The Woodland Hawks volleyball team held their senior night home against the Wolcott Eagles. While senior night might bring tears to some eyes, the volleyball team took it as their opportunity to show off all of their hard work they have put into the sport for the past couple of years.

   The Hawks has ten seniors on their team this year, including their very dedicated manager. The seniors include Erika Barnett, Stephanie Badale, Emily Hutvagner, Kate Frenette, Ariel Dowski, Kaiti Lembo,  Robin Jaxzhi, Lindsey Wirsing and Desiree Duby. The Hawks manager, Kelsey Corriea, has also been a big part of the volleyball team for the past few years.

   Starting off the night, Junior Rachael Conti took the microphone and shared memories about each senior.

   Head Coach James Amato then took the microphone and put on quite a show for the fans, starting off singing and then being the announcer for the ten seniors. Flowers were given to each senior by the underclassmen as their name got called.

   After  recognizing all of the seniors and the great work they have done for the volleyball squad, the games were set to begin.

   The Hawks came out with fire, leading early in the first game with a score of 3-0. Wolcott then answered back and began biting away at the Woodland lead. The game was tied at 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, and 8-8 before Woodland took the lead for good.

   Woodland went on a 14-0 run to increase their lead 22-8. Wolcottfinally scored off of a Woodland error making the score 22-9. The Eagles would not score again for the rest of the game. With Hutvagner and Badale contributing with kills, Woodland took the first game with a score of 25-9.

   The second game was played similiarly to the first. The Eagles started off the game with a one-point lead but Woodland would not allow them to increase their lead. The Eagles and Hawks fought head-to-head until they were tied early in the game at 6-6.

   Woodland was efficient in their games versus Wolcott with taking leads and going on runs to increase them. In the middle of the second game, they went on a 7-0 run to make the score 13-6. Despite allowing Wolcott to score one point, the Hawks went on another run right after, this one being 6-0.

   The 6-0 run increased Woodland’s lead to 18-7.   The Hawks weren’t letting go after that lead, they finished off the game 25-15.

   Similar to the Hawks’ game on Friday, October 23rd vs Torrington, the Hawks started the third game against the Eagles behind. It is something they are very familiar with, as shown in their playing. They were down for the first part of the game, facing their largest deficit of six at one point, (9-15). Wolcott played hard and the Hawks gradually came back into the game. After facing a deficit of four, (14-18), Woodland worked their way  back to tie it at 18-18. The Eagles were eager for the win, as they gained a lead of two (18-20) until the Hawks grabbed the game by the neck and held Wolcott to 21, (25-21).

   “Senior night was amazing. We played so well together,” Senior Erika Barnett said, “Even though it was our last home game, we are not done yet.”

   All seniors shined on their night, and contributed positively to their win.

   Barnett did her part in the game, having seven kills. Lembo and Hutvagner both contributed eight a piece. Badale had a team high nine kills.  Duby had nine digs and six assists.  Frenette worked aggressively to compile five digs.

   Wirsing had three aces and seven digs and Junior Jessica Patrizi had a team high 27 assists and twelve digs.

   Ending the night right, Conti put on another show for the fans. She danced to “Single Ladies” by Beyonce to put the icing on the cake. The team appreciated it as they all ran after her to hug her.

   The Woodland Hawks last regular season game is on Wednesday, October 28th against the Seymour Wildcats away. The Wildcats were the only team that defeated Woodland this season. Woodland hopes to end their season on the right note by defeating them.