The Blue Devils added four more victories to increase their national record winning streak to 90.

By improving their season record to 16-0, the locals secured the top spot in this year’s Division I boys volleyball playoffs.

As if there were any doubt. On Oct. 7, Salem traveled to Mascenic Regional High School and defeated the hosts, 3-0.

Two days later, SHS welcomed Souhegan to town for Senior Night and again won three straight. The opponent was different – but the result the same – on Saturday, Oct. 11, when the Blue Devils defeated Timberlane during homecoming. Then the Blue Devils celebrated Columbus Day with, you guessed it, a 3-0 victory at Londonderry.

Coach EJ Perry said the Timberlane triumph was especially satisfying because the Owls entered play tied for second in the state with a 9-3 record. The first game, he added, was the most dramatic.

Timberlane took a 25-24 lead on a kill by Owls’ senior standout Alex Mill, but Player of the Year candidate Jason Kinney responded with a block and two kills for Salem, which won the second game, 25-14, and the third, 25-19.

Kinney finished the contest with 14 kills and eight blocks, Chris Barnes continued his fine play at setter with 32 assists, four blocks, two kills and 12 service points, and middle hitter Jared Scali offered seven kills and four blocks.

Against Souhegan, Salem recognized its five seniors, including captians Sean Stewart and Tim Sullivan, as well as Meme Okeke, Jesse Forrest and and Michael Sapochetti.

All five were in the first rotation for game one, and they earned a 25-20 win behind Stewart’s eight digs and seven service points. Sullivan earned a standing ovation when he dove into the stands for one of his four digs. Sapochetti added five digs and four kills, Forrest contributed four kills, and Meme Okeke recorded five kills and two blocks.

Kinney and Andrew Tiner combined for 11 kills and five blocks to lead the Blue Devils to a 25-9 victory in game two. And all the seniors were back on the floor when Sullivan served the final point of the 25- 14 game-three win.

Against Mascenic, sophomores Corey Forrest and Joe Gallant stood out with eight and seven kills, respectively. Salem opens the postseason against the No. 8 seed, Oyster River or Souhegan, on Thursday, Oct. 23.