Defending champion Owls fall in final
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NASHUA — The Timberlane Owls had found themselves in this situation before. In Saturday night’s NHIAA boys volleyball state final, the Owls trailed 2-0 after two games.
But unlike against Londonderry in the semifinals just two days prior, the No. 1 Owls weren’t able to claw back all the way for a second consecutive championship. They lost 16-25, 15-25, 25-18, 23-25 to No. 3 Hollis-Brookline.
“These kids fought to the very end,” said head coach John Dube. “Honestly, given how young we were to enter the season, I never expected to be back here (in the championship). I thought we would struggle but figure it out as the year went along.
“But to see the type of effort the kids put in all season, to get back here means a lot. And it’s not like we graduate six seniors like last year. This is a young team. I really think they can make it back here again.”
The first game was tied, 16-16, before Hollis-Brookline ripped off nine straight points to end the first game. It was a similar story in the second game, where H-B scored the final seven points to pickup the win.
Timberlane had an early lead in the second game and appeared to pull ahead 4-3 after a kill near the net. However after a few moments, the official at the net reversed the point and awarded it to H-B. No one seemed to be given an adequate explanation for the point switch.
That was one of several close calls that had the large Timberlane crowd groaning.
The Timberlane crowd came alive midway through the third game when Sam Hovan registered three straight kills to give his squad a 15-10 lead.
“He’s our horse,” said Dube, whose club lost to the Cavaliers by the same 3-1 score on May 18. “In fact, our game plan today was to try to get him the ball as much as possible.”
Midway through the fourth game, Timberlane’s Yanni Kakouris collided with a teammate going for a ball. He appeared to injure his left knee and was tended to by trainers.
After getting taped on the sideline and jogging up and down the floor near the Timberlane bench, he returned for the final few points.
“Heart,” Dube said. “That goes to show you the heart this group has.”
Milford 3, Timberlane 1
New Hampshire Division 1 Finals
Kills: T — Sam Hovan 15, Ryan Doherty 11, Justin Maguire 6, Dan Jordan 6
Blocks: T — Ryan Doherty 5, Justin Maguire 4
Assists: T — Matt Perry 22, Ryan Allen 20
Hollis-Brookline (18-3): 25 25 18 25 — 3
Timberlane (16-3): 16 15 25 23 — 1
Game Statistics:
N.H. Division 1 Final
Kills: Sam Hovan 15, Ryan Doherty 11, Justin Maguire 6, Dan Jordan 6
Blocks: Ryan Doherty 5, Justin Maguire 4
Assists: Matt Perry 22, Ryan Allen 20
