CONCORD – After seeing the previous two promising seasons end sooner than he thought they should have, Brookline boys volleyball setter Alec Smagula built the highest of expectations within a star-studded lineup throughout the entire year.
Now, the top-ranked Warriors are one win away from their first state title since 1992.
Behind 24 kills from senior Kris Vaivars, a well-rounded effort around Smagula (48 assists, three kills), and a stellar response to a bit of a slow start Tuesday night at Concord-Carlisle High School, No. 1 Brookline (22-1) held off defending champion and fourth-seeded Newton North, 3-1 (24-26, 25-14, 25-10, 27-25) in a rollercoaster Div. 1 state semifinal matchup that many pegged in the preseason as the potential title game.
Smagula couldn’t help but smile, realizing the feat of reaching a stage no other Brookline team had in over 30 years – especially doing so after losing to Newton North in the state semifinals two years ago, before falling in the state quarterfinals to Needham last year.
The third-seeded Rockets are next for all the glory Friday at Xaverian (6:30 p.m.).
“Our job is not finished, we have our goal, and we know what it is and it is not complete yet,” Smagula said. “That’s our focus, but it definitely feels great. … This feels even better – Brookline-Newton North rivalry runs deep. They’re great competitors, they’re an amazing team.
“Getting a win against (them) definitely feels extra special … it feels good to get them back,” he added. “I know this means a lot for the program. It’s been a long time since we made it to the finals. … Not just for the guys on this team, or the parents of players on this team, but the Brookline community.”
The Tigers (16-8) showed the signs of another potential heartbreak early, clinching a tight opening set 26-24 after Brookline had surged at the end to force extra points. Newton North’s passing to setter Paul Nelson (43 assists) helped get star outside hitter Simon Vardeh heat up early, notching five of his 21 kills for the 1-0 lead.
After Brookline flipped the switch to dominate in the second and third sets for a 2-1 match lead, it wouldn’t suffer the same fate in the fourth set to allow the match to go to five.
Neither team ever led by more than four points. Vardeh heated up again for four kills shortly after a rowdy Brookline crowd showered him with “overrated” chants, giving the Tigers a 23-22 lead. Nelson then made it 24-22 with a block.
But Smagula connected with Vaivars for consecutive kills to force extra points, and then another to again knot the score at 25-25. Amir Tomer (11 kills, two blocks) placed a kill for the lead, and Luka Gallucci (five kills, four blocks) sealed the match with a block.
“It’s been the story of the season,” De La Cruz said. “We always get down in some games – even in games that we’re not supposed to lose. I think my team fights. I always tell my team, ‘We’re Brookline Warriors. Until the other team gets to 25 points, we always have a chance.’ That’s our motto, it’s been the whole season. And I think they live up to it.”
Complementary pieces surged around Vaivars and Smagula in the second and third sets, anchoring dominant stretches to take the 2-1 lead. Andrew Bacon played well at libero, while middle Liam Raybould excelled with eight kills.
