GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
A look at some of the top performances in volleyball for the start of the fall season, and a peek ahead at some games to watch during the next week.
TOP PERFORMERS
Lauren Bender, Bristol Eastern: The junior had 14 kills and nine digs to help the Lancers overcome East Catholic 3-1 on Sept. 10.
Maggie Carley, Trumbull: Carley racked up 36 assists, nine aces, 12 digs, and five kills when the Eagles defeated Southington 3-1 on Sept. 10.
Maile Estacion, Hamden: The junior hitter had 12 aces and 17 digs during a 3-0 win over Wilbur Cross on Sept. 15. She added six kills, 17 digs and four aces in a 3-1 win against Law on Sept. 20.
Avery Fitzgerald, Jonathan Law: Fitzgerald had a team-high 16 kills during a 3-0 shutout of Daniel Hand on Sept. 15.
Marzia Johnson, Branford: The senior tri-captain collected 40 digs and five kills in the Hornets’ five-set win against Shelton on Sept. 20. Johnson also had 28 digs in a 3-2 win over North Branford on Sept. 13.
Halle Krause, Guilford: The Grizzlies’ setter had 22 assists and served up seven aces during a 3-0 victory against Foran on Sept. 20.
Madison Lodovico, Bristol Central: Lodavico, a junior, racked up 41 kills and 24 digs in the Rams’ first four matches. That included a 15-kill, 9-dig performance in a 3-1 win over Avon on Sept. 13.
Bailey McDermott, Amity: The senior had 97 assists and 27 digs as the Spartans won their first four matches. She collected 33 of those assists in a 3-1 victory over Guilford on Sept. 15.
Ellie Moore, Darien:
The sophomore setter had a big match in a 3-0 win over Woodstock Academy on Sept. 10, collecting 10 aces, 17 assists and five digs. She also had 14 kills in a season-opening shutout of Brookfield.
Olivia Orris, Stratford: Orvis served up 13 aces as Stratford defeated Platt
Tech on Sept. 21.
Julia Papelo, Amity:
Papelo, a senior, had 36 kills in two matches last week, including 14 in a 3-1 win over Guilford, and 22 in a 3-0 shutout of Mercy.
Erin Reichman, Brien McMahon: The junior had 30 assists and nine aces in the Senators' 3-0 shutout over Shelton on Sept. 10.
Adele Sotgiu, Greenwich: The senior hitter collected 16 kills as the Cardinals won an FCIAC showdown with Trumbull 3-0 on Sept. 16.
Abby Speckhals, Old Lyme: The senior setter had 14 assists, 17 digs, three kills, 2 aces and a block during a 3-1 loss to Hale Ray on Sept. 20. In five matches, Speckhals has 96 assists and 60 digs. Old Lyme is 2-3.
Lily Stevens, New Canaan: The sophomore outside hitter collected 38 kills, 15 digs and a pair of aces as the Rams’ rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat Joel Barlow 3-2 on Friday. She also had 22 kills, 12 digs and four aces in a 3-0 win at Masuk on Sept. 14.
Kiera Stewart, Bacon Academy: Stewart, a sophomore setter, dished out 28 assists in a four-set victory against Norwich Free Academy.
Ava Tuccio, St. Joseph:
Tuccio, a senior co-captain, had 17 kills and seven blocks in a 3-2 victory over Newtown on Sept. 9.
GAMES TO WATCH
Trumbull at Avon, Fri., Sept. 24, 5:30: A battle of
perennial contenders from the FCIAC and CCC. Trumbull, which won a Class LL title in 2019, has won two of its first three matches, while Avon is 2-4.
Cheshire at Guilford, Mon., Sept. 27, 5:30: Cheshire won the SCC’s Div. B, while Guilford won Div. C during last year’s abbreviated season. Each team graduated key players, but both remain contenders.
Joel Barlow at Staples, Mon., Sept. 27, 5:30: An SWC-FCIAC showdown featuring eight-time SWC champ Barlow and FCIAC playoff contender Staples. Both teams are 1-2, and a win here will get someone on a winning track.
Shelton at Amity, Mon., Sept. 27, 5:30: Amity has looked great to begin the season, winning all five of its matches, including three via shutouts. Shelton has started 1-5 and faces a challenge in this one, but a win could help turn the tide.
Ridgefield at Staples, Tues., Sept. 28, 4: The official FCIAC schedule opens next week, and Ridgefield and Staples will get an early test. They met three times last year, with Staples winning twice, including in the FCIAC Central Regional final.
East Lyme at Fitch, Wednesday 5:30 p.m.: A clash between two ECC Div. I contenders. East Lyme is 5-1, and Fitch is unbeaten at 5-0.