New Canaan volleyball rallies past McMahon and clinches state bid

New Canaan’s Josie Matyszewski sends a shot back at the Brien McMahon Senators during a volleyball match on Oct. 12. — Dave Stewart photo

The New Canaan Rams were trailing 14-4 in the third set of their volleyball match at Brien McMahon when head coach Kevin Marino called a timeout to talk to his team. As it turns out, the coach didn’t have to say much.

Senior co-captain Emma Wheeler delivered a speech which fired up the Rams, who erased the 10-point deficit and won the third set as part of a 3-1 match victory over the host Senators on Friday night in Norwalk.

The victory clinched a state tournament berth for the Rams (8-6 overall, 8-3 FCIAC), who own a four-match win streak and have won five of their last seven contests.

The third set featured a dramatic momentum shift for New Canaan, which seemed on the verge of falling behind 2-1 before they rallied to win the set.

“That was just an attitude adjustment we had to make,” Marino said. “We got a little bit complacent and then we and a great speech from one or our captains who just told us to change our face. She said we have to be more positive and we have to get better on the court. That made all the difference for us and this team just fights.”

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