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01/26/2018 11:00 PMThe 2017 Haddam-Killingworth volleyball team stayed calm and came up clutch during strenuous times to create one of the most memorable campaigns in the program’s history.
Despite the fact that four of H-K’s varsity players—senior captain Sam Mohammed and juniors Kristen Dansereau, Emily Jennings, and Ellie Hinds—all missed time due to injuries during the first half of the regular season, the Cougars still finished with an overall record of 21-4 last year. Along the way, H-K made its second straight appearance in the Shoreline Conference Tournament final and won it by defeating Valley Regional 3-1 to grab its first league title in three years. After defeating Granby Memorial and Valley Regional in states, Head Coach Robin Callender’s team faced St. Joseph in the semifinals of Class M State Tournament and dropped a 3-0 decision against the Cadets, who went on to win the title.
Coach Callender said that even though the Cougars faced their share of setbacks, they pushed through them and were boosted by a group of underclass athletes who were motivated to win it all for their seniors.
“Due to the injuries, we had girls playing in different positions, but all of them worked so hard. The injuries taught the girls that anything can happen, and you have to find a way to get past things,” said Coach Callender. “We also had three great seniors, and everyone wanted to play at their best to get to the state finals just for them. Everyone was proud of our accomplishments, though, and we stayed focused on winning the Shorelines. This was the furthest we’ve gone in states in the last few years.”
Along with co-captains Mohammed and Porter, Elizabeth Doxee was the other senior on the team. H-K’s senior class may have been small in numbers, but the trio more than made up for that by providing a lot of valuable guidance on all fronts.
“Kate was a two-year captain, and her leadership came naturally. Sam was right there with Kate with her bubbly personality. She lightened things up and the girls appreciated that,” Callender said. “Elizabeth was so supportive with all the girls. The girls were all about playing as a team.”
Throughout its 25-match campaign, H-K went up against many tough adversaries from both the Shoreline Conference and around the state—perhaps none more cagier than Valley Regional. H-K squared off against the Warriors four times during the season with the Cougars winning three of the four meetings. The matches typically featured some marathon sets that Coach Callender said brought out the best of these two Shoreline rivals.
“Playing Valley each time was amazing. Each game was back and forth, and a lot of sets went beyond 25 points. We were fortunate to win against them, because they were amazing,” said Coach Callender. “Against St. Joseph, we didn’t play our best game, but they were an incredible team. Winning Shorelines this year was also a great accomplishment.”
Porter made All-State First Team and was named the co-Shoreline Conference Player of the Year, while Porter and junior Emily Jennings both made the All-Shoreline Conference First Team for H-K in 2017. Doxee and Mohammed were named to the All-Conference Second Team, and junior Julliette Sasso was an Honorable Mention selection for H-K.
In terms of statistical standouts for the season, Jennings finished with 224 kills, Porter tallied 181 kills and handed out 598 assists, Mohammed earned 111 kills, Sasso accumulated 118 kills, junior Alicia Sleight had 206 service points with 59 aces, and Doxee punched up 426 digs for the Cougars.
For team awards, Porter was selected as H-K’s Most Valuable Player. Doxee took home Defensive Player of the Year honors, and Mohammed won the Offensive Player of the Year Award. Teagan Chrzanowski was named H-K’s Rookie of the Year, and Hinds won the team’s Coaches’ Award.
The Cougars are saying good-bye to three key components from this year’s team, but Coach Callender still believes that H-K will once again feature the right mix of players to contend for titles in 2018.
“The three seniors we are losing each had significant positions. Kate was like our quarterback at setter, and then Sam as an outside hitter and Elizabeth as a libero,” said Callender. “We have eight juniors who will be seniors next year. Alicia Sleight got setting time and her serve is phenomenal. Kristen Dansereau is a solid middle hitter. Emily Jennings is an outside hitter who hurt her ankle in the postseason, so she will hopefully be healthy. Julliette Sasso and Leah Forte are both tall, incredible blockers. We have height coming back, and several of the girls do winter volleyball. We have incredible talent and have numbers, so we are looking forward to another competitive season.”
• The Haddam-Killingworth volleyball team’s varsity roster for 2017 was comprised of senior co-captains Sam Mohammed and Kate Porter, fellow senior Elizabeth Doxee; juniors Julliette Sasso, Ellie Hinds, Alicia Sleight, Amanda Minervino, Kristen Dansereau, Catherine Celano, Emily Jennings, and Leah Forte; sophomores Teagan Chrzanowski and Adelle Biondi; and freshmen Tessa Wills, Caitlyn Esposito, Ella McGlynn, Meghan Doxsee, and Addison Duquette.
• The Cougars finished 17-3 on the regular season. They defeated Morgan (3-0 twice), Cromwell (3-2 and 3-1), Coginchaug (3-0 and 3-1), Old Lyme (3-0 twice), North Branford (3-0 twice), Valley Regional (3-1), East Hampton (3-0 twice), Creed (3-0 twice), and Hale-Ray (3-1 twice). H-K also lost to East Haven (3-0), Lyman Memorial (3-1), and Valley Regional (3-2).
• In the postseason, H-K defeated Cromwell (3-0) in the Shoreline Conference Tournament semifinals and netted a 3-1 win over Valley Regional in the championship game. In states, the Cougars bested Granby Memorial (3-0) in the second round and Valley Regional (3-1) in the quarterfinals, before losing 3-0 to St. Joseph in the semis.