The still-undefeated Conard boys volleyball team hosted Ridgefield on Wednesday in West Hartford.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Kayleigh Martin and Bridget Dawson

After their 3-0 sweep against 16-seed Ridgefield on Wednesday night, the top-seeded Conard boys volleyball team will continue on to the quarterfinals of the CIAC Class L tournament to face their crosstown West Hartford rival, Hall High School, the No. 9 seed.

Conard will host Hall – which defeated Glastonbury 3-2 in the first round – on Friday, June 6, at 5:30 p.m. The Hall boys volleyball team’s record is 12-8, and Conard’s is 21-0. Kelly Roller and her team continue to celebrate her recent 300th career victory milestone with another big win.

The first set was an incredibly close, nerve-racking  set, resulting in a win for Conard. With alternating scores from 21, the set continued all the way up to Conard’s win by two, at 27-25. Tyler Richards and Lucas Hartland were strong at the net, blocking countless Ridgefield hits.

Conard started the second set off strong, leading 6 to 1, 11 to 5, 17 to 7, and eventually 19 to 10. Conard ultimately won the set at an incredible 25-12. Conard dominated the second set and this highlighted some of their best players. In the second set, Conard’s Libero, Jonah White, showed off some incredible defense and leadership in the back row.

The third set started off close, with Conard and Ridgefield tied 4-4, and Ridgefield gained a 7-to-5 advantage early on, however, Conard was able to tie it multiple times at  10-10, 12-12 and 14-14. Conard took a 20-17 lead, and was able to secure a 25-23 victory over Ridgefield, with the help of Keith Carreras whose crucial serves helped secure a victory for the Red Wolves.

Conard boys volleyball swept Ridgefield in the first round of the CIAC Class L tournament. June 4, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Dawson

Despite the successful sweep, the boys believe they didn’t play their best game. Being undefeated, there is a high standard to reach, and even winning a state tournament game doesn’t suffice. Conard boys volleyball manager Kate Riker said, “The boys can do better, They played well today, but are going to lock for their face-off against Hall”

Captain Tristian McClay agreed. “Although we won, I think we can do much better,” he said, noting that the team holds each other accountable in the best of ways, cheering each other on for the good, and pushing each other to do better.

One of Conard’s other managers, Jayme Kline, explained that, “They have really good team chemistry when they’re down,” and that’s what makes a good team.

The Conard boys volleyball team is ready to take on Hall – a team they swept on May 22 – and hopes to secure a victory in Friday’s matchup. The community is invited to come cheer on the Red Wolves as they take on the Titans!

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