This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
10/16/2017 12:00 AMThe Morgan volleyball team turned in a strong performance last week by winning two of its three matches to move within two victories of qualifying for the Class S State Tournament after missing it last year. The Huskies entered the week having lost five straight matches, but bounced back by defeating Old Lyme and North Branford in last week’s action. Morgan now owns a record of 6-8 on the year.
On Oct. 10, the Huskies faced off against Old Lyme on the road and won 3-0. The next day, Morgan hosted North Branford and prevailed by a 3-1 score. Finally, on Oct. 13, the Huskies had a road contest against Valley Regional and took a 3-1 defeat.
Second-year Head Coach Paige Trusty began the 2017 season with a plan of getting her athletes to play better off of one another. Trusty believes the Huskies have made some serious strides in that regard, and the results are starting to pay dividends on the court.
“At the beginning of the season, our team goal was to work more as a team. As individuals, we had a variety of strengths. Our challenge was to piece them together, so we were strong as one,” said Trusty. “I believe we have worked very hard towards reaching our goal and will continue to improve as the season continues...We will continue to make the adjustments we need to make in order to be successful.”
Those improvements were on display in the Huskies’ shutout win against Old Lyme. Each set was a decisive victory for Morgan, which prevailed behind scores of 25-14, 25-14, and 25-12. The Huskies’ captains all had strong showings with senior Georgia Nye offering up eight kills, six digs, four aces, two receptions, and a block; fellow senior Taylor Marnett notching 11 digs and nine receptions; and junior Mackenzie Anderson collecting seven digs, eight receptions, three aces, and a kill.
Coach Trusty loves what her captains bring to her program in matches, at practice, and in the classroom.
“They lead by example on and off the court...The captains provide a strong role model for the younger players academically, as well as athletically,” Trusty said. “I can always rely on these three girls to work hard during practice and play their hardest for each point. I also admire that they acknowledge the importance of each and every teammate, and that the team’s success is dependent on each of them—not just the starting six players.”
Additionally in the victory, senior Madison Seeger had with four kills, four aces, three digs, and a block; sophomore Charlotte Davenport had nine aces, and sophomore Sarah Kuever dished out 12 assists. Coach Trusty felt her team showed what it’s capable of when the Huskies play together as a unit.
“I think the girls played well together and stayed focus on our goal of being aggressive offensively,” she said. “Maddy Seeger had a strong game, changing up her attack, as well as blocking.”
Against North Branford, the Huskies came speeding out of the gates and took it to the Thunderbirds by winning the first two sets 25-13 and 25-17. North Branford got back into the match with a 25-22 victory in the third set, but the Huskies refocused and sealed the win by taking the fourth set 25-15.
Trusty said the fourth set displayed the resiliency of the Huskies when they’re at their best.
“We came out strong against North Branford during the first and second sets,” Trusty said. “At times, we struggle to come back from behind, and I think we got in our own heads during the third, making small unforced errors. I am proud of the way the girls came back and finished the game in the fourth set.”
Nye had another big game by totaling 18 kills, four aces, two digs, an assist, and a reception. Marnett provided 21 digs, 14 receptions, and an assist, while Anderson had 21 digs, 11 receptions, five kills, four aces, and an assist. Kuever had 26 assists, three digs, and a kill. Senior Maggie Mahoney added two blocks, two kills, two digs and an ace, while Davenport had six aces and a kill. Seeger had two blocks, four kills, two aces, and a dig.
Morgan’s final matchup of the week against Valley Regional was a difficult one, although it still featured some positives. The Huskies won the first set 25-23 before the Warriors took the next three by scores of 25-12, 25-19, and 25-21. Even in the loss, Coach Trusty was pleased with the way her squad competed on the court.
“I was extremely proud at how our girls played [against Valley], and I think this game highlights our hard work and improvements made throughout the season,” said Trusty. “The first set was unbelievably exciting to watch. Each player contributed and was aggressively after each and every point. As a team, we saved shanked passes and were scrappy, which has been a goal of ours...After losing the second and third sets, teams often get down, but Morgan played competitively until the very last play.”
Trusty believes that Morgan has the right stuff to make a solid run at the postseason this year. Trusty said the Huskies have worked hard at improving their game, and they’re seeing better results in the latter half of the campaign—the precise time that any coach wants a squad to heat up.
“We have an incredibly hard-working team. With three starting sophomores, it has been challenging to prepare them for varsity level games, but the Morgan volleyball team is resilient,” Trusty said. “We have been faced with some upsetting loses, but the girls continue to work together and hard each day in practice. I believe the second half of our season is proving that we are improving each and every day.”
From the Sidelines
Paige Trusty is in her second season at the helm of the Morgan girls’ volleyball team. She is assisted by Jessica Lynch, who is also head for the junior varsity squad.
Morgan’s wins this season have come against Old Lyme (3-0 and 3-0), North Branford (3-0 and 3-1), East Hampton (3-0), and Creed (3-0).
The Huskies’ last five matches of the regular season are at East Hampton on Monday, Oct. 16; home for Creed on Wednesday, Oct. 18; at Hale-Ray on Friday, Oct. 20; home versus Coginchaug on Monday, Oct. 23; and home against Cromwell on Senior Night on Wednesday, Oct. 25. All of these matches start at 5:30 p.m.