Naugy sweeps away Kennedy

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Naugatuck swept Kennedy Tuesday night to improve to 6-7 on the year. –FILE PHOTO

WATERBURY — Before the season started, Naugatuck volleyball coach Fred Scheithe said his girls needed time to develop into a good team. On Tuesday night, the Greyhounds may have arrived.

Naugy swept Kennedy (25-8, 25-20, 25-19) in impressive fashion, earned an important road win and moved one win closer to earning a postseason tournament berth.

“This was totally by far our best game yet this season,” Scheithe said. “I’m so happy for this team.”

The Greyhounds improved to 6-7 overall with the win and two victories away from qualifing for the state tournament with five matches left.

Kait Barry served up 11 straight points in the first set to bring the ‘Hounds to set point at 24-7. Barry finished with 14 service points, five aces, five kills and four digs.

“Our serving was very consistent,” Schiethe said. “We served well and received well, and when that happens everything else falls into place.”

Many other players stepped up Tuesday as well.

Stef Barry added 10 service points, four aces and 16 assists. Sarah Chandler had 10 digs, seven service points, six kills, three aces and two blocks.

Melissa Ascencao provided eight service points and 19 assists for Naugy, while Ashley Whitney had perhaps her best match in the front row for the ‘Hounds.

Whitney, a junior, had five kills, five service points and four blocks. She also went up against one of the top front row players in the league, Kennedy’s Destiny Hoffer.

“Ashley had a major impact,” Scheithe said. “She played very smart at the net and held her own against Hoffer.”

In addition to bringing the team closer to the postseason, the victory also gave a relatively inexperienced Naugy squad a signature win that can lead to larger gains this season.

“This was a good confidence boost for us,” Scheithe said. “I told them before the match, ‘Let’s play like we need this to make the tournament.’”

Perhaps just as important, it showed that Naugy can play — and defeat — good competition.

“This showed that when we play well, we can play with anybody,” Scheithe said.

Naugy will play Wilby Thursday and travel to Crosby on Friday for a 6 p.m. matchup.

Next week, Naugy makes a rare non-conference trip to Terryville on Monday before finishing out the regular season at home with matches against Torrington on Tuesday and Woodland on Thursday.