'Bonded' Taconic Yet to Drop a Set this Fall

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Brenna McNeice served up seven aces and passed out 13 assists Tuesday as the Taconic volleyball team continued its dominance of the Central League with a sweep of Sci-Tech.

 

Nyashia Daniels recorded four kills and four aces, and Naomi Tayi had eight aces as the Thunder stormed to a 25-9, 25-11, 25-10 win.

 

It was the sixth straight victory and the sixth straight three-set sweep to open the season for Taconic, which went 5-14 last fall.

 

"Our connection is definitely different," said Daniels, one of five seniors on the squad. "We bond together more than we did last year because there were a lot of communication issues.

 

"This year we communicate more, we talk more. … We're actually a team."

 

Taconic coach Lance Fyfe agreed.

 

"I feel like it's just team unity," he said. "This year, I feel like we're a team for sure. Last year was a little bit rough. We had a lot of things we needed to work out. It felt like were were more of a group last year.

 

"Plus we're bringing in all of our juniors from last year. We didn't have seniors last year, so they're all back. And everyone is just clicking."

 

Things clicked right from the start on Tuesday as McNeice served nine straight points — including a couple of aces and kills from Daniels and Nevaeh Williams to grab the first set by the throat.

 

Sci-Tech had trouble returning Taconic's serve all night long. In addition to McNeice and Daniels, the Thunder got five aces from Masiah Thompson and four from Jadyn Galliher. In all, Taconic collected 31 aces as a team in the three-setter.

 

"Tonight, I give a lot of credit to our serving," Fyfe said. "We served at a high percentage — with very aggressive serves, not just getting the ball in. We basically kept them on the heels for the night.

 

"Brenna [McNeice] did an incredible job again. She controls the court like a Tom Brady out there. She mixes the ball up. She's setting back row. She's setting everyone really. We're lucky to have her."

 

Taconic also got long service runs from Daniels and Ruby Robertson, who served the last five points, to close out the set.

 

In the second set, it was Tayi time. The senior got the serve with her team up, 5-2, and did not give it up until Taconic had an 18-3 lead, an incredible 13-point run that included, at one point, four aces in a row.

 

The key run in the third set came on Thompson's serve. She served six straight in the middle of the set to give Taconic a 15-6 lead. Sophomore Galliher closed out the match by serving the last four points, including a couple of aces.

 

As good as Taconic's varsity squad has been in the early part of the season, the Thunder's JV has been enjoying the same kind of success most nights, which speaks to the program that is developing on Valentine Road.

 

"A lot of these kids are playing travel volleyball, which helps the team out a lot, and I hope they continue to do that," Fyfe said. "We had about 25 freshmen try out this year. Volleyball at Taconic is becoming a real thing, and I'm excited about it."

 

The Thunder will face its biggest test to date on Thursday when it visits Springfield Central (5-1).

 

 

Photos from this game here.