For the second time in two matches this fall, Cheshire High School girls’ volleyball rallied to win in five sets on Wednesday. In posting a 3-2 victory (22-25, 25-14, 24-26, 25-12, 15-11) at Guilford (2-2), the Rams extended their unbeaten start.
Momentum seesawed throughout the contest. In the opening game, Guilford ran off five points to go up 13-7. CHS cut the deficit to 15-13, but the Grizzlies responded with four points and went on to take the first set.
In returning to the court, Cheshire utilized tough service to draw even. Coming off the bench, junior Skylar Miller-Melillo served on a 6-0 run to put the Rams up 15-7 in game two.
In the third set, the Grizzlies used hard serves to build a 19-10 advantage, however in a furious comeback, Cheshire battled back to tie the game.
The Rams erased a pair of game points, but the Grizzlies won the last two points to break a 24-24 tie. Guilford sophomore Nora Stewart recorded a kill on set point.
Facing a 2-1 deficit, CHS responded by jumping out to an 8-2 advantage in game four. The Rams pushed their lead to as big as 13 points during the frame.
CHS carried momentum into the fifth set. With the score tied at 4-4, senior co-captain Kira Strauss provided service on a 5-0 surge to put the Rams ahead to stay.
The Grizzlies fought off a pair of match points, but the Rams clinched the win on a kill by junior middle hitter Eva Catalanotto.
In a versatile performance, Catalanotto finished with 14 kills, five digs, four aces, and two blocks. Senior Emma Danaher earned a personal-high 20 kills and two digs, while junior Katarina Pawlak had 12 kills (career best) and two blocks.
Senior co-captain Mary Nugent finished with a career-best 44 assists, adding four digs and three aces. Senior Olivia Scotti tallied nine digs and three aces.
Head Coach Sue Bavone moved to within 12 victories of 600 in her career at CHS.
On Thursday, the Rams come home to face Foran (2-1) at 6:30 p.m.
Remainder of Thursday’s varsity schedule:
Girls’ Soccer (1-0-1)
CHS travels to face Hamden (1-2) at 5 p.m.
Football (1-0)
For the home opener, Cheshire hosts Shelton (1-0) at 6 p.m.