‘Momentum shifts’ in hard-fought volleyball match

FALLS VILLAGE — The Housatonic Valley Regional High School volleyball team lost a hard-fought match, 3-2, to the Lewis Mills Spartans on Tuesday, Sept. 30. With the loss, the Mountaineers fall to 1-6 on the season.

Housy started the match hot, winning the first game quickly, 25-8.

The second game saw a much different Spartans team. Both sides traded points to start, with Lewis Mills gaining the early 9-7 lead. The Mountaineers fought back, winning six of the next nine points to hold a 13-12 advantage halfway through the game. The Spartans quickly regained the lead and held on, winning 13 of the next 16 points, for the 25-16 win and a 1-1 overall game score.

The third game began much like the second, with both teams trading points back and forth before the Mountaineers reeled off three straight points for the early 11-8 lead. The Spartans answered right back with 10 of the next 11 points for an 18-12 lead. Housy valiantly fought back, narrowing the deficit to only two points at 20-18, but the Spartans held on for the 25-20 victory and the 2-1 overall game lead.

The fourth game proved to be one of momentum shifts, as Lewis Mills jumped out to an early 6-2 lead before the Mountaineers reeled off seven straight points for a 9-6 lead. 

The Spartans regained the momentum, however, winning the next nine points to hold a 15-9 advantage with a little less than half the game still to play. 

Housy answered back with six of the next seven points, trimming the deficit to 16-15, before Lewis Mills went on another run, collecting five of the next six points and earning the 21-16 lead. 

The Mountaineers fought back with five of the next six points, tying the score at 22-22, before the Spartans reeled off two straight points to bring themselves within one point of the match with a 24-22 lead. 

Housy was able to stave off the loss, taking five of the next six points to win the game, 27-25.

In a winner-take-all fifth game, Lewis Mills jumped out to a quick 7-1 advantage, needing only eight more points to win the match. Housy fought back with a run of their own, tying the game at 9-9. 

Neither team wanted to lose, trading points before the Spartans took the late 14-12 lead. The Mountaineers were able to  narrow the deficit to 14-13, but the Spartans won the next point for the 15-13 win and the 3-2 overall victory.

Marta Canini had four aces and 12 kills, while Ashley Coon had 10 aces, one kill and 11 assists with Marge Riccardelli adding seven kills on the afternoon.

Housy continued their losing streak, dropping a 3-0 match to Nonnewaug High School on Friday, Oct. 3. The loss brings the Mountaineers record to 1-7 on the season. Canini had four kills, two digs and one block on the afternoon.