Many area high school girls volleyball teams are nearing the midway point of the season, so here’s a look at the teams that have played at least eight matches so far.
The Kaynor Tech girls volleyball team (9-1) has won five straight matches heading into a rematch against Wolcott Tech on Friday. The Wildcats are the only team to best the Panthers this season. Wolcott Tech won the first meeting, 3-1, on Sept. 16 in Waterbury. Kaynor Tech hasn’t lost since that defeat and has dropped just two sets during the five-match win streak. The rematch is Friday in Torrington.
Senior Lilliana Moreno and sophomore Angelena Estrada have been among the leaders for Kaynor Tech and coach David Parillo so far this season.
Bristol Eastern (7-1) has won two straight since its first loss of the season, 3-0 at Simsbury, on Sept. 21. The Lancers claimed a 3-0 win at home over Maloney on Wednesday night. Emily Valentine had five aces and eight digs, Alyssa Valentine contributed 15 assists, and Andrea Martir-Perez added nine assists.
Bristol Central (6-2) has won five straight matches, and all have come by 3-0 final scores. The most recent 3-0 win, which came Wednesday night at home against Platt, wasn’t so cut and dry. The Rams trailed the Panthers, 24-18, in the third set, but came back to win. Seniors Brooke Valentino, Maddie Lodovico and Olivia Clingan have led the way at the net. Senior Sam Sklenka is at the top in serve receive, as is Valentino. Junior Alex Rivera the leads the team in assists and is near the top in aces. Clingan and freshman Lily Kirk are into double digits in blocks.
Holy Cross (6-2) rebounded from its loss to Seymour on Tuesday with a win over Wilby on Wednesday. The Crusaders have had a balanced attack at the net with senior Shaye Harris, senior Eliana Capobianco, senior Tyra McKoy and junior Sarah Medeiros all over 30 kills through the Seymour match. McKoy and junior Antonia Leary are in double digits in total blocks while senior Ava Richter is the leader in digs and serve receives. Junior Isabella Oliver leads the way in assists and is second behind Capobianco in aces.
St. Paul (6-2) has won its last three matches heading into a home showdown with Woodland on Thursday at 6 p.m. Senior Allie Barton is the leader in kills with junior Rebecca Kelly providing support. Seniors Ellie Galasso, Barton and Julia McPhee are all above 20 aces while senior Sunny Cook and Kelly are into double digits in total blocks. Galasso is tops in digs while McPhee paces the Falcons in assists.
WCA (5-3) bounced back from a loss to St. Paul on Monday with a win over Ansonia on Tuesday. The Spartans have been led at the net by junior Kendra Cameron, who has 65 kills and 31 blocks. Cameron also leads the way in aces with 39, followed by fellow junior Malene Ramos with 36. Senior Yainiaris St. Hilaire-Porfil has a team-high 90 digs.
