Brookline Boys Volleyball Triumphs, Ending 33-Year Title Drought
WESTWOOD – The Brookline boys volleyball team clinched its first state championship since 1992, defeating Needham 3-1 in a thrilling Div. 1 state final on Friday night. The top-seeded Warriors, led by junior setter Alec Smagula, who recorded 49 assists, and senior outside hitter Kris Vaivars, with an impressive 27 kills, showcased resilience throughout the match.
Despite a rocky start, Brookline regained momentum, notably capturing their first lead in the second set’s extra points, which fueled victories in the following sets. Vaivars expressed his exhilaration, stating, “This is something I worked for my whole high school career… it’s amazing.”
Needham started strong, taking early leads in the first two sets, bolstered by outside hitters Matt Cloonan and Will Rozman. However, crucial contributions from Brookline’s supporting players, including right-side hitter Conor Christopher, were pivotal. First-year coach Lexi De La Cruz praised the efforts of her bench, particularly sophomore libero Jacob Lam, who played a key role after stepping in late.
Brookline dominated the final set with a 20-9 lead, sealing their long-awaited victory and cementing their place in history.
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