Rocky Hill rally stuns Blue Dragons

MIDDLETOWN >> Rocky Hill girls volleyball coach Jackie Valliere was in a state of “shock” watching the Terriers rally from a 2417 deficit in the third set to sweep Middletown on Thursday night.

You could say Blue Dragons coach Kelvin Jones was also surprised.

“It’s the errors that always get you,” Jones said. “You can’t regroup. And it costs you.”

Rocky Hill spoiled Middletown’s Senior Night with a 2624, 25-20 and 26-24 Central Connecticut Conference South Division victory at LaBella-Sullivan Gymnasium.

Yup, the Blue Dragons were one point away from getting to a fourth set while also keeping alive their hopes for a CCC tournament berth.

“A win probably would have put is in,” Jones said. “Now it comes down to tiebreakers with three teams and just two spots open.”

This was the regular season finale for both teams and Rocky Hill, which improved to 11-8, 10-6

in the league, is hoping to get one of those CCC tourney bids.

Valliere has guided the Terriers into the CIAC tournament in her first season as head coach after four years with the junior varsity.

“We haven’t made it to the tournament for a couple of years so we’re very excited,” Valliere said.

Sophomore Julia O’Connor fueled Rocky Hill’s incredible comeback with some terrific hitting from the middle of the net. O’Connor finished with a match high 15 kills and also added two aces.

Senior setter Sam Brady dished out 24 assists, while junior outside hitter Grace Fisher contributed some key points for the Terriers, who also rallied from a 22-19 deficit in the first set.

“This is something we’ve been working on all year… team unity, collaboration and mental toughness,” Valliere said. “We were down almost every game tonight and we pushed through. Everyone did their part tonight, which is what we need.”

After winning just three games last season, the Blue Dragons secured their first CIAC state tournament berth in 14 years with a victory over Bulkeley last week.

“I knew that we would have a drastic improvement this season,” Jones said. “This group of senior girls has been with me since I started coaching. They work hard every day in practice and in the games.”

Jones was referring to seniors Jenna Dickes, Briana DiMartino, Kayla Pieta, Azsha Ray, Rachel Thompson, Lisa Tipton and Kelsey White.

White had nine kills and two digs, while Pieta collected 26 digs and six aces against Rocky Hill. Middletown finishes 8-9. “We came up short in a couple of games that went five sets this season,” Jones said. “We’re knocking on the doorstep of the CCC tournament and if we get in we’ll probably face Farmington. But we’ll be there. This team keeps fighting.”