By David Fierro
As the third set of the FCIAC Volleyball Tournament quarterfinal between Greenwich and Ridgefield progressed, the momentum mounted and the points piled up for the Cardinals, who seemed like they just couldn’t be stopped.
After winning the first two sets, which were pretty close, Greenwich unleashed its true potential in the third set, which proved to be the final one in this playoff matchup.
Top-seeded host Greenwich advanced to the FCIAC Tournament semifinals in convincing fashion, earning a 3-0 victory over eighth-seeded Ridgefield in the tournament’s quarterfinal-round on Oct. 24th. The Cardinals, who raised their record to a highly impressive 19-1, will play fifth-seeded Trumbull in the FCIAC semifinals tomorrow (Oct. 27) at Stamford High School.
Trumbull moved on to the FCIAC semis by defeating fourth-seeded Fairfield Warde, 3-2, in the quarterfinals. Warde is the only team that has been victorious this season against the Cardinals, who have won 17 of their 19 matches by a 3-0 score.
In their FCIAC quarterfinal against Ridgefield, junior middle hitter Kayah Armstrong recorded 12 kills, seven blocks and six digs to power GHS to another decisive win. Junior outside hitter Heidi Zieme ignited Greenwich’s offense as well, posting nine kills to go along with 12 digs, one block and one ace.
Greenwich won the match by game scores of 25-17, 25-19, 25-10, playing its best volleyball during a dominant third set.
“We started off a little slow, but then we picked it up towards the middle and end,” Greenwich coach Marianna Linnehan said of her squad’s overall play. “We were out to win, we wanted to win and I don’t think any team would stop us if we were playing like that.”
In the third set, the Cardinals seized comfortable leads of 7-0, 9-1, 14-1 and 21-5 on the visiting Tigers. Junior setter Victoria Sullivan served an ace, giving GHS a quick 6-0 lead. Armstrong’s kill made it 9-1 in favor of the Cards, who never looked back.
“I think we just went for every single ball no matter what and we knew that if we lost, we wouldn’t get to the semis,” said Greenwich sophomore libero, Bailee Dayon. who helped pace the team’s defensive effort. “We stopped playing scared and we all just played together so well and fluidly.”
Sullivan helped keep Greenwich’s offense on track, tallying 30 assists to go along with nine digs and five aces. Sophomore outside hitter/middle hitter Samantha Tommasino also powered the Cardinals’ offense. She notched nine kills, three digs and three blocks for the victors.
“I feel like over the sets we definitely improved,” Tommasino said. “Our energy started going up and how we played did too and our team chemistry.”
Tea Saidi, a senior middle hitter, had six kills and two blocks in the winning effort. Greenwich is No. 2 in the CIAC Class LL state rankings after having an outstanding regular season.
Following Greenwich’s win in the first game, Ridgefield took a 13-10 lead in the second game, prompting the hosts to call a timeout. Sophomore Lily Zezula served a pair of aces, giving the Tigers a three-point edge. Ridgefield remained in front and was ahead, 17-15, when Greenwich made its pivotal run.
The Cardinals won 10 of the sets last 12 points to win it, 25-19 and take a 2-0 lead in the quarterfinal match.
“I’m pleased with how we picked it up in the second game and just carried it on,” Linnehan noted. “I wanted them to carry on that energy, that drive toward the end of the game, so they could carry it on to the next game.”
The Cardinals, who advanced to the championship match of the FCIAC Tournament in 2024, where they lost to Darien, showed poise throughout the opening round of the conference tourney.
“During the second and third set, even if we had a little bit of nerves all those went away,” Dayon said. “We were cheering for every single point and going for every single ball.”
Greenwich last won the FCIAC Tournament 2021. The Cardinals also captured the FCIAC Tournament title in 2017 and 2013. In the other FCIAC semifinal at Stamford High School tomorrow (Oct. 27th), third-seeded New Canaan will face second-seeded Fairfield Ludlowe at 7 p.m.
“We all have the motive to win, now we are going to the semifinals,” Tommasino said. “We really wanted to keep going further. We all pushed and we got it.
