Young Nighthawk Spikers Set Lofty Goals

No experience, no problem is the credo of the Newtown girls volleyball team. Despite having no seniors on the squad, Newtown hopes to better its 22-4 record and finishes in the South-West Conference and Class LL tournaments.

The Nighthawks were eliminated by the eventual champion in both tournaments, losing to Joel Barlow in the SWC semifinals and Southington in the Class LL quarterfinals. They also lost two players to graduation, outside hitter Megan Casey, who was All-SWC and All-State and is playing for California University at Pennsylvania, a strong Division II program, and middle hitter Carolyn Sagan, who was Second Team All-SWC.

"We're looking to improve on last year's record," said Newtown Coach Tom Czaplinski. "Making it deeper in the conference and state tournaments is our goal."

Juniors Abby Doski and Emma Herring are the top two returning players for the Nighthawks and will lead them at libero and middle hitter, respectively. Doski was a First Team All-SWC selection and gobbled many balls that looked like they would drop for kills and the 5-10 Herring was a Second Team All-SWC selection and was selected to the SWC tournament team.

Quarterbacking the offense is junior setter Jess Lynch, who is deft in placing the ball perfectly for the hitters. In addition to Herring, Lynch will be setting up juniors Carly Iwanicki and Alyssa Finkenstad at outside hitter and right side hitter, respectively. Complementing Doski at libero is junior Riley Wurtz.

Four sophomores are also expected to contribute, starting with 5'10 middle hitter Amanda Rowan, who jumps well and is expected to complement Herring. Outside hitters Maddy Good, Sam Steimle and Lauren Frazetta will also help on offense and will be counted on by Lynch to pound home kills.

"We have to learn how to pass the ball better," Cazplinski said. "The girls we have, have experience, so I'm not concerned about not having seniors in the lineup. They have to grow up quickly and become leaders."

The junior class is ready to lead and feels it's up to the challenge.

"We are definitely going to have a strong team this year," Doski said. "We are young and inexperienced but have a lot of talent. If we can harness and control it, there's no reason why we can't go far this year."

Herring said, "It will give us a chance to grow up and take responsibility. It's a matter of supporting each other and cheering each other on, whether we do good or make mistakes."

Some observers may feel that a senior-less team is playing with house money because of the lack of expectations. But don't tell this to the Nighthawks because they said they believe they should set the bar high.

Others believe Newtown could set itself up for a run to two titles next year because it loses no one to graduation. The Nighthawks said there's no reason to count them out this fall.

"I think we all want a banner in the new gym," said Herring. "We hope to win SWCs and States."

Doski said, "We feel we're capable of winning SWCs and going far in the state even though we lost some girls. We're improved and working hard and we want to prove we can do well even without seniors. We expect a lot from the team this year as well as next year. We hope to have a couple of banners before we leave the high school, that's what we're shooting for."