Naugy hits halfway mark on a roll

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Naugatuck’s Cailee Bergin bumps the ball Tuesday versus Waterbury Career Academy in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the game, 3-0. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Cailee Bergin bumps the ball Tuesday versus Waterbury Career Academy in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the game, 3-0. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck volleyball team headed into the halfway point of the season on a roll.

After losing two straight matches early in the season, the Greyhounds won six of their next seven to improve to 7-3.

On Tuesday, Naugatuck swept Waterbury Career (25-4, 25-8, 25-11). Molly Kennedy led the way with 14 points and Taylor Hyde added eight points. Olivia Rotatori chipped in with six kills.

Rotatori came up big in a 3-2 win over St. Paul on Sept. 30, a match where the Greyhounds had to come back from two sets down.

Late in games four and five, Rotatori served the Greyhounds to the win, scoring the final five points in game four and the final three points in game five.

“Both games she stepped to the service line with St. Paul sitting at game point,” head coach Kevin Wesche said. “Any mistake would lead to a loss.”

Naugatuck’s Olivia Rotatori lunges for a dig Tuesday versus Waterbury Career Academy in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the game, 3-0. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Olivia Rotatori lunges for a dig Tuesday versus Waterbury Career Academy in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the game, 3-0. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Rotatori finished the match with 11 service points and eight kills. Kelly Murphy and Emma Healy added 14 and 16 service points, respectively. Kennedy added nine kills while Cailee Bergin contributed with 12 service points and five aces.

“So far Cailee Bergin and Molly Kennedy have contributed huge for the ‘Hounds,” Wesche said.  “Molly has been putting down some incredible kills, while Cailee has been earning many key service points.”

The Greyhounds will look to continue their winning ways this week with two tough matches on tap.

Naugatuck’s Kelly Murphy sets the ball Tuesday versus Waterbury Career Academy in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the game, 3-0. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Kelly Murphy sets the ball Tuesday versus Waterbury Career Academy in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the game, 3-0. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Naugatuck’s last loss came at the hands of Seymour (9-1) on Sept. 27 in a 3-2 match. The two will meet again Thursday in Naugatuck. Naugy trailed the Wildcats by two games in the Naugatuck Valley League heading into the match.

“We will prepare for them the same as we prepare any match,” Wesche said.  “Applying pressure in practice to simulate game like conditions based on our opponents skills and personnel. The team is very focused on each game trying not to look ahead.  We anticipate the Hound Pound to be packed with support in this rematch. Seymour is a talented program.”

Naugatuck will face another NVL contender in Torrington (10-1) on the road Friday. The Red Raiders are one of the three teams to defeat the Greyhounds this season. Naugatuck will visit Crosby on Oct. 11.