RallyNorth.net

Salem wins the state title ... again

Saturday, June, 08 By Christopher Smith
Staff writer

Salem boys volleyball is the champion again ... and the Blue Devils won their ninth straight state title shorthanded. 

Even without New Hampshire MVP Eric Denning, a middle hitter who suffered a concussion and had stitches put in the back of his head after he smashed it against a chair Friday during practice, Salem won 3-1 over Windham in title game last night at Pinkerton Academy. 

"Without Eric Denning, Player of the Year, MVP, it was a little tough, but Matt LaVasseur did a good job coming in there and hitting in the middle and Steve Nugent did his thing outside," Salem senior Andrew Ruffen said. "He (Denning) is our go-to-guy if we ever need something but we pulled it out."

Ruffen said it felt strange being out there without Denning, his fellow senior, in such a big game.

"Him not playing in a state championship senior year — the most important game — was a little weird," Ruffen said. "But I'm glad he's here. We can both celebrate."

Ruffen had a huge match with 29 assists and nine kills

Nugent said: "Yesterday at practice, it (the Denning injury) really harshed the mood a bit, but we really came together as a team and had a really great practice to prepare ourselves."

LaVasseur, came up big in the middle, with five blocks.

"The good thing is that (LaVasseur), who stepped in for Eric, he was the middle that went against Eric every single practice all year," Salem coach John Roemer said. "So he had the benefit of going against the best middle in the state. And he stepped into the role phenomenal tonight. Nerves the first game and then once he settled in ... " 

Windham certainly fought hard. The Jaguars won the first game 25-19. They were beating Salem 21-20 in the second game before succumbing 25-22.

Salem didn't take its first lead of the third game until 22-21.

"That's the first time in school history we've beat (Salem) in one game," Windham coach Chris Baribeau said. "It was a fun match. I saw more experience on the other side of the net."

Colton Burnham and Nugent both had 10 kills for the Blue Devils who finished with a 19-0 record.

Roemer said his team stayed calm despite some early struggles. 

"We know we're a good team," Roemer said. "Basically they came together and played well. They finally trusted each other and started playing. A lot of people stepped up. We had a lot of underclassmen thrown into the fire tonight who haven't really been in the situation. They didn't play a lot of games during the year and they stepped into it really well."