After being swept in four straight matches over the previous nine days, the Wilton High volleyball team was staring at another 3-0 loss on Wednesday at home, after losing the first two games to Staples.
But being that it was Senior Night, the Warriors weren’t going to go down without a fight.
They won the third game, 25-19, ending a 15-game losing streak, and kept right on going by easily winning the final two games, 25-16, 15-4, for a shocking come-from-behind match victory, 3-2.
“Everything was working. Service return. Defense. We were able to pick up nearly everything Staples was sending over,” said head coach Steve Brienza of the team’s play over the final three games. “We really picked up all the momentum.”
Leading the way were Rachel Low with 30 assists and eight digs, Hayley Meyer with 12 services points (two aces) and four kills, Ava Martinelli with 14 services points (five aces) and 11 digs, and Sommer Rogg with 12 kills and nine digs.
Wilton, which improved to 9-10, will try to end the regular season at .500 with a win at New Canaan later today (5:30), before moving on to the state playoffs later next week.
The Wreckers, who entered the match in seventh place in the FCIAC standings and fighting for a playoff berth, had won the first two games, 25-17, 25-19.
The Warriors refused to roll over, however, especially on the night they were honoring their six seniors — Martinelli, Low, Meyer, Kat Aznaran, Sarah Souza and Isabella Jones.
“The six seniors were determined to go out in their last home game on a more positive note. They were very motivated and emotional. It was a great night for them,” said Brienza.
The team was also hungry for a win having lost five matches in a row. Wilton was coming off consecutive 3-0 losses this past week to Trumbull, Stamford and McMahon, three of the top five teams in the FCIAC.
“The girls were really focused coming into the match,” said Brienza. “I’m happy we were able to put everything together and get a win against a good opponent in Staples.”
The Wreckers fell to 11-8 with the loss.