Griswold - The Norwich Free Academy girls' volleyball team wasn't feeling like itself Tuesday.The Wildcats have been fighting illness and were without starter Alyssa Badoreck (flu) for their Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament semifinal.

The Wildcats have been fighting illness and were without starter Alyssa Badoreck (flu) for their Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament semifinal.NFA was also way behind in Game 2 against plucky East Lyme, which was trying to tie the match.

NFA was also way behind in Game 2 against plucky East Lyme, which was trying to tie the match.One thing about these Wildcats, though - when you have them down, you better put them away or else.

One thing about these Wildcats, though - when you have them down, you better put them away or else.Top-seeded NFA rallied to win that second game and went on to win the match, 25-21, 27-25, 25-27, 25-23, at Griswold High.

Top-seeded NFA rallied to win that second game and went on to win the match, 25-21, 27-25, 25-27, 25-23, at Griswold High.The Wildcats (17-3) will play No. 3 Fitch — the defending conference champion — in Thursday's 6 p.m. title match at Griswold. Fitch beat No. 7 Plainfield in the first semifinal, 25-9, 25-19, 25-16.

The Wildcats (17-3) will play No. 3 Fitch — the defending conference champion — in Thursday's 6 p.m. title match at Griswold. Fitch beat No. 7 Plainfield in the first semifinal, 25-9, 25-19, 25-16."That second game was unbelievable," Wildcats coach Bill Howard said. "It can be very difficult to come back from that, particularly if you're not feeling your best.

"That second game was unbelievable," Wildcats coach Bill Howard said. "It can be very difficult to come back from that, particularly if you're not feeling your best."These kids, it didn't matter. They dug deep and played like champions."

"These kids, it didn't matter. They dug deep and played like champions."NFA trailed 16-8 in Game 2, a deficit that's nearly impossible to come back from in rallying scoring.

NFA trailed 16-8 in Game 2, a deficit that's nearly impossible to come back from in rallying scoring.The Wildcats are old pros at the big comeback, however. They came back from two-game deficits twice in the 2008 CIAC Class LL tournament, including their state title win over Fitch.

The Wildcats are old pros at the big comeback, however. They came back from two-game deficits twice in the 2008 CIAC Class LL tournament, including their state title win over Fitch."Our state championship road, we went five games in the last four matches," NFA senior Jen Escobido said. "So it's kind of like, 'Yeah, we've done that.'"

"Our state championship road, we went five games in the last four matches," NFA senior Jen Escobido said. "So it's kind of like, 'Yeah, we've done that.'"Fourth-seeded East Lyme (12-8) served for game point twice in the second game, leading 24-20 and 25-24.

Fourth-seeded East Lyme (12-8) served for game point twice in the second game, leading 24-20 and 25-24.Down 25-24, NFA libero Madeline Distasio made a great dig on serve-receive to prevent an ace. Meaghan Doyle, who played a big role during the rally, passed it to Kastine Evans for a kill to tie the game. Evans had another kill to give the Wildcats game point and Kaylyn Levine served an ace for the win.

Down 25-24, NFA libero Madeline Distasio made a great dig on serve-receive to prevent an ace. Meaghan Doyle, who played a big role during the rally, passed it to Kastine Evans for a kill to tie the game. Evans had another kill to give the Wildcats game point and Kaylyn Levine served an ace for the win.The Vikings were resilient enough to win the third game, but being down two games was too much of an obstacle.

The Vikings were resilient enough to win the third game, but being down two games was too much of an obstacle."That was the first time all season that we competed on every play," East Lyme coach Jack Biggs said. "... And as you witnessed, it was a great match."

"That was the first time all season that we competed on every play," East Lyme coach Jack Biggs said. "... And as you witnessed, it was a great match." Evans had 25 kills and 10 assists for NFA while Escobido had 32 assists, five kills and four aces. Also, Doyle had 11 kills and Levine eight kills.

Evans had 25 kills and 10 assists for NFA while Escobido had 32 assists, five kills and four aces. Also, Doyle had 11 kills and Levine eight kills.Molly Giannattasio had 13 assists and five kills for East Lyme and Maggie Swenson had 12 assists and eight aces.

Molly Giannattasio had 13 assists and five kills for East Lyme and Maggie Swenson had 12 assists and eight aces.The Falcons had a much easier time in their semifinal, using a Game 1 rout to sweep the match.

The Falcons had a much easier time in their semifinal, using a Game 1 rout to sweep the match."It was great," Fitch's Courtney O'Hara said. "We just got on a roll, everyone's serves went in and we just kept going."

"It was great," Fitch's Courtney O'Hara said. "We just got on a roll, everyone's serves went in and we just kept going."O'Hara had a team-high eight kills with two blocks and Jackie Lockett had 23 assists.

O'Hara had a team-high eight kills with two blocks and Jackie Lockett had 23 assists.