Taconic Makes Statement in Tourney-Opening Win

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Naomi Tayi had 11 kills Wednesday to lead the Taconic volleyball team to a four-set win over Springfield International Charter in the quarter-finals of the Western Massachusetts Class C tournament.

 

Brenna McNeice passed out 21 assists and pulled up 25 digs in the 25-14, 16-25, 25-20, 25-XX win for the third-seeded Thunder.

 

“It’s been at least 10 years since Taconic hosted in the post-season, and we did a great job of taking care of business and showing all interested that we are for real,” Taconic coach Lance Fyfe said. “This is likely one of the best volleyball teams Taconic has ever had, and I hope that we are able to roll into the second round with the same attitude and confidence that we displayed tonight.

 

“It was an exciting match and SICS is a really good team. They dug a really high percentage of our attacks up and were really smart with the placement of their tipping.”

 

Ciana Bennett had 13 digs and 16 serve receives. Natalia Dos Santos had 21 digs and nine serve receives, and Jadyn Galiher had a double-double with 11 digs and 11 serve receives.

 

Nyashia Daniels had nine kills to go with three aces, two blocks and a pair of digs.

 

“The fourth set was another tough one, but we were able to hang on to a late lead for the victory,” Fyfe said. “The fourth set is credited to the whole team, but Naomi Tayi came up big near the end pushing our lead to 4 or 5 when we needed it most.  Naomi had one of her best nights on the season, making very few errors on the net and ended the night with a team-high 11 kills.”

 

Taconic (13-4) moves on to face second-seeded Easthampton on the road Thursday in the semi-finals.