Panthers Volleyball Building Brick by Brick

Cromwell volleyball senior Anahya Demers gets ready to receive a serve as freshman libero Emily Franco looks on during the Panthers loss at East Hampton on Sept. 21.   

Cromwell High School girls’ volleyball lost East Hampton in three sets (25-21, 25-10, 25-10) on Sept 21 at East Hampton High School, dropping the team to 0-6 this fall.
           
All six losses have come in straight sets, yet the young Panthers have shown fight in each contest.
           
“They are doing a great job and working as hard as they can. With a young team this is what happens,” said head coach Tracie Capodice, who has three freshmen starting. 
           
Captaining the team are seniors Brynn Kovacs and Dasani Storey. The captains are two of only three seniors on the team, joining Anahya Demers.
           
“They are great captains; they are always helpful to everyone,” said Capodice. “When I’m not around they are teaching everyone and letting everyone know what I expect from them.”
           
Kovacs was an outside hitter a season ago, finishing second on the team in kills, and has switched to setter this year to fill a team need. 
           
Capodice praised Kovacs for her flexibility, saying, “She has stepped up to set this year and she is doing a phenomenal job.”
           
In the loss to East Hampton, the Panthers went toe-to-toe with Shoreline Conference rivals, jumping out of the gate quickly. 
           
Three aces from Dasani and a kill from Demers provided Cromwell a 6-2 lead in the first set.
           
Freshman Elise Zerio provided a boost in the third set with an ace and a kill. 
           
Zerio is one of three freshmen that started against East Hampton, joining libero Emily Franco and Piper Kovacs.
           
Capodice said the team is still working on consistency, but likes the team’s chemistry on and off the court.
           
“These girls work so well together,” stated Capodice. “We are obviously a young team, but the seniors are so welcoming and are excellent with the freshmen.” 
           
The Panthers closed last week with a loss to undefeated Hale Ray, falling to 0-7. 
           
They return home for a pair of games, including a match against Coginchaug at CHS on Monday, Oct. 3, starting at 6:00 p.m.
           
Capodice said the team is getting better with each passing match and now they just have to work on winning points, sets, and hopefully some matches.  
           
“We’re having a hard time getting over that hump and finishing, but they are working together and trusting each other,” added Capodice. “I see improvement every day, which is what is important at this point.”