NEWTON – It trailed in all four sets and lost its top player to injury at the end of the third, but the Newton North boys volleyball team overcame it all to add another signature performance toward the Bay State Conference’s dominance over the rest of the state Wednesday night.
Missing star senior Simon Vardeh for the last frame, the No. 2 Tigers (12-2) showcased their depth and maturity by holding an energetic, No. 15 Milford bunch from forcing a fifth set in a 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 19-25, 25-20) nonleague win.
Senior setter Paul Nelson (four kills, two blocks) connected with middle hitters Peter Reale (18 kills) and Bryson Mercedes (nine kills, two blocks) for 25 of his 42 assists, anchoring comebacks in the first two frames before several others stepped up in the fourth to withstand Vardeh’s absence.
Newton North now combines with Brookline, Natick and Needham for a 36-0 record against teams outside of their quadrant of Div. 1 titans.
“We had a few kids come in and just play big roles that we practice,” said Tigers head coach Nile Fox “We know things happen, and with our (injury) luck, it always happens to us, so we have to practice being ready for these things. … I was really happy with what we did because it would’ve been so easy for us to roll over and say, ‘We don’t have our best player,’ and give up the game.”
Milford showed plenty of energy and fight, starting all four frames with leads – including advantages as high as 9-6 in the first and 14-10 in the second. Star outside hitter Gus Da Silva was in the middle of each one with a match-high 23 kills, while Diego Inacio-Santos (10 kills) provided depth in competitive starts.
Aside from a 25-19 third set, though, in which the Scarlet Hawks built a 19-16 lead before Vardeh came out for good, it wasn’t enough to keep Newton North down.
The Tigers closed wins in the first set by outscoring Milford 19-9, and the second by outscoring it 16-4.
“It’s not ideal to start off behind, but I think that’s what pushes us,” Fox said. “Being able to come back from little losses or being able to come back from being a few points back. … When we are in those situations, I’m glad we’re showing we’re able to come back and still compete.”
Along with strong passing and serving from libero Brady Dwyer, and pockets of standout play from Vardeh (eight kills, block) and Aaron Stein (10 kills), Nelson’s connection with his middles highlighted both of those runs.
“It’s definitely improving,” Nelson said. “I think we’re doing a lot better. I’m really proud of (Reale) and (Mercedes), both of them. … I think (Reale) is one of, if not the, best middles in the state. I’m really proud of him, I think he’s a really amazing player. I think I need to focus on (setting) him more than I have been.”
“(Reale and Mercedes) were great,” Fox added. “I think the block could’ve been better, but offensively, they were great. (Reale’s) been playing like one of the best middles in the state … I’m just hoping he keeps doing it. He’s a serious problem, and (Mercedes) has been doing nothing but surpassing (high expectations) I already set for him.”
After Milford secured the third, Newton North’s depth delivered in the fourth as it pivoted to use Nelson as a setter and a hitter.
Taz Webber (six assists, ace) stepped into his role well, as did Ben Towvim with a kill and two aces. Stein took off for five kills, as did Reale with five himself.
Newton North needs Vardeh in its Div. 1 title hopes, but for now, this was a great showing.
“It does mean we have some versatility when it comes to lineup changes, even for when we do have (Vardeh),” Nelson said. “But really, with (Vardeh), we’re a different team.”
