Hollis Brookline boys volleyball uses second-set comeback to help sweep Goffstown

HOLLIS – This was an all-around quality win for the Hollis Brookline High School boys volleyball team.

The Cavaliers, who are riding a three-game winning streak, eliminated a great deal of errors and utilized their depth during a 3-0 win over Goffstown. HB rallied from a trio of eight-point deficits during a thrilling 25-23 comeback victory in the second set, changing the whole complexion of the match.

“I was happy with the way that we played after coming off spring break,” HB coach Ed Leonard said. “I was happy that they came out and stayed laser-focused and got it done. Goffstown is a great team. I watched their Windham match and they played them tight, and I knew they were going to play us tight. It was a good team win with everyone going at it together.”

The Cavs (4-2) were led by junior Josh Ide (28 assists), senior Felix Yang (18 digs), junior captain Matthew Wozcik (12 kills), junior Marshall Coutu (five blocks) and junior Connor Russell (three aces).

Back-to-back aces by Wozcik gave HB a 5-1 edge in Game 1, and then the Cavs extended their lead to 12-6 on a right-sideline ace by Russell. HB appeared to be in complete control at 19-9 following two consecutive kills by senior captain Mike Moscatelli.

Goffstown (4-3) gave HB everything it could handle down the stretch, cutting the deficit down to 24-22 with a 13-5 push. A kill right down the middle by Wozcik clinched a 25-22 first-set win for the hosts.

 “Hollis Brookline’s serving really got us, as our serve receive struggled (Tuesday),” Grizzlies coach Melanie Margeson said. “We need to work on teamwork and placement of the ball. We have had three tough losses this year. In volleyball, the team that makes the least amount of mistakes wins. Unfortunately, we love to make mistakes.”

The Grizzlies carried their momentum from the end of Game 1 into the second set, as Goffstown took a 10-7 lead on a kill by junior Isaac Borges. The lead extended up to 15-8 on a tip kill down the right side by junior Kyle Pinard.

Goffstown built leads of 17-9, 20-12 and 21-13, but HB never quit on the set, evening the score at 23-23 on a kill by Wozcik. Coutu clinched a 25-23 second-set triumph with a big-time block at the net, concluding an 8-0 run down the stretch.

“We work with our team a lot about the importance of staying focused, and preach that the score is always 0-0,” said Margeson. “Unfortunately, we got a little cocky (at the end of Game 2).”

In the final set, a block at the net by Moscatelli put HB up 17-13, but Goffstown, despite losing Game 2 in heartbreaking fashion, kept battling to the final whistle, scoring four of the next five points to pull within 18-17. A 7-0 spurt by HB, which started with a kill by Wozcik, sealed the deal, as the Cavs cruised to a 25-17 win.

“The communication was great (Tuesday) and defensively we played really well, minimizing mistakes,” said Leonard. “When we played Windham (a 3-0 loss on April 15), we made way too many errors. The kids have done a good job listening, cleaning that up and being smart with the ball.”

The Grizzlies will be back in action on Wednesday with a 5:45 p.m. match at Bishop Guertin, while the Cavs will make their way to Salem on Friday for a 6:30 p.m. start.