RHAM Tops Undefeated Fitch in Five

From The Day

Groton – The Fitch High School girls’ volleyball team was disappointed to lose its first match Monday.The Falcons did take one of the state’s best teams to the limit, though.

RHAM of Hebron, the defending Class M champion state champion, beat Fitch 25-17, 25-14, 17-25, 17-25, 15-12 in a nonconference match.

”I’m very proud of them,” Fitch coach Steve Banks said. “They were disappointed and bummed out, but there are worse ways to lose, like three straight blowouts. We didn’t. We responded (after the first two games) and came back. Even their coach (Tim Guernsey) said they were expecting this to go awhile.”

The Sachems are 11-0.

”They’re solid,” Banks said. “Their defense is solid and their setting is solid.”

Devyn Frank had 22 kills and three blocks for the Falcons (9-1) while Aubrey Latham added 11 digs and eight kills. Also, Caitlin Merrow had 25 assists and Courtney O’Hara three blocks.

”Like I told the kids, I wouldn’t have scheduled a team as strong as (RHAM) if we didn’t have a chance to compete or win,” Banks said. “You want to play the best so you’re going to be prepared for the long haul and can go deep into the state tournament. That’s why you schedule teams like RHAM or (defending Class S champion) Coventry.”

Fitch struggled in the first two games before winning Games 3 and 4 to force a decisive fifth game.

”We were sleepwalking the first couple of games,” Banks said. “Then they woke up. I challenged them … They responded and played well. I couldn’t be more proud of them. It went right down to the wire and lost to a real solid team.”

RHAM’s  JVs were equally impressive, winning the first two games and continuing their undefeated streak as well.