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HB boys volleyball scores victory at BG

NASHUA – The second boys volleyball meeting between Hollis Brookline and Bishop Guertin wasn’t much different from the first.

Just like that April 13 matchup, the Cavaliers (13-3) scored a four-set win over the Cardinals (3-13). On Wednesday, May 25, HB left the Colligidome with a 25-14, 25-15, 24-26, 25-20 victory, while extending its win streak to five matches, helping the Cavaliers keep a hold of second in the standings with two games remaining as they prepare for the tournament.

A playoff run in which HB coach Ed Leonard is expecting a lot from his squad.

"Going foward, we go two games and look to finish out strong," Leonard said. "Hopefully we can put those away and continue on to the playoffs. I see us at second or third with a good shot at winning the whole thing."

As for the Cardinals, it hasn’t been the best of seasons but coach Matt Box has yet to be disappointed by his team’s effort.

"I think we have tons of skill," Box said. "It’s been more about creating a sense of team and playing as one unit. I think we had nothing to lose today. We realized what we had to do and we came together and it showed."

The first set started off strong for the Cardinals, but BG’s momentum quickly stopped as the Cavs took control and won the set 25-14.

Miscommunications and poor serving proved costly for the Cardinals throughout the match.

Tucker McIlwarth and Bret Belden spearheaded HB’s attack with serious velocity on their spikes as the team’s main point creator. That type of attack, along with Scott Van Coughnett’s equally-forcful offense, continued into the second set for another Cavs’ win (25-15).

The Cardinals miscommunication subsided in the third set, as they pulled out a 26-24 win led by a strong defensive effort from Caleb Northcott..

The Cardinals continued their valiant comeback attempt in the fourth set, but the Cavaliers ended the run with a 25-20 win to close things out.

Nick Wood led HB with 10 kills and three aces, while McIlwarth and Jacob McGettigan (two blocks) had five kills each, and Van Coughnett contributed 27 assists in the winning effort.