No. 13 Avon spikers sweep Newington for 4th straight win; SMSA outlasts Canton

Canton’s Kate Mankowski hits the ball over the net in Tuesday night’s loss to SMSA in Hartford. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

AVON, Sept. 28 – Junior hitter Maddy Hart had a game-high 12 kills while Erin Sutter had five kills and three blocks at the No. 13 Avon High girls volleyball team won their fourth straight match with a 3-0 win over Newington on Wednesday, 25-12, 25-14 and 25-13 in a Central Connecticut Conference match.

The Falcons improve to 7-1 on the season. Sofia Berrio had six kills for Avon while Grace Stevens had four aces serving. Junior setter Audrey Worth had more than 30 assists for the third time this season with 31 assists in the victory. Newington falls to 3-6.

It was the second victory of the week for the Falcons, who easily took care of East Hartford (0-8) on Monday with a 25-8, 25-19, 25-11 sweep. Hart had six kills for Avon while Stevens had five kills. Victoria Abdelmalek had five aces serving. Worth had 23 assists in the victory.

Avon returns to the court on Friday when they host Bulkeley at 5 p.m. at Avon High. The Falcons dropped two spots in the latest state coaches poll that was released on Monday. They were ranked No. 11 the week before.

SMSA beats Canton for first NCCC win of year
HARTFORD, Sept. 27 – Sophomore Datari Mathia had nine kills while junior McKenzie Lee had six kills and eight aces serving to lead Sport Medicine Science Academy (SMSA) to their first North Central Connecticut Conference win of the season in a 3-1 decision over Canton on Tuesday night.

The Tigers (1-6, 1-4 NCCC) prevailed with a hard fought 25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 25-20 victory. Senior Sarah Gangi had 14 assists for SMSA.

Canton (4-4, 1-4 NCCC) had won four of their last five matches coming into the match. Katie Mankowski led the Warriors with five kills, two blocks and one ace while serving. The Warriors return to the court on Thursday when they host Suffield at 5 p.m.