Like most matches along the way, there was never any doubt.

The Salem boys volleyball team notched its 100th consecutive victory on Thursday, Sept. 17, in dominating fashion, reaching the milestone with a straight-set win over visiting Mascenic High School. In six years of varsity competition, the school has never lost.

“This is the greatest achievement that we have had so far,” said senior right-side hitter Jason Kinney. “Five is a lot of championships to win, but 100-0 almost never happens.” It was a streak that almost didn’t reach double digits – let alone triple digits – when Mascenic pushed the Blue Devils to the brink six years ago.

In a back-and-forth match, Mascenic forced Salem to five games, and in a fifth game that is supposed to end at 15 points, the Blue Devils fought for a 28- 26 victory.

“I always look back and say, ‘Wow,’” said Salem head coach EJ Perry. “It almost didn’t even start. We built on that win, kept it rolling, and that was what turned us into greatness.”

That match was one of the few times Salem was challenged; the Blue Devils posted a 300-11 record in game scores during the 100 victories.

In the weeks leading up to the 100th win, Perry pushed hard to pull fans into the bleachers at Davis Gymnasium. More than 500 in attended, many with signs, face paint and light-up devil horns on their heads.

Perry, also the Salem hoops coach, said the crowd rivaled those at a raucous basketball game.

“Occasionally you feel the pressure of the streak,” said senior Dan Tiner. “But when you have a crowd like we had tonight behind us, there’s no pressure.”

Salem scored six unanswered points to open the match before pushing the lead to as high as 18 – at 22-4 – before settling for a 25-8 win. In the second game, the Blue Devils led, 3-2, before scoring 13 of the next 15 points while subbing for the majority of its starters.

Game three was Salem’s most dominant effort. With Kinney and then Pat Sheehy serving, the Blue Devils reeled off 13 consecutive points to open up a 17-2 lead that stretched to 24-5. Alex Gomes served for the monumental win.

But Mascenic called a timeout, and after the teams broke their huddles, Gomes served the ball toward the back of the court, where first-year player Lucas Moore kicked the ball and walked off the court, giving the Blue Devils the 25-5 win, and victory No. 100.

“It didn’t really matter to us (being defeated for Salem’s 100th win),” said Mascenic head coach Tyler Bergeron, who said the kick was not planned in the huddle, and that he talked to his young player about it afterwards. “We knew they were a good team, and we wanted to see what we could throw at them.”

It certainly was not the first time Bergeron faced the Salem onslaught. He played for Mascenic, graduating in 2008.

“They’re so hard-hitting,” said Bergeron. “I have never seen anything like that.”

Tiner led the attack, pounding home 14 kills and adding four aces in limited playing time, though it was Kinney who had the best overall evening for Salem.

The senior had 11 kills, five blocks, nine service points and five aces on the evening, while Barnes added 21 assists and Gomes chipped in with 11 helpers.

“It was almost like another championship, maybe even a little better,” said Tiner. “Winning a state title is big, but this was a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. It blew my mind.”

Perry said the dedication of his players has maintained the streak; the players, of course, say the coaching staff deserves the credit.

Without question, the depth of the roster each and every year is a key to the program’s unprecedented success.

“If you’re going to be a great team, your first team has to be the best team in the state, and your second team has to be the second-best team in the state,” said Perry. “I think we have that.”

Though the competition in New Hampshire is limited because the sport is still relatively new, Perry sees expansion in the near future – and success for Salem regardless of the foe.

“We’ll play anyone,” said Perry. “I would put this team up against anyone in New England.”