RallyNorth.net

Sat, Jun 13, 2015 06:00 PM @ Salem

Team	1	2	3	4	Final
Timberlane	25	22	25	25	3
Salem	23	25	19	21	1

Timberlane wins state volleyball title, ends Salem’s 10-year run

Saturday, June, 13 By David Willis
Staff writer

NASHUA — There were years the state title felt tantalizingly close, but just out of reach.

Other years, the title trophy felt like it was a million miles away.

But impossible? Timberlane coach John Dube never allowed those words of hopelessness to seep in during the decade-long wait.

“We never felt like winning a championship was impossible,” said Dube, his face wet with tears. “To think it’s impossible is to give up, then what’s the point? We always believed. There were times it felt improbable, but never impossible. Especially with this group.”

After 10 years of fighting and clawing, the 2015 Timberlane squad finally did it.

The Owls won the state volleyball championship, defeating Salem — which had won all 10 New Hampshire crowns — 25-22, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21 Saturday night at Nashua North High School.

“This is the best day of my life,” said senior tri-captain Mike Murphy, nearly overcome with emotions. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more. It means so much for all of us. To do it for coach Dube, who deserves it so much. He is like a father to me.

“Salem was like this mysterious beast that always found a way to win. But now we have actually done it.”

As the final point fell to the ground, courtesy of a Murphy hit, the Owls exploded into a sea of emotions.

Players embraced one another, racing to find parents and loved ones. Players, fans and alumni alike broke down into tears of joy as they savored the moment.

“When we saw the fans there for us and started play, we just knew we had it,” said senior Cam Donnelly, clutching his graduation cap from earlier in the day emblazon with the words ‘Tonight we will.’

“We kept saying, ‘Tonight we will,’ and we did! This is my last season, and tonight we’re champions!”

Many could barely find the words to describe the moment.

“It’s just unbelievable,” said senior Cam Todd. “We have waited so long for this, and it just means so much to everyone. We knew we could do it. Yeah, 10 championships is a lot (for Salem). But we knew that we could beat them. We finally did it, and it had to be against Salem.”

Senior Phil Balanoff took a moment to hug and kiss the title trophy, fully taking in the victory.

“I just started sobbing while I was holding the plaque in my hands,” he said. “I mean, we actually did it. We really did it. We fought through the hard times and we did.

“Holding the trophy, I can only imagine it’s like holding my first born baby. It’s mine, it’s actually ours. We really did it, and I could do it with my best friends.”

The Owls did it in convincing fashion. They fought for a 25-22 victory in the first game, and were not fazed when Salem took home the second.

“When we lost the second is when I knew we could really do it,” said Balanoff. “We came back with so much confidence and knew it could happen.”

The Owls then took the third game, with Donnelly scoring two huge hits for the final points.

The packed house then buzzed with excitement as Timberlane raced out to a 10-2 advantage in the fourth game. Salem continued to fight, making it 21-17 and 23-21.

But the Owls would not be denied.

With screaming echoing throughout the court, Balanoff set up Murphy, who slammed home the decisive point.

“I went up late on the block,” said Murphy. “The ball kind of went in between my hands and I didn’t know where it was going to go. I thought it was going to go behind me. Then all of a sudden it fell in front of me and onto the court and the explosion of emotion was just insane.

Murphy (14 kills, four blocks) dominated, but he was one of so many stars as the Owls finally made their dream come true.

“It’s crazy to have finally done it,” said Todd. “But it never seemed impossible. We worked so hard and were so dedicated. To beat Salem and take the title is so special.”

And each player made sure to hug and thank their coach.

“I’m a little numb right now to be honest,” said Dube. “I think it will take time to really sink it. I am so proud of the guys and the coaches and everyone that supported us. It means a tremendous amount for the players and the school and everyone. A lot of people own a piece of this special victory.”