From left, Jason Gallo, Alexander Lin, Cole Urso, Tyler Godlewski, Tristen Banks, Dylan O’ Hagan and Michael Murray.
Wethersfield Eagles Volleyball Taking Flight
WETHERSFIELD - It wasn’t quite David versus Goliath, but Senior Night in Wethersfield was a colossal measuring stick for the boys’ volleyball team.

       The school and the local faithful celebrated their seniors before facing powerhouse Newington in a late-season tilt last Tuesday night. The hometown Eagles came out on the wrong end of a straight-sets loss, but showed a lot of fight and determination, which has become a staple of the school’s volleyball programs since Debbie O’Brien took over the head coaching duties for both the boys and girls.

       â€"We started out strong tonight. We played well early and had some good blocks,” O’Brien said following the game. â€"Newington is a great team they can do so many good things. They are very consistent and that is something we’ve worked on. Our goal this year has been to show consistency, because we have the skills, but we don’t always show it out there. We’ve also been trying to work on intensity, which started out great for us tonight.”

       Wethersfield entered the contest with only a pair of wins in 17 attempts and Newington had lost only two of their 18 contests. The underdogs were unable to steal a set from Newington’s well-oiled machine, but the scrappy squad scored double-digits in all three sets (25-17, 25-15, 25-16).

       The Eagles followed up the loss to Newington by splitting their final two games of the season. They defeated Public Safety in four sets in their home finale last Wednesday before falling to South Windsor on Thursday.

       The loss to South Windsor was the final game for seven seniors that suited up for the Eagles this season. Tristen Banks and Tyler Godlewski were the team’s captains and made big impacts on the court. Banks played primarily on the right side, but covered all areas of the court with his tremendous hustle. Godlewski was a dynamic outside hitter with a superb serve.

       The two captains combined with Jason Gallo, Cole Urso, Michael Murray, Alexander Lin, and Dylan O’Hagan---giving the Eagles a deep group of seniors.

       â€"This was a great group of guys that all got along and worked really hard. The improvements that they all have made since the beginning of the season are unbelievable,” the coach said about the seniors. â€"The team had a really good connection, but even our seniors were inexperienced.”

       The veteran coach praised their hard work and ability to grasp the sport quickly despite the lack of experience. She said Gallo, who thwarted a handful of Newington’s kill attempts with blocks, learned the game very quickly despite being a first-year player and starter.

       Although the baker’s half dozen were unable to generate a lot of wins, they did win two of their final four games and helped pave the way for the younger players that will be filling their vacancies next season.

       One of those players is Colin Stewart, who was named all-conference as a sophomore in 2013 and could get that recognition again after a solid junior season. The setter will be entering his senior season next spring and brings much needed experience on the court.

       â€"Colin was the only real returning starter this year and the only player with any varsity experience at all,” O’Brien added. â€"He has helped lead the team.”

       Stewart will again be joined by Jack Malizia, who is an emerging outside hitter and plays with a high amount of passion. The junior put his skills on display against Newington and shined during the third set with the visitors threatening to run away with the match, leading 19-10. Malizia had other plans and registered back-to-back points on a block and a kill, reenergizing the home crowd and pulling the team within striking distance. He finished the night with eight kills and five digs.

       Joseph Sottile will also be a heading into his senior year after earning the starting libro position as a junior. He kept rallies alive all evening with several digs against Newington’s strong front line.

       â€"The juniors coming back are a real talented group. They’re all friends, so that should help them to click,” said O’Brien. â€"The players coming in look good too. The JV team played good today (losing to Newington’s JV in a third set tiebreaker) and has played well all year. We have a good group of sophomores with a lot of skills. They should help on varsity next year.”

       O’Brien has become synonymous with volleyball in Wethersfield. She started as an assistant coach for the girl’s team in 1990 and became the head coach in 1994. She has continued in that role and just wrapped up her sixth season leading the boys.

       Her girl’s team will be attempting to make a third-straight tournament appearance next fall and, after a one-year hiatus, the promising boys are hoping to be tournament bound this time next year.

       â€"I think we’ll have a good group the next couple of years,” O’Brien said. â€"The future looks good.”
MORE WETHERSFIELD NEWS  |  STORY BY JOSH HOWARD  |  Jun 09 2015  |  COMMENTS?