By Christopher DeMuth
New Canaan Rams Varsity Boys Volleyball had a successful Monday afternoon with a 3-0 win over the Westhill Vikings. The match saw the Rams dominate in straight sets with scores of 25-15, 25-13, and 25-21.
The Rams’ offensive attack was led by senior Donovan West, who had a standout performance, finishing the match with 3 kills on 11 attempts, a hitting percentage of .273. West’s ability to convert in critical moments was a big factor in New Canaan’s success, as he constantly kept the Vikings on their heels. But West wasn’t alone. Junior Nolan McLaughlin stepped up with 9 kills in the match, finishing with a hitting percentage of .300. McLaughlin’s solid offensive performance in all three sets was crucial in keeping the Rams ahead.
In total, New Canaan served at an 83.3% success rate, converting 52 out of 62 serves. The Rams kept the pressure on the Vikings by serving aggressively and making it difficult for them to get into a rhythm.
Despite some bright moments, Westhill just couldn’t find their rhythm against the Rams. The Vikings were able to win some points here and there, but they struggled to put together any consistent runs. Their best set was the third, where they managed to score 21 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome New Canaan’s dominant play.
Westhill’s offense was unable to get going, with only 15 kills across the three sets. Senior attacker Donovan West and junior Zane Tickoo each registered a few successful kills for the Vikings, but their offensive output was not nearly enough to challenge New Canaan’s defense.
Defensively, the Vikings struggled to contain the Rams’ attacks. New Canaan’s ability to mix up their offense and keep Westhill guessing was shown in the fast pace of the match. The Rams’ defense was on point, with 2 blocks and 20 digs in total.
While the Rams’ offense certainly grabbed the headlines, their defense also played a big part in the sweeping victory. New Canaan saw a solid 2 blocks and 20 digs in total. Senior Mason Park stood out once again, leading the team with 10 digs.
Junior Dylan Ho also added a big block in the second set, making a crucial stop on Westhill’s attack to help extend the Rams’ lead. New Canaan’s defensive work wasn’t just about individual performances, though. The entire team contributed to the strong defense, making sure that Westhill’s attacks were consistently kept at bay.
The Rams were able to return serve well, with senior Mason Park leading the way with 15 successful receptions. The strong serve-receiving game made it easier for New Canaan to run their offense effectively, keeping Westhill from gaining any real momentum.
Photo credit Christopher DeMuth
It was an impressive performance all-around by New Canaan. From the serving game to the attacking and solid defense, the Rams won in every sense of the word. Westhill, while not without a few bright spots, could not keep pace with New Canaan, who took control early and never let up the onslaught
New Canaan’s players, particularly Donovan West and Nolan McLaughlin, had great matches offensively, while Mason Park’s defensive abilities helped to keep the Vikings from scoring. According to one varsity player, “Nolan was the best on the court for sure, hitting hard from the front and back row, Donovan West was super effective with his serves.” Looking ahead, they will soon face off against Joel Barlow, Greenwich, and Trumbull. With such a well-rounded team, the Rams are looking good as the spring season moves into full swing.
