The Southwick-Tolland Regional girls’ volleyball team celebrates its first-ever tournament berth following a thrilling 3-2 win over visiting Central Tuesday night. (Photo by Chris Putz)
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick-Tolland Regional girls’ volleyball team doled out a history lesson Tuesday night, and its one likely never to be forgotten.
Southwick rallied from a 2-games-to-none deficit to stun visiting Central, 25-27, 21-25, 25-23, 26-24, 15-12, and earn its first tournament berth in school history.
“It was amazing,” said senior Jess Martin (22 assists, 7 digs). “There are no words to describe it.”
When Martin and the Rams (10-10) finally caught their breath – and caught fire – they left Central (13-5) speechless.
In one of the most spirited high school girls’ volleyball games ever played in Southwick, it was a nearly two-and-half minute rally in the middle of the fourth set that turned the tide. Every dig, every bump, every overhand strike drew a series of “ooh’s” and “ah’s” that produced chills that nothing to do with Mother Nature outside.
One set earlier, Southwick fell behind again, this time by the score of 11-8, but eventually managed to tie it 13-all. The Rams gutted it out and finally secured it when Central’s Janae Bunn erred on a fatal hit.
In the fourth set, as the electric atmosphere continued to build, Southwick kicked the bar up on the intensity level, and came out on top after one of the most memorable rallies. Sitler soon delivered two kills, Martin and senior Millan Andreoli (11 kills) served up aces (Andreoli’s clinched), and the match was tied 2-all.
Central appeared to reclaim momentum in the final frame with Bunn striking a kill and tallying two aces for a 6-1 lead, but Southwick would not back down.
Martin hit an ace to pull Southwick within one, 7-6. Andreoli had consecutive kills to tie it, 9-9. The two teams were tied at 11 and 12 until one…two…three more points…and the Rams were victorious.
“It was an incredible match for our first tournament berth ever,” Southwick coach Kevin Pender said.
Pender even admitted it was a bit of a surprise.
“I wasn’t expecting it after our first two games,” the Rams’ coach said, “but I know we have heart. We showed it. That intense rally for two-and-a-half minutes put us over the edge with morale … Even for me as a coach, it was inspiring.”
Bri Bourassa also had a big game for Southwick, finishing with 20 digs.
Said Martin: “We all came together and played as a team. Now, we just want to keep going as far as we can.”
