Academy

volleyball 

in semis

In every state tournament, there is generally a game that will test a team.

The Woodstock Academy Centaurs are hopeful that test came Nov. 8 when they defeated Avon in a Class L quarterfinal match after falling behind by two games.

The Centaurs rallied and passed the test. They aced the follow-up.

The seventh-seeded Centaurs regained their momentum Nov. 11 and rolled to a 3-0 win over second-seeded Killingly in a Class L quarterfinal.

“I’m very, very surprised,” said setter Sammie Orlowski of the three decisive victories. “We were one of the only teams that managed to do that. I think we’re just in their heads.”

Actually, they are the only team that managed to do that. It was only the third loss of the season for the Redgals in 24 matches.

All of those losses came against the Centaurs and all were by a 3-0 score.

The win vaulted Woodstock Academy into the state semifinals against No. 6 Joel Barlow.

The Centaurs (22-3) head into the unknown, having little knowledge of what Joel Barlow will bring. The Falcons downed Stratford, 3-0.

“It’s the semifinals, they are there for a reason, and we can’t take anyone lightly. We will keep preparing like we normally do,” Bottone said.

It’s the first semifinal appearance since 2011 when the Centaurs lost to Eastern Connecticut Conference opponent, East Lyme.

The Centaurs again dominated the outside with Paula Hernandez getting 26 kills and Caroline Eaton adding 15.

Orlowski provided much of the help as she finished with 26 assists.

“When things are going right, you’re able to set better, you’re able to kill better, you’re able to pass better just because you know everyone is doing their best to get that next point. That vibe on the court is so great when you’re winning,” Orlowski said.

The Academy, which also dominated on the outside against Avon, accomplished something against the Redgals that they failed to do against the Falcons – they also were big in the middle.

Denali Johns and Maeve Stevenson contributed some key blocks.

“We’ve been working on that and we knew if we were going to beat (Killingly), we had to be tough against (Ally) Conde in the middle,” Bottone said. “Both Maeve and (Denali) have really stepped up their game with their net play.”

Junior opposite hitter, Natalie Low, who missed the first and second-round games after twisting her ankle in practice the Sunday before, returned against Killingly.

“I felt great, actually. I thought it would be a little sore, but it was really good, Low said.

Low not only helped on the front line, but also defensively and helped shore up the Centaurs service which committed 16 errors in the 3-2 win over Avon.

 “There is always that aspect that whenever you are together for so long as a starting group that you understand how each other plays a little better. You mix that up and things change a little. Even though we didn’t go to her a lot for sets, having her at the line serving, playing the back-row defense and passing the ball was huge,” said Woodstock coach Adam Bottone.

Woodstock did not struggle in the first two games as it did against Avon.

The Centaurs won the first set, 25-20, captured the second 25-19, and advanced to the semifinals with a 25-20 third-set victory.

Eaton finished with 11 service points while Maddy Gronski added 21 digs.

“This is huge,” Orlowski said of the semifinal berth. “I really think we can go out there, put all of our work into it, show what we got and, hopefully, make the state championship.”

Killingly senior Ally Conde finished with 11 kills to become the first Redgals player to record over 1,000 career kills.

Soccer

WOODSTOCK – There will be forever something to remember the 2017 Woodstock Academy girls’ soccer team by.

In the Alumni Fieldhouse will hang a banner which will list that team as an Eastern Connecticut Conference girls soccer tournament champion.

For the time being, 2017 will be the only year on that banner.

To all good things, however, must come an end.

But in the minds of those on the team, this end came a little quicker than expected.

Just four days after winning the ECC title, the Centaurs were giving the seven seniors on the team their final hugs as teammates after No. 26 Joel Barlow dealt the 7th-seeded Centaurs a 0-0 (7-6 penalty kicks) upset loss in a first round Class L state tournament match Nov. 7..

“I’m really proud of our team this season especially winning the ECC tournament, that was a first for us. I’m upset about the season being over. We worked really well together,” said senior Makara Sorel.

Coach Dennis Snelling admitted that losing in the first round of the state tournament was disappointing, but there was plenty to be thankful for.

“I feel by winning the ECC, we set another milestone. As a program, we know we’re getting stronger. We didn’t prove it in the CIAC but we’re happy with the season,” Snelling said.

The team had been pretty productive coming in.

The Centaurs had 26 goals in a six-match win streak including six in a win over Plainfield in their last outing to win their first Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament championship.

But Snelling was wary of Joel Barlow despite their middling record.

“We’ve, historically, not done well against (the South West Conference) teams in states,” Snelling said. “I imagine (Barlow came in with a 6-6-3 record) in that conference is like 14-2 in the ECC, not to take anything away from the ECC, but there are strong teams in that part of the state.”

Barlow was not overwhelming offensively.

The Falcons took only seven shots in regulation.

But they also didn’t give up much.

The Centaurs had only four shots in the first half, five in the second and two in overtime.

“We had our chances,” Sorel said. “It seems to me like (the ball) was in their half a lot more than ours. But they were very physical. We were trying to do our best with give-and-goes, but it was a little challenging to get through that aggressive defense.”

That meant the match came down to PK’s.

“It’s a lot of pressure for kids,” Snelling said. “Now, I have individuals thinking they didn’t win the game when in reality, it’s the team that didn’t.”

The Centaurs (16-5), in the fading light, were in trouble in the first set of PK’s when Barlow’s junior keeper Laurel Winslow made a diving save for the Falcons on the first attempt by Linda St. Laurent of the Centaurs. But Kennedy Davignon tied it at 4 when she stuffed her attempt into the lower right-hand side of the net. Centaurs keeper Irene Asikitis then forced a second round of kicks when she knocked down a shot by Amelia Blackwell.

“Everyone is nervous,” Sorel said about the penalty kick sessions. “You just don’t want to put the pressure on one teammate. Irene had a really great game and in PK’s.”

But the team from Redding advanced to the second round when Winslow made saves on attempts by Peyton Saracina and Ashley LaFramboise.

“I feel we had plenty of chances to not go to overtime and to penalty kicks, but it was good to compete with a good school and be respected. In the end, it was disappointing to lose,” Snelling said.

 Marc Allard

Sports Information Director