Conard hosted Southington in the first round of the CCC tournament on Tuesday evening in West Hartford.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Jack Fitzgerald

In a thrilling four-set battle, the Conard High School boys volleyball team overcame a slow start to defeat a talented Southington squad (17–25, 25–19, 25–17, 25–17) in the opening round of the CCC tournament Tuesday evening.

Following a historic 17-0 season, the first undefeated season in team history, which also saw Head Coach Kerry Roller achieve her 300th career win, Conard has had high expectations going into the postseason.

However, Southington came out strong, taking an 11-7 lead and forcing Roller to call an early timeout. The Blue Knights extended that momentum with a 6-0 run, and despite Rafael Ortiz ending the streak with a timely kill, Southington closed out the set with strong serving and smart placement, winning 25-17.

Rafael Ortiz goes up for the serve. Conard vs. Southington boys volleyball. CCC tournament. May 27, 2025. Photo credit: Jack Fitzgerald

Coach Roller attributed the sluggish start to a lack of energy. “It was just kind of a slow pace for us,” she said after the game. “Once we got our energy and our pace of the game, it started picking up again.”

The second set was a complete turnaround. Conard opened with an 8-2 run, and by the time Southington took a timeout at 11-3, it was clear the tide had shifted. Tyler Richard and Ortiz were instrumental at the net, and Lucas Heartland’s smart setting helped Conard control the tempo and tie the match with a 25-19 win.

The third set was a back-and-forth battle early, with both teams exchanging points at a faster tempo. Heartland continued to impress with crafty play, including a smooth sideways dump to end the set 25-17. Ortiz led the offensive charge with 13 kills on 36 attempts, while Richard added eight kills on just 15 swings.

“We started tooling their blocks and targeting weaker defenders,” Roller said. “We knew if we kept our hits smart, we could outplay them.”

Coach Roller in the timeout huddle with her team. Conard vs. Southington boys volleyball. CCC tournament. May 27, 2025. Photo credit: Jack Fitzgerald

In the fourth set, Southington jumped to a 6-2 lead, but Conard responded immediately, tying it up at 6-6 and never looking back. Improved middle play opened up outside hitting opportunities, and Conard sealed the match with another 25-17 win.

Conard’s defense, led by libero Jonah White with 11 digs and Ortiz with 19, kept plays alive while the front line turned up the pressure. White also contributed steady serving, while Heartland tallied 29 assists.

With this win, Conard continues what has already been a record-setting season. “This group has achieved the most wins in a season for our program,” coach Roller said. “They’re just hard workers. They’re into the sport, and they want to do well.”

Up next, Conard faces Glastonbury – which defeated Farmington 3-2 in the first round – on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the CCC semifinals. “Tomorrow will be a tough one,” Roller said Tuesday. “But we’re ready.”

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