Uncommon approach lands Farmington in Connecticut volleyball semifinals

The Farmington (Conn.) volleyball team has put together an impressive run this season, utilizing a combination of youth, balance and depth.

The Indians' raced through the regular season with 19 consecutive victories without a blemish before dropping their first match in the final of the Central Connecticut Conference Tournament to Bristol Eastern.

Now with two more victories, they've reached the CIAC Class L Semifinals, which include a formidable group of teams whose combined regular-season record was 72-2.

This from a Farmington team that includes as many as 10 underclassmen who are major contributors, a team that uncommonly plays three setters, one of which at times is its best attacker.

But it all seems to work for coach Laura Arena's team, 22-1 and seeded No. 1, which plays against No. 4 seed Ledyard (23-1) on Thursday at 5 p.m. in New Britain in the opener of a doubleheader that also features No. 2 RHAM (20-1) against No. 6 and defending state champion Bristol Eastern (20-2).

See Entire 2013 CIAC Class L Volleyball Bracket

"We've got several key elements to the team and that's what's making it a successful team because it's not just one area that dominates," Arena said.

Arena noted that it all starts with her junior libero, Devon Michaelis (217 digs, 33 aces, 296 serves received successfully in the regular season), who earned All-State honors as a sophomore.

"She's a really solid defensive player, very, very smart player," Arena said. "She initiates the play and provides a whole lot of focus and competitiveness."

Arena rotates three setters - all juniors - in Rachel Gombatz (79 assists), Linna Jalinskas (49) and Sophie Borg (129).

"We reduced (the rotation) a little bit going into the tournament. Most teams run a 5-1 but Sophie Borg is one of my primary hitters," said Arena of the junior, who has 124 kills. "I can't use her up as a setter in six rotations. It's unusual. It's worked very well for us.

"It's a little of a double-edged sword because three different setters, three different setter styles. That's a lot of variation for hitters. That's why we're streamlining it a little bit more. It gives you depth options that you may not have had in previous situations."

Arena's attack includes junior outside hitter Megan Gombatz (98 kills), Rachel's sister; junior middle hitter Sarah Lipinski (94 kills) and senior Alli Laviero (76 kills), providing outstanding balance.

"It's been a year in which a large roster has been a bonus," Arena said, citing an early-season injury to senior middle hitter Taylor Schreck (32 kills), who was out for three weeks. "That gave (junior) Abby Wollenberg and (sophomore) Cheray Saunders an opportunity. Cheray's a very athletic, a very quick-instincts player, and that's brought us a lot of energy off the bench."

Add to this mix two other underclass attackers, sophomore outside hitter Annika Anderson (20 kills) and sophomore right side attacker Laura Roman (49 kills), and Farmington's depth becomes even more apparent. Arena said freshman Mary Schoennher (12 kills) has also made "tremendous progress."

In addition, senior Sydney Stepeck (39 aces, 67 digs, 85 serves received) and junior Abby Arena (23 aces, 50 digs, 75 serves received) have been "solid, constant" defensive specialists, Arena said.

Farmington has captured seven state championships in its volley history, but hasn't won one since 1979, when it was a Class S team.

"We stare at it every day," said Arena, in her 18th year as head coach at Farmington. "We've got to get a newer number up there. We have the tools we need this year, but you're looking at the top four teams now and they're all solid and have different strengths.

"We're very excited and motivated and hopeful that they can get the job done Thursday to put them in a position for Saturday (the Class L final), but it is a great learning experience," Arena said.

Paul Rosano, the former assistant sport editor of The Hartford Courant and sports editor of The New Haven Register, is a MaxPreps contributor. He may be reached at pjrosano@cox.net.