Newtown High School’s girls volleyball team has had moments of stellar play — even in losses. A prime example is a first-set defeat at reigning (three years running) South-West Conference Champion Joel Barlow of Redding, a match the Nighthawks ultimately dropped in three sets, on September 24.

And then there are some examples of the team not playing to its full potential, even in victories, including a 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 28-26) win over visiting New Milford on September 29.

“I think we’re on a roller coaster right now,” Newtown Coach Tom Czaplinski said after the win over New Milford. “We’re getting the good, the bad, and the ugly all in the same match. We’re struggling to find consistency.”

The good news is that the Nighthawks have gotten the job done in four of six matches against conference foes, and one of those losses was a five-setter to Brookfield, but Czaplinski knows the Hawks will have to improve their play from start to finish in matches against teams such as Barlow in order to make playoff runs in the conference, as well as the state when the time comes.

In that Barlow match, the Hawks lost 25-20, 25-7, 25-17. After overcoming a six-point deficit and nearly pulling off the win in the first set — Allie Nowacki’s ace tied things at 19 before Barlow finished on a 6-1 run — the Hawks mustered a dozen fewer points in the second set and Barlow closed things out quickly.

When all was said and done, Nowacki logged a trio of aces, nine kills, and two blocks; Cassie Pickering had five kills and two blocks; Ava Lombardo registered two blocks and 19 assists; and Leah Botta led NHS with six digs. Addy Cordova had four digs, Elena Burdo three digs, and Sophia Galassi added three kills.

Newtown won its next two matches by 3-0 scores. The Hawks defeated Immaculate of Danbury at home on September 26, winning by scores of 25-10, 25-12, and 25-20. A win is a win, but Czaplinski would like to see his team close out these victories in more convincing fashion.

Against Immaculate, the Hawks registered 15 aces led by Cordova’s four and Taylor Leighton’s three. Nowacki and Pickering both logged a baker’s dozen kills, Lombardo had 19 assists, and Emma Kozek recorded eight assists. Newtown needed only three digs in a mostly-easy triumph.

The New Milford match had a much different feel despite a fairly similar set by set outcome. Newtown compiled 27 digs in this one. Nowacki had two aces, 12 kills, and three blocks; Pickering tallied two aces, 11 kills, and three blocks; Jordan Kemp had five kills and a block; and Rylan Kennedy had four kills and a block. Leighton collected five digs, Lombardo and Botta each registered four, and Ava Ashla and Galassi both had thee digs; Galassi also had two blocks. Lombardo racked up 35 assists.

Newtown will host Notre Dame Prep of Fairfield on Friday, October 3 at 5:30 pm.

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