
Farmington’s Kelly Swidorsky (22) blocks Avon’s Erin Sutter in Wednesday’s CCC Central contest in Avon.
AVON, Oct. 26 – For the second straight night, the top ranked team in the state was in Avon to face the Falcons as part of Spirit Week activities. On Tuesday night, No. 1 Glastonbury dominated the Falcons in girls soccer with a 7-1 decision although Avon scored a goal for the first time in 10 games against the Tomahawks.
On Wednesday night, the Avon High volleyball team hosted Farmington, the No. 1 ranked team in the state coaches poll. The Indians took care of business sweeping Avon, 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-11) to finish the regular season undefeated for the third time in the last four years.
Farmington was thrilled afterward. Not only did the Indians finish the season with an 18-0 record but they didn’t drop a set all season.
“Our team has worked well together all season,” Farmington senior hitter Emily Raus said. “It’s been very exciting. Everything feeds off each other. We start with a perfect pass, we get a set and get a good swing at it.” Raus had 12 kills while teammate Caroline Piera had a game-high 13 kills.
Farmington went 19-0 in the regular season in 2013 and 2014 but they dropped one set in both seasons.
“This team has been very special,” long-time Farmington High coach Laura Arena said. “They’ve come together as a very unified group. I’m so proud of them. They work so hard and respect what we’re trying to get out of them.”
Junior Maddy Hart led the Falcons (14-4, 6-4 CCC Central) with 11 kills and five digs. Audrey Worth had 18 assists while Rachael Carlson had six digs. The Falcons had a tough time receiving the serve and put several serves into the net which slowed down potential rallies.

The Falcons celebrate scoring a point in Wednesday’s CCC Central match with No. 1 Farmington. From left, Jordan Blackington (13), Rachael Carlson (1), Maddy Hart (20) and Erin Sutter (10).
“We want to play tough teams and test ourselves,” Avon coach Curt Burns said. “For the first two games, we played pretty well and hung in there. But Farmington had their spurts which is why they are so good.”
Farmington (18-0, 10-0 CCC Central) raced out to a 7-1 lead in game one. The Falcons cut the lead to three, 9-6, on a middle hit from Sofia Berrio. But the Indians went on a quick 3-1 surge and the lead never got lower than four.
In game two, the two teams swapped points early. It was 8-8 before Avon grabbed an 11-8 lead. But the Indians went on a 7-1 run to take the lead for good. A Hart kill cut the Farmington lead to three, 18-15 but that was as close as Avon would get.
“(Farmington) has good defensive reads,” Burns said. “We had some good swings but they beat us to the spot. They were ready for what our hitters were doing.”

Avon’s Victoria Adbelmalek (12) and Sofia Berrio (18) go up to block a Farmington hit in Wednesday’s loss to the Indians.
The game was the start of a busy three day run for the Falcons to close out the regular season.
On Thursday, Avon travels to Woodstock Academy for a non-league game and on Friday, the Falcons close out the regular season with Senior Night as they host Bristol Central.
The Falcons have already qualified for the Class L tournament and are aiming for a No. 4 seed and a pair of home games if they can win their final two contests.
Avon is also looking to finish strong for the upcoming 16-team Central Connecticut Conference tournament. The top four teams in the Central, North and South Regions qualify along with four wild card entries.
The first round is Tuesday, Nov. 1 with quarterfinals on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at local schools. The CCC Tournament semifinals will be on Friday, Nov. 4 at 4 and 6 p.m. at Avon. The CCC final will be Saturday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. in Avon.

The Indians celebrate after finishing the regular season undefeated for the third time in the four years.
Farmington beat Avon for the ninth straight time dating back to the 2009 campaign.
Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 30 years.


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2025 NCCC Winter Tournaments

High School
2025 CCC Winter Tournaments

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