Simsbury Spikers Eye First State Title Match After Undefeated Season
The Simsbury High School boys’ volleyball team has clinched their first-ever shot at the state championship after an impressive 3-0 victory over defending Class M champions Masuk. The Trojans, now 22-0, will face No. 3 seed Cheshire (24-3) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Newtown High, marking Simsbury’s debut in a state title game.
Dominant Season and Semifinal Performance
Simsbury’s road to the championship has been nothing short of remarkable. Their latest triumph came with set scores of 25-17, 25-21, and 25-17, pushing them past the semifinal round for the first time in their history. This success is largely attributed to a balanced and dynamic offensive lineup led by senior Adam Vincent, who boasts a team-high 272 kills this season.
Head coach Brian Leblance commended his players, noting, “We have a lot of really good players on this team and that is what is hard to stop about us. You can take away one player but there are three more ready to take that ball [and score].”
Key Players Leading the Charge
In addition to Vincent’s prowess, the Trojans have seen significant contributions from Anderson Piller with 137 kills, Adyn Cohen with 82 kills, and Cyrus Nash with 81 kills. Cohen also leads the team defensively with 55 blocks.
Simsbury’s setter, Jason George, has been instrumental, recording 568 assists and 118 digs. Aiden Ouellette has anchored the back row with 173 digs.
Leblanc emphasized the importance of defense in Simsbury’s strategy, saying, “Offense will come and go, but if you can get stops on defense, that is what separates you from other teams.”
The Championship Showdown
Cheshire, a formidable opponent, will be making their second consecutive finals appearance. The Rams, led by Matti Lilback with 210 kills and 50 blocks, Will Allen with 207 kills, and Connor Hayes with 171 kills, are seeking their first CIAC title since 2012. Setter Bradley Fang has 575 assists this season, driving Cheshire’s offense.
The Class L championship game will also take place at Newtown, featuring No. 1 Darien (22-3) and No. 2 Ridgefield (23-1) at 4:30 p.m. Ridgefield previously defeated Darien 3-0 in the FCIAC Tournament final.
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