Falcons clipped in season finale

Mackenzie Vermette's four aces helped Fermi come back in the first set of a match-up with crosstown rival Enfield on Nov. 11. Photos by Colin Rajala.

The Enrico Fermi High School girls' volleyball team (3-15) squared up with cross-town rival Enfield on Nov. 1 for bragging rights in town,  but the Falcons were clipped by the Raiders, falling 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-14, 25-14). Despite the loss, Fermi holds the edge over Enfield, winning nine of the last 12 meetings over the last seven seasons. With the loss, the Falcons end their season in seventh place in the Central Connecticut Conference East Division.

“The girls played well tonight and I am proud of them,” said Fermi head coach Alexandra Pyznar. “We have had a tough season with some really tough teams, so it is nice when you can play a team at our level and actually have four close matches.”

In the first set, Enfield jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, with some nice plays at the net while capitalizing on Fermi hitting errors. The Raiders would extend their lead to 19-11 when Fermi mounted a comeback behind strong serving from Mackenzie Vermette, who tallied four aces. The Falcons ended the set with six straight points from Sara Aube. Vermette finished the set with four kills and seven digs.

“This team is the first I have ever coached that can make a comeback like they did in that first game,” Pyznar said. “I knew they would at least come back to tie it, and I am happy they were able to see it through to 25. They have been doing it all year. I call them the ‘ketchup’ team. When our serving is on, it can be powerful.”

The cross-town rivals battled back and forth in the second set, with both teams failing to extend a lead. The Raiders would eventually drop the Falcons, 25-22. Enfield’s strong setting from Morgan Doiron to the middle and outside hitters proved to be too much in the final two sets, with the Raiders winning both 25-14. Vermette led the Falcons throughout, ending the match with 13 kills and 14 digs.

“Enfield High played well and really wanted it tonight,” Pyznar said. “They had some great plays at the net and we just couldn't stop them.”