The hole was too deep for the Stamford High girls volleyball team to climb out in its match Wednesday against Fairfield Ludlowe. After dropping the first game 25-9, Stamford climbed right back into the match with a victory in game two. It let an 18-14 lead slip away in the third game, though, and Ludlowe put it away in game four, taking the match 3-1 (25-9, 20-25, 25-21, 25-17).
The match turned late in game three when Stamford looked like it was bouncing back from a sluggish start. An 18-14 lead slipped away, and Ludlowe pulled out a backbreaking 25-21 win. Falcons senior Madison McCaffery's leaping serve befuddled Stamford as it struggled to return her shots. Stamford was on the wrong end of 12 kills by Ludlowe's Emily Nelson.
"We played one of the top teams in the league and competed, so we know what level we need to play at now," head coach Mike Smeriglio said. "Game three was clearly the key to the game, though."
Lindsey Yanicky tried to be the emotional leader on the court when Stamford tried to rally. She racked up three aces from the service line. Danielle Jordine grabbed eight hits and eight kills. Laurie Pochette provided the best defense with 13 digs.
"The girls tend to lean on one play a little too much," Smeriglio said. "We would score a point and get fired up. Then Ludlowe would score five points in a row, and we would sink a little bit. Generally, as a team, we need to maintain a little more poise."
Stamford now stands at 2-1 on the season.
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