Sven Benson (4) hitting over two Timberlane blockers.

If they say teams need to be playing their best ball in the playoffs then the Souhegan Boys Volleyball (11-6) team is right on track.  Having lost in the Quarterfinal round each of the last three years, they accomplished what their recent predecessors could not by defeating the Timberlane Owls (8-9) 3 games to 1.

Both teams were well coached, defensive teams so the match-up was inevitably an edge of your seat thriller.  The Sabers came out strong winning the first point in each of the 4 games, but the Owls matched their intensity keeping the first game close until the Sabers got a late run to win 25-17.  Down one game, Timberlane's hitters led by captains Mike Nye and Alex Mill got them back in the match winning the second game 25-21.  Tied at one game a piece, the Sabers knew how important the third game would be to momentum and mental toughness.  Their hitters came out swinging and the Owls defense hung with them most of the way making great digs and chasing down loose balls, but in the end it was the was the Saber offense that had their way winning 25-17.

In the do-or-die last match, Timberlane came out flat and Souhegan hung to a 4 point lead most of the way through the game.  The Owls crawled out of that hole to finally take the lead at 24-23.  On game point, junior Ethan May came up with some clutch serving for the Sabers who came from behind and won on a Greg Cloutier kill, 26-24.

With senior hitter Brian Hynes out with an ankle injury, the rest of the Saber hitters stepped up to fill the void.  Senior rookie David Jordan led the team with an outstanding 15 kills, junior Sam Laforet had 7, and seniors Sven Benson, Greg Cloutier, and Myles Kopka added 5, 4, and 3 respectively.

But the heroes for the Sabers were the defensive play makers in the deep court who continually kept the ball alive and turned free balls into big plays.  Along with the hitters, Eric Bullock, Drew Sagon, and Ethan May were instrumental on the defensive side.

The celebration for the Sabers will be short because they have to turn their attention to the undefeated Salem Blue Devils (17-0) in the semifinals.  Salem won each of the regular season match-ups 3-0 so Souhegan will have their hands full.  That game will be at Pinkerton Academy on Tuesday, October 23 at 7:00pm.