Take a look near the top of the overall CCC standings and the Class L state playoff rankings, and two local rivals are there.
Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central are each 6-1 through seven matches. The Lancers and Rams will play each other for the first time on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Bristol Central High School at 6:30 p.m. Here’s a look at each team:
Bristol Eastern
The Lancers have won five straight matches since a 3-1 loss at Southington, the top team in the state coaches poll. Eastern has dropped a single set in victories over Rocky Hill, Middletown, Glastonbury, Berlin and Platt. The one set the Lancers lost came in a 3-1 victory over Glastonbury on Sept. 21.
Eastern has a balanced attack led by seniors Amber Blais, Gabriella Nozzolillo and Olivia Beaudoin. Blais has a team-high 60 kills, followed by 45 from Nozzolillo and 39 from Beaudoin, according to statistics posted on MaxPreps. When it comes to serving, senior Aliana Rivoira has 46 aces and Blais is not far behind with 39. Rivoira has a serving percentage of 88.6 and Blais is at 88.3. Nozzolillo is the leader at the net with 15 blocks. Senior Alex Dimattia leads with 97 digs and serve receives with 88. Rivoira has a team-high 223 assists.
Bristol Central
The Rams lost a non-conference match 3-1 to Seymour on Sept. 19, but they have rebounded with two straight 3-0 wins over Bloomfield and Middletown on Sept. 21 and Sept. 24. Central started the season with four straight wins over Ellington, Plainville, Conard and Bulkeley.
In contrast to the senior-laden Lancers, the Rams have just two seniors, Taylor Patnode and Amanda Warner. Central is young, but they are really good. Juniors Peyton Greger and Kathryn Ross are returning All-CCC South Region players who have helped lead the charge for the Rams. There are also four talented sophomores, Brooke Soucy, Kayla Onge, Gwenyth Torreso and Emily Ericson.
Central has interchangeable players who can take on multiple positions. The ability to move around on the court and play as a team has been key for the Rams.
Looking ahead
Both Eastern and Central have two matches to play before they face off against each other on Oct. 3. The Lancers host E.O. Smith (4-2) on Friday and Farmington (6-1) on Oct. 1. The Rams play at home against Enfield (2-5) on Friday and Hall (4-3) on Oct. 1.
