Continued Excellence for Newington Volleyball

(Evan Metzger has thrived as Newington's setter)

Every couple of season the names on the roster change, but the production remains the same for the Newington boys’ volleyball program.

The one constant is head coach Curt Burns, who again has his team in position for a potential title run this spring.

Last Monday, Burns and his boys completed a series sweep of conference foe Maloney, winning in straight-sets (25-13, 25-14, 25-10) at Newington High School.

“I thought it was a great performance from us today. We’ve had some good practices, including a good Saturday morning workout. We have a goal of getting another CCC title” Burns said as he pointed up to the multiple conference banners hanging inside Richard Rogalski Gymnasium, “This was the start of round two of the CCC-South so this was a good first match to start the second cycle. I thought everyone on the team played well today. Very efficient, very clean, very few errors and we had some really good ball contact.”

It was the Indians fourth straight victory, improving their record to 10-5.

“We knew that Maloney came in with a 5-5 record and they were missing their top setter so I was a little worried that we might not play to our level, but our guys showed that they were just going to play our game,” added Burns, “I thought that was a really good sign for us. Sometimes we have the tendency to play to the level of the teams that we are playing. We really took it to them today and that was a good sign.”

Newington also defeated the Maloney in three sets on April 25 in Meriden and again swept the rematch, but the shorthanded Spartans left in all on the court Monday night. The road team went toe-to-toe with the Indians in the early part of both of the first two sets.

Trailing 8-7 in the second set, Newington’s senior captain Zach Harmon sparked a string of six straight points with back-to-back kills, an ace, and a great effort play, digging the ball out from the back row to save another point.

“He’s a big, physical guy and he’s great in the front row with his hitting, but when he can add the back row defense with his size that’s a real bonus. He’s strong enough and big enough to hit back row and he adds defense and can make good contact. He’s also an excellent passer and receiver,” Burns said of Harmon, “All those things he does really make a difference for us. When he’s out there, he really helps our team.”

Harmon is second on the team in kills this season, behind team-leader Andres Ithier-Vicenty, and finished tied with Co-Captain Vihn Dau for game-high eight kills in the win over Maloney.

“I think we’re definitely getting use to each other,” said Harmon, who added that he likes to leads by example on the court, “I not a giant vocal guy, but I think what I do on the court helps the team a lot. I like to get people hyped up and when they’re down I like to pick them up. It feels good to be in a leading role and rally the team when we need it.”

Harmon added that it took some time for the team to adjust to the departure of the players from last season’s semifinal team, which included all-conference selections Dante Phillip and Blake Mamaclay.

Harmon, who was also all-conference last spring, has filled Phillip’s role and junior Evan Metzger has assumed the setter’s role, which was vacated by Mamaclay.

“Coach gave me the great experience of letting me play swing last season. It was just something simple that got me involved and got my confidence up. It gave me chemistry with the players that are still here and now I’m on the court and I know these guys and love these guys. Knowing that they got my back and I’ve got theirs gives me confidence,” said Metzger, who is following a dominant group of setters at the school.
Mamaclay in 2015, Riley McManus in 2014, and Peter Feeney in 2012 each won state titles as set up men with the program.

“I learned a lot from Blake last year and my brother {Josh} graduated the year that I came in, so I watched him. Riley McManus was the setter then, so learned from him too,” added Metzger, who dished out 31 assist in Monday’s victory, “I strive and want to be as good as the guys before me. I want to play and perform at that level.”

His coach sees a lot of the same traits in him as his previous setters.

“He’s growing into the position. He has a passion for the game and he works on his game,” stated Burns, “He’s got a passion and desire to get better and he’s showing that with every match this year and today was a good example of how far he has come. I thought today he had a really nice, efficient game.”

It took time for this group to jell and the upperclassmen carried the team through a shaky start, which included four losses in their first eight game. Through the early struggles a group of sophomore also emerged as the next generation of elite volleyballers at Newington.

One of those sophomores is Teddy Fravel, who is seeing more time on the court and took advantage of his time against Maloney, blocking two shots and adding a kill.

“Teddy is a big, physical presence. When he tried out this year we were really happy because he’s tall but he’s also very strong and his reach is really high. He’s got an 11-foot touch, which is three feet above the net,” said Burns, “We’re developing him and we’ve got him for two more years after this year, so he’s been a nice find for us.”

Fellow sophomore Leonel Caceres and Collin Liedke have also received valuable playing time this spring. Caceres is third on the team in kills, including a half-dozen Monday night. Liedke has been getting playing time at libero, spelling senior Kevin Bilbraut, who is the team’s starter and averaging nearly four digs per set.

Following the win over Maloney, the Indians polished off a perfect week with two more three-set triumphs over Glastonbury and Wethersfield, upping their season total to a dozen wins.

The regular season success is great, but the real quest for a fourth state title under Burns begins later this month when the conference and Class M tourneys start.  

Burns would like to see the team play with some more consistency and his floor leaders believe that energy will be the key in the postseason.

“I think we need to work on our energy. Our team can get fired up and then it can just drop,” said Harmon, “We need to keep it at that steady height so that we can push through those hard times.”

“We’re definitely a high-energy team and I feel we play the best when we’re really energized. We can’t get down when things are going bad,” added Metzger, “I think if we keep our heads up we can go far.”

Before the conference and state tournaments start, the team has some unfished regular season business to attend to, closing with a home game against rival Cheshire on Mon, May 22. The season-finale match starts at 6:30.

Diamond Notes

Newington Baseball Peaking
It’s been a series of streaks this season for Newington baseball. The Indians won four straight to start the season, then hit a rough patch before winning four more in a row. The latest four-game win streak included a 7-2 victory over Wethersfield, an 18-3 conquest over Rocky Hill, and a thrilling 3-2 home win over Conard. Jordan Blanchette pitched a pair of gems in the victories over Wethersfield and Conard. Cooper Johnson, Jay Verenaeu, and Nick Gallicchio all went yard in the win over Rocky Hill.

Surge Continues for Panthers Baseball
Entering the week Cromwell has won 12 of their last 15 games, including an impressive 3-1 victory over rival Morgan last Wednesday. The Clinton-based Huskies knocked Cromwell out of the tournament in the semifinals round a season ago and defeated them in the season-opener, but the Panthers avenged the losses thanks to Noah Budzik’s six-hit, one run complete game. Sean Melaven went 2-3 and scored a run, and Austin Roy drove in two more to secure the victory.  

Middletown Edges Rocky Hill in Extras
The Blue Dragons baseball team picked up their first victory of the season, defeating Rocky Hill 6-5 in the ninth inning on a walk off RBI-single from Jake Radz. The win sparked a spurt for Middletown, who won two of their next three following the win. The Terriers enter the week winless, but have a chance to finish the season strong with four straight home games, including a rematch with the Blue Dragons on Fri, May 19 at 3:45 p.m.

Wild Finishes for Terriers Softball
Rocky Hill softball has had an up-and-down season, but the team has produced many memorable moments, including a 16-15 victory over Berlin in a game they trailed 12-1. Rachel Roncaioli had the game-winning hit to cap the largest comeback in the program’s history. Erin Kelly duplicated that feat a few games later, connecting on a game-clinching knock in the Terrier’s 5-4 extra innings victory over Platt. 

(Jordan Blanchette has been lights out on the hill for the Indians)

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