BROOKLINE – A perfect storm of injuries robbed the boys volleyball community of an epic dual between arguably the state’s two top teams Thursday night.
Top-ranked Brookline found different value, though, in a 3-0 win (25-17, 25-23 27-25) over rival and second-ranked Newton North.
With four key Tigers (11-6) starters out with injuries likely until the state tournament, the Warriors – playing the first of four games in a six-day stretch – used the opportunity to filter in a mix of their regulars and the end of the bench.
What they got was a glimpse of a promising future, much-needed rest for the starters, and at least a share of the Bay State Conference Carey title, which the program hasn’t won in well over a decade.
“That was a great opportunity for my starters to rest, and also a great opportunity for my second squad to show me who is the next guy,” said Brookline head coach Lexi De La Cruz. “I got a good idea of who are my subs (in the tournament), and I’m super happy I also got to see my freshmen – who are the future of this program – play against a team like Newton North.”
The Warriors had subbed out all of its typical starters after building a 19-8 lead in a dominant first set, aside from libero Andrew Bacon. They began the next two sets with a few of them off the floor, too, before the battle of the benches saw Newton North force some starters back in in key moments.
Freshman outside hitter Will Kiger – who De La Cruz called a future face of the program – posted eight kills playing alongside the depth of the bench and current starters. That includes two to close out the 25-17 first set, and two to close out a 25-23 second set the Warriors needed to rally in. Freshman setter Luis Suarez-Romero dished five assists around a block in the third set in a promising showing, and Flynn Guemple had six assists in the first two.
Sebi Levi had a positive impact in the second set at libero, while Luka Gallucci and Zachary Spencer played well in heightened roles.
For star setter Alec Smagula it was nice to flip roles with the bench and work with more members of the team to take down a key opponent.
“It’s always great to get the whole team in the game, but I think this one’s a little bit special because it’s against Newton North – that’s our rival,” he said. “It’s just super good to get the freshmen in, get some varsity guys that don’t usually see the court as much. To get them to play against one of the big four is a really cool feeling. … It’s just so much fun to be able to cheer for the people that support us throughout the entire year.”
Newton North head coach Nile Fox was pleased with how his own team played in the battle of the benches, stepping up for injuries to star outside hitter Simon Vardeh, star libero Brady Dwyer, setter Paul Nelson and sophomore outside Aaron Stein.
Typical starters Peter Reale and Amaris Cotto had almost their typical impact, as did fellow rotation regular Bryson Mercedes. Around them, sophomore Taz Webber and Ben Towvim played well.
A big run in the second took a 15-11 run that forced Brookline starters back in, and another one in the third for a 20-16 lead did the same. Even after those starters came back in, the Tigers rallied from a 24-22 deficit for a 25-24 lead.
Star outside hitter Kris Vaivars posted three kills and a block in a 9-2 run to turn the second set’s deficit into a 20-17 lead. Smagula dished seven assists in the closeout, and had six assists with a kill to negate the third’s deficit. Amir Tomer showed off his typical well-rounded play and right-side Conor Christopher played well.
“They’re incredible,” De La Cruz said. “I think the main reason is (Smagula). … (He) is a true quarterback of this team.”
Brookline now has at least a share of the conference title. A Natick loss to Needham on Tuesday, or a Warriors win over Framingham, secures the out-right crown.
