It feels like your Letter to the Editor is at odds with your campaign pitch of affordability.

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Volleyball Squad Blanks Wave In Three Sets To Begin Postseason

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