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11/09/2018 11:00 PMThe Haddam-Killingworth volleyball squad won its opening contest in the Class M State Tournament last week, before seeing its season come to a close with a defeat in the second round. The Cougars turned in another solid campaign with Head Coach Robin Callender this fall, finishing the year with an overall record of 17-6.
H-K claimed victory in its last six matches of the regular season for a record of 15-4. The Cougars then defeated Cromwell in the quarterfinals of the Shoreline Conference Tournament to advance to the semis, where they took a five-set loss against East Hampton.
Last week, No. 9 seed H-K opened up play in states by sweeping No. 24 Lauralton Hall by a 3-0 score (25-14, 25-14, 25-18) in a first-round home match on Nov. 5. Two days later, the Cougars dropped a 3-0 (26-24, 25-7, 25-20) decision at No. 8 seed St. Joseph in a second-round contest.
Even though her team had graduated some significant seniors from last year, Coach Callender said the Cougars received a boost from several talented athletes who have great attitudes this season.
“The girls stepped up on and off the court. They wanted to go as far as we could go,” said Callender. “Everyone rose to the occasion, and they are jelled together more than our record shows. We had a chance after that first set against St. Joseph.”
Facing Lauralton Hall in states, Juliette Sasso had nine service points to go with five aces and 23 assists, while her fellow senior captain Emily Jennings added 10 kills, six digs, and a pair of blocks for the Cougars. Senior Amanda Minervino notched 11 digs, seven service points, and four aces; junior Teagan Chrzanowski had nine kills, two blocks, and four service points; and senior Kristen Dansereau finished with eight service points, three aces, and five kills in the sweep.
Jennings and Sasso led a class of seven sensational seniors for Haddam-Killingworth this year. The other members of the Cougars’ senior class are Dansereau, Minervino, Leah Forte, Ellie Hinds, and Catherine Celano. Jennings and Dansereau garnered All-Shoreline Conference First Team honors for H-K. Sasso was selected to the Second Team, and Minervino earned Honorable Mention.
“Emily and Juliette went above and beyond their duties as captains. They would be supportive of everyone, and our team was never about an individual person. With the help of their leadership qualities, they brought us to a whole other level,” Callender said. “I’ve been with these seniors since I became the head coach, so this senior class has special meaning to me.”
Haddam-Killingworth also saw standout performances from some of its underclass athletes, including the junior duo of Chrzanowski and Adelle Biondi, along with surging sophomore Meghan Doxsee. Coach Callender said that all three of these players left it on the court every night.
“Teagan’s serving was on point by midseason. She was very focused on the court and in her blocking. She helped unite this team, and her attitude was awesome,” said Callender. “Adelle was consistent on her serving and defense. She got to balls I didn’t think anyone could get to. Meghan started the whole year in the front row. She was hesitant at first when it came to hitting the ball hard, but it eventually clicked for her.”
The Cougars had a gut-check moment after they took a loss against Coginchaug on Oct. 10. Coach Callender said that her athletes dug deep to finish the regular season strong and show everyone that type of team that Haddam-Killingworth was in 2018.
“We had a meeting after that match, where we had 16 to 18 missed serves. I felt they didn’t have the intensity, and they were sluggish,” Callender said. “I told the seniors that this was it for them, and we all decided that we would try and give 100 percent out there, and the meeting helped us. They all worked hard on the court this year, and there was no drama. They wanted the best for each other, and we showed we are a family.”