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11/07/2021 12:00 AMThe Haddam-Killingworth girls’ volleyball team was playing as well as anyone at the start of the 2021 season, winning its first 12 contests of the campaign. Following that hot start, the Cougars cooled off a bit by going 4-4 to finish regular season, but Head Coach Robin Callender never lost faith in her squad.
H-K got its groove back when the team competed in the Shoreline Conference Tournament last week. The Cougars earned a 3-2 win versus Coginchaug in the semifinals and then blanked Hale-Ray by a 3-0 score in the title bout on Nov. 5 to claim the conference crown for the second-straight campaign.
Coach Callender feels glad that H-K is back on track and believes the Cougars are primed to make some more noise in the Class M State Tournament.
“I felt as though we were playing very inconsistent throughout the regular season and, at times, that we were playing hesitant. It was almost like we were playing not to lose,” said Callender. “But toward the end of the season and, especially in the Shoreline Conference Tournament, I have seen a more confident team, and we are playing smarter and more aggressive.”
On Nov. 3, top-seeded H-K hosted No. 4 seed Coginchaug in the semifinals of the Shoreline Conference Tournament and came away with a 3-2 victory. H-K lost two of the first three sets, but came back to win the match by the final tally of 25-23, 15-25, 18-25, 25-18, 15-10.
Senior captain Audrey Snyder 16 kills to go with 15 service points and five aces for the Cougars. Fellow senior Carly Rettberg handed out 29 assists and had eight service points. Senior captain Jessica Timothy posted 22 kills to go with eight digs, seven service points, and four aces in the victory. Junior Kaleigh Bodak had 18 assists, 12 kills, seven service points, and two aces.
H-K was playing this match without junior libero Lola Chagnon, who had suffered an injury against Hand on Oct. 28. The Cougars struggled early on, but pulled things together to take the last two sets and advance to the final.
“Right before the fourth set, I talked to my seniors and asked them if this was how they wanted to end their last Shoreline Tournament,” Coach Callender said. “They all responded no, and I tried to fuel their energy, ability, and mindset to accomplish what they wanted.”
Two days later after its semifinal thriller, H-K posted a 3-0 shutout over Hale-Ray in the final of the Shoreline Conference Tournament at the Morgan School in Clinton. The Cougars swept the Noises with set scores of 25-18, 25-18, and 25-17 to defend their league title.
Coach Callender wasn’t quite sure what to expect entering the matchup. H-K had earned a pair of 3-2 wins versus Hale-Ray during the regular season, but wound up taking this one in straight sets.
“Honestly, I had no idea how we were going to play against Hale-Ray in the championship. I received great news Lola would be able to play for us, which made me feel more confident, but Hale-Ray is so tough, anything could have happened,” said Callender. “I told our team to beat Hale-Ray, we can’t make mistakes and be hesitant. We need to play smart, consistent, and take control of our decision making on the court. I felt like we were able to accomplish our goals and probably play the best match ever. The four seniors played a significant role in the keeping the team well-adjusted.”
Chagnon had 10 service points with seven digs and three aces in her return to the court. Snyder and Timothy combined for 26 kills and 13 service points for the Cougars. Rettberg had 18 assists and six aces to help H-K prevail.
Snyder and Timothy were both named to the All-Shoreline Conference First Team for H-K this season. Rettberg and junior Payton Yazmer both earned All-Shoreline Second Team honors, while Bodak received Honorable Mention. Timothy also was named the Shoreline Conference Player of the Year. Coach Callender earned Coach of the Year honors.
“Jessica Timothy and Audrey Snyder are what we call our dynamic duo as our senior outside hitters,” Callender said. “They both have solid performances and ignite the rest of the team during all matches. They both scored 13 kills during the championship match.”
H-K enters the Class M State Tournament as the No. 7 seed and has a first-round bye in the bracket. The Cougars hosted the winner of No. 10 Branford and No. 23 Watertown in the second round on Nov. 10 (after press time). The quarterfinals are on Friday, Nov. 12; the semis take place on Tuesday, Nov. 16; and the final is at East Haven High School on Saturday, Nov. 20.
“We are hoping we that we can continue with this level of play during the State Tournament,” said Callender.
The H-K girls’ volleyball team’s roster for the 2021 season features senior captains Jessica Timothy and Audrey Snyder; seniors Carly Rettberg and Megan Butler; juniors Lola Chagnon, Payton Yazmer, Audra Yazmer, Paige Corcoran, Lorin Danaher, Gillian Miller, and Jenna Whitmer; sophomores Jillian LaRosa, Anabelle LaTorre, Samantha Minckene, Kaleigh Nelligan, Reese Timothy, and Anabelle Zajac; and freshmen Jayani Bennett, Claire Eighmy, Ava Harriman, Brielle Maier, Ayiana Maikowski, Ava Mazzotta, Caley Napoletano, Molly O’Neal, Caoimhe Sweeney, and Lauren Wiese.