Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hollis-Brookline | 18 | 14 | 20 | 0 |
Timberlane | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
NASHUA - As expected, Timberlane easily disposed of Hollis-Brookline (25-18, 25-14, 25-20) to earn a third shot at 10-time defending state champion Salem.
Cam Todd had 12 kills and Phil Murphy 11 in the state semifinal romp.
"They had great games," said Owls coach John Dube. "Murphy was crushing balls and Cam Todd was Cam Todd. Murph just elevates his game at this time of year."
Phil Balanoff (26 assists) hit them in stride and they knew what to do with it. Murphy also had 10 service points while Ben Beane chipped in with 25 digs.
Now it's the much-anticipated No. 1 Salem (18-0) vs. No. 2 Timberlane (18-2) Saturday at 6 p.m. at Nashua North for the title.
New Hampshire boys volleyball has been a varsity sport for 11 years and nobody but Salem has ever won the title.
But the Owls aren't ready to concede an 11th crown.
The Blue Devils rolled 3-0 early in the year but the Owls nearly pulled it off on May 11 before succumbing 25-23, 25-19, 17-25, 18-25, 16-14.
Dube said, "Salem, that's what we spent the year practicing and playing games for and trying to get better. It definitely is a team that is and should be respected. But not to the point that we don't think we have the opportunity to win. If we play the way we are capable, I think we have every chance of winning. They certainly won't make it easy for us and we won't make it easy for them."
N.H. Semifinals
Kills: Cam Todd 12, Mike Murphy 11
Blocks: Evan Lanctot 3
Assists: Phil Balanoff 26
Service points (aces): Murphy 10 (2)
Digs: Ben Beane 25
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