Hall hosted Farmington in West Hartford on Monday night in boys volleyball, in an exciting match that went to five sets.
Hall vs. Farmington boys volleyball. April 29, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
By Paul Palmer
An exciting, back-and-forth contest came down to a fifth and final set Monday night when the Titans hosted Farmington in boys volleyball.
In the end it was the River Hawks (9-1) extending their win streak to seven in a row with the 25-18, 21-25, 22-25, 25-14, 15-9 victory at Hall.
“I’m proud of my guys,” said third-year head coach Elena Pevar of her Titan squad. “I see them doing what we have been working on.”
After dropping the opening set, Hall held a two-point advantage through much of the second set; they pulled out to a 17-10 advantage. Then, at 22-20, Hall used a big block at the net to pull within two points of the set win. Farmington took the next point, but Hall regained the serve at 24-21 and used another block to clinch the set.
Hall played a strong game at the net. Hall vs. Farmington boys volleyball. April 29, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
The River Hawks played a strong early third set, going up by three points on several occasions. Hall won the serve back at 16-17 and took it to an 18-17 lead. The teams tied at 19, 20, and 21 before Hall pushed ahead 23-22 and closed it out at 25-21.
Hall players celebrate a set win. Hall vs. Farmington boys volleyball. April 29, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
With the chance to take the match with a win in the fourth set, Hall made some costly mistakes early on to let Farmington take an early 6-2 lead. One of the notable characteristics of the Hall gym is its low ceiling and rafters. In addition, there is a partition that hangs down from the ceiling and when you combine them all, the point can turn into a pinball game. Multiple times both teams had to adjust and respond from crazy bounces to keep the point alive. Hall never really got much traction in the fourth set falling 25-14 and setting up a winner-take-all fifth set.
Hall vs. Farmington boys volleyball. April 29, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
It was close early on as the two traded services and points. Farmington went out 13-8 off back-to-back big winners at the net. With the game at 14-9, Hall regained service, but when the serve traveled into the net, the night was over at 15-9 and Hall (5-4) had lost its fourth straight after staring the season at 5-0.
“Overall, you always want the win, but the next best thing to losing is felling you played well.” Pevar said.
On a squad that features mostly underclassmen, she knows that each game is building for the future. “I want them to keep their heads up because we are a good team. We are doing a lot of learning for next year,” the 2015 Hall grad turned coach said.
Hall next travels to Windsor on Wednesday.
Hall vs. Farmington boys volleyball. April 29, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
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