Norwich Tech boys volleyball earns first state tourney berth

What’s better than making program history on Senior Night?

On a night when the Norwich Tech boys volleyball team was honoring its four seniors the Warriors decided to make it an even bigger celebration.

Norwich Tech clinched the first CIAC state tournament berth in the program’s four-year history with a 25-19, 25-19, and 25-12 sweep over Cheney Tech on Tuesday in Norwich. The Warriors are also headed to the Connecticut Valley League postseason tournament for the first time.

“It’s like a miracle,” Warriors senior captain Angel Garcia said.

Garcia and fellow seniors Ben Jackson, Cameron Maskaly, and Hunter Jackson, were recognized in a nice pregame ceremony with their families.

“It was a big night,” Garcia said. “I’m really proud of us. We did a really good job together. We were good competition against teams this season.”

The Warriors didn’t win a game during their inaugural season in 2021. The program’s first win came on April 11, 2022, a 3-0 sweep against Hartford Magnet.

“It’s really exciting,” Norwich Tech coach Tim Krodel. “It’s a big thing for the guys qualifying for the CVL and the CIAC tournaments.”

Krodel, who also coaches the Warriors girls volleyball team, is nearing his 30th year in various capacities at the school. Krodel and his wife, Deb, started the Norwich Tech girls volleyball program in 1990, guiding the Warriors to the CIAC Class S quarterfinals in 2016.

The Warriors, who improved to 8-8 (6-5 CVL) after sweeping Cheney Tech, boast wins over CVL contenders  Rockville, Woodstock Academy, and Putnam this season. They dropped a pair of games against Norwich Free Academy, who will most likely be the CVL tournament’s top seed.

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“I like how we’re all comfortable together,” Garcia said. “If we’re missing a person for a game it might feel off but we’re like a family so we’re still able to connect with each other.”

Garcia, the Warriors’ setter, dished out 16 assists against Cheney Tech.

“I just get the ball outside to Bradley and Mason and all of them,” Garcia said.

Warriors junior outside hitters Bradley Martell and Mason Matthews put a lot of pressure on Cheney’s defense. Martell finished with a game-high 13 kills, while Matthews added 10 digs.

“Bradley has a really high outside hitting percentage. He just keeps getting better all of the time,” Krodel said. “Mason leads the team in digs. He covers well. They’re doing a great job for us.”

The Warriors roster also includes juniors Landon O’Brien, Jordan Glidewell, and Ryan Lowell; sophomores Emerson Avery and Craig Stafford; freshman Max Stimson; and assistant coach Courtney Michaud.

“Every day we get better and every year we get better and that’s big,” Krodel said. “We’ve got great senior leadership with Angel and he’s surrounded by young players. Some of our best players are juniors, our other setter is a sophomore, and we’ve got a couple of first-year middles out there. So yeah, they’re just going to keep getting better.”

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The Warriors finish the season with road matchups against Maloney and Wolcott Tech (May 17). Then, they get ready for the CVL playoffs, which begin on May 20.

“I’m really happy,” Garcia said. “We’re really excited (for the postseason). I just want to play more.”

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Tech boys volleyball earns first state tourney berth