Coginchaug’s Lady Blue Devils Enjoying Major Success

Photos and story by Tiffany Hesser, assistant head coach

Coginchaug’s Lady Blue Devils Volleyball Team started their season off strong and currently has an 11-1 record so far this year. The team is currently ranked first in the Shoreline Conference and second in CT Class S out of 51 teams.

Graduation claimed four players from last season’s team, but the team has solid returning athletes. Senior co-captain/libero Bailey Zettergren, who earned a place on All-Shoreline Conference second team last season, returned as the team’s libero. Lynsey Taylor (setter), co-captain Raina Kurek (outside hitter) and Molly Shields (middle hitter) all returned as starters for the Varsity team. Syndey Fowler has also proven to be a valuable outside hitter and Stephanie Finaldi continues to provide consistency in passing and right-side hits for the girls’ Varsity team. Juliana DeFilio has also returned for her senior year as an outside hitter but was benched with an ankle injury in Game 1. She was back out in the court for game 11 against Lyme- Old Lyme High School on Monday night.

The team has faced some additional changes this season. While Assistant Coach Tiffany Hesser has returned for her second year with the team, the Lady Blue Devils welcomed new Head Coach Courtney Manciero. Manciero has been impressed with the performance thus far. “We are able to win and be successful without playing to our full potential yet. As coaches that is very exciting because we can envision how strong the team can become as we become more disciplined and learn how to utilize our strengths.” She hopes to continue to build a competitive and winning culture in the volleyball program at CRHS that thrives on the team rather than the individual. “If these girls can continue to grow together and work each day to become stronger where needed, then we will be very difficult to defeat in tournament.”

The start to the season gave Coginchaug some confidence as they were undefeated until they lost to East Hampton in Game 9. This has built the teams momentum in regard to tournaments ahead. While the team has already earned a place in the state tournament for the 2018 season, they hope to make it farther than they did in 2017 where they closed out their regular season in the Shoreline Tournament with a match against Valley Regional for 4th place in the Shoreline League, 6th in State S Class and a 15-5 season record.

“We also have some talent on the court in our younger players” says Hesser. Sophomore Lena Kozik has earned a position as a middle hitter on the Varsity team and sophomore Maura Zettergren has been brought up to Varsity as a strong all-around player and server. Hesser also says that Coginchaug hopes to continue to feed a strong competitive Varsity team and are looking to the future for their 10 sophomores currently contributing to a 10-2 JV season record.

“We are excited to keep charging ahead” say Manciero “we want our athletes to love the sport and love the win”

CRHS VB1: Stephanie Finaldi on an outside hit with Lynsey Taylor and Molly Shield ready to cover the block.

CRHS VB2: Molly Shield with a tip over the net.

CRHSVB3: Lynsey Taylor setting for an outside hit.

CRHS VB4: Sydney Fowler with a jump serve.