BY SAPNA PATHAK
Graduating the best player in the state, one of the most versatile backups the program has seen and two steadfast leaders should have left Salem High’s boys volleyball team climbing uphill this season.
It didn’t.
The Blue Devils, three-time Division I champions, continued where they left off last year, winning their 2007 season opener on Aug. 28, and their home opener on Aug. 30.
Salem traveled to Pinkerton Academy, beating the Astros, 3-0, then hosted and defeated Souhegan by an identical score, pushing the team’s match win streak to 57.
Despite losing all-American Tim Sadowski, who suits up for the men’s volleyball team at Sacred Heart University, and fellow seniors Tajh Stokes, Nick Loomis, Casey Swift, Todd Moriarty and Tony Nhan Than, Salem didn’t lose a step in handily taking three games against Pinkerton, 25-16, 25-15, 25-13.
“People thought we’d be vulnerable, but we really made a statement going to Pinkerton with three sophomore starters and just dominating,” said Salem head coach E.J. Perry. “Our guys have been getting better and stronger in the offseason, and no one wanted to be any less successful than we’ve been the last three years.”
Senior Dan Kinney, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter, should lead the Blue Devils’ attack this season. Joining him are defensive specialists and returning starters Josh Klecan and Mark Graziani.
Sophomore Jared Scali, 6-foot-2, should be Perry’s starting right-side hitter. Dan Tiner, cousin of former Player of the Year Andrew Tiner, is an outside hitter.
Key bench players are defensive specialist/setter Chris Barnes, who Perry said “was just phenomenal against Pinkerton,” and junior Sean Stewart, who plays behind Tiner.
“The biggest shoes to fill were Sadowski’s,” said Perry. “And Dan (Kinney) proved (against Pinkerton) that he is the heir-apparent to Tim and his Player of the Year standing. Dan has it in him to surpass what Tim did, so I’m looking forward to seeing him play.”
Setter Tim Briggs, with a career-high 37 kills in the opener, middle-hitter Billy Webster and Ryan Woelfel round out Perry’s senior class. Middle-hitter Billy Kingdon should see plenty of court time as a second-year player.
“We’ve got a great mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores,” said Perry. “The experience is leading the inexperience, and they’re really coming together and becoming more comfortable on the courts.”
Game notes
Against Pinkerton, Kinney had 24 kills, seven blocks and 11 service points. Klecan completed 90 percent of his 37 passes. Tiner logged nine kills and four blocks, while Webster added seven kills.