Sports

Volleyball Squad Continues Winning Streak By Defeating Barlow

By Andy Hutchison

Published: Oct 29, 2026 7:00 am

Newtown High School's girls' volleyball team's winning streak reached nine with a 3-1 (25-22, 16-25, 25-12, 25-21) victory at Joel Barlow of Redding on October 27. The Nighthawks carry a record of 12-1 in South-West Conference play into Thursday's scheduled regular-season finale at home with one-win Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport at 5:30 pm.

Three teams — Newtown, Masuk of Monroe, and Weston — all have just one SWC defeat and Barlow now has two as the teams battle for the top seeds in the upcoming conference playoffs, set to begin in early November.

In the win over Barlow, Jordan Kemp had a dozen kills, Rylan Kennedy had 11 kills, Emma Kozek logged seven kills, Darla Paul had six, and Mia Sullivan five. Taylor Leighton compiled 25 assists. Newtown had 14 service aces, led by five apiece from Kemp and Leighton. Leah Botta had four digs and Kennedy and Leighton each had three digs. Paul had two of Newtown's five solo blocks; Kemp, Sullivan, and Kennedy each had a block.

The Nighthawks beat host Harding of Bridgeport 3-0 (25-8, 25-14, 25-18) on October 22. Sullivan had five kills and Sophia Galassi racked up ten of Newtown's 23 service aces.

Newtown defeated visiting Bunnell of Stratford 3-0 (25-10, 25-9, 25-17) on October 24. Kemp logged six kills and Kennedy had four kills. Newtown had 16 aces led by five apiece from Kennedy and Leighton, who had nine assists; Aaliyah Erat had four assists.

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

Rylan Kennedy serves the ball into play during a match this fall. Kennedy and the Nighthawks have been on a roll. —Bee Photo, Hutchison

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Volleyball Squad Continues Winning Streak By Defeating Barlow

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