SHELTON — The Newington boys volleyball team had Cheshire’s number twice in the regular season with a pair of 3-1 wins.
On Thursday, the Indians were challenged by the Rams early but the outcome was the same in the CIAC Class M championship game. This time, Newington needed a comeback to secure their third straight title.
The Indians won the match’s last three games as Louis Egbuna had 15 kills and Teddy Fravel added 17 kills to lead No. 1 Newington to a 3-1 win over No. 2 Cheshire at Shelton High. The Indians won 16-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-22.
CIAC SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND SCOREBOARD
Newington ends the season 23-3 with all three losses coming against Southington, including a 3-2 loss in the Central Connecticut Conference tournament championship game. The Indians win their sixth Class M title overall.
Newington wins 25-22 and is your Class M State Champions #ctvb pic.twitter.com/w0iqWnhkZy
— Will Aldam (@AldamWill) June 7, 2019
“We don’t just have athletes, we have multi-sport athletes,” Newington coach Curt Burns said. “They come here and we teach them how to play volleyball. We returned six of seven starters from last year. We lost our setter but Leonel Caceres stepped into that role and played a big part for us.
“They’re a confident bunch of guys. There was no trepidation on the bus ride here. They just like winning titles.”
Cheshire ends the season 20-5.
Cheshire wins game one over Newington rather easily 25-16 #ctvb pic.twitter.com/6auaonPNuI
— Will Aldam (@AldamWill) June 7, 2019
The Rams came out aggressive in the first game and took advantage of eight unforced errors by the Indians.
The Rams went on a 12-4 run capped by a kill by Colby Hayes to take a 15-7 lead. With the Rams leading 19-16, they closed the first game with six straight points to win it 25-16.
“We came out strong and in a good rhythm in that first game,” Cheshire coach Sue Bavone said. “But then we came out slow in that second game and we were all over the place the last few games. I think nerves played a part for us. Newington’s been here and our guys were here for the first time. That played a part.
Newington is rolling. Takes the third game 25-19 to go up 2-1 #ctvb pic.twitter.com/qwIAIvqxOG
— Will Aldam (@AldamWill) June 7, 2019
In the second game, the Indians took a 2-1 lead, their first lead since 1-0 in the first game. A Louis Egbuna kill gave the Indians a 7-3 lead and extended it to 16-8. A kill by Cheshire’s Aidan Godfrey cut the lead to 20-15.
The Indians responded by closing the game on a 5-1 run to win the game 20-16. The Indians were led by Egbuna who had five kills in the second game.
“Our philosophy is next man up,” Egbuna said. “Everybody stepped up tonight. We are a resilient group and we believe we can do anything.”
Newington answers right back 25-16. We are tied 1-1 #ctvb pic.twitter.com/NFXRYIEYvK
— Will Aldam (@AldamWill) June 7, 2019
In the third game, the Indians took a 4-1 lead . They went ahead 15-8 but unforced errors the rest of the way allowed the Rams to make it interesting. A block by Hayes cut the Indians’ lead to 22-18. Newington hung on and at game point another Egbuna kill gave the Indians a 25-19 win and 2-1 lead in games.
In the fourth and deciding game, the Indians took a 13-8 lead. But the Rams battled back and a Godfrey kill sent the Cheshire fans to their feet, tying the game at 21.
The Indians took a 23-21 lead and a Hayes kill cut the lead to 23-22. Newington made it 24-22 and a Razik Amadou kill sealed the win, match and title at 25-22.
Godfrey led the Rams with 14 kills and Colby Hayes added 12. Luke Pinciaro had 31 assists for the Rams.
