By Sapna Pathak
Staff Writer

Observer/Bruce Preston Garrett Piccirillo spikes the ball back at the Keene Blackbirds during the NHIAA men’s volleyball finals on Oct. 27 as Mark Graziani, left, waits for a Keene return.

When Tim Sadowski graduates, he’ll know Salem’s boys volleyball team is in good hands. After winning a third straight Division I title, Sadowski celebrated with his seven senior teammates.

Meanwhile, junior Dan Kinney saw visions of next season.

The top-seeded Blue Devils capped off their undefeated season with a 3-1 win, behind tremendous efforts from Sadowski and Kinney, beating No. 3 Keene on Friday, Oct. 27.

“I feel like a big part of the team,” said Kinney after the match. “But all the others work so well together, that’s why we’ve been so successful. It’s nerve-wracking to know I’ll be looked at as next year’s leader, but other juniors have done it.”

Though Kinney might have doubts, Salem head coach E.J. Perry is quite confident in his 6-foot-4 right-side hitter.

“Sadowski did it for the guy before him,” said Perry. “And Dan will be the candidate to take over for Sadowski. He took the mantle, and I know he’s not going to be ready to give away the championship plaque next year.”

In front of a packed house at Pinkerton Academy, Salem faced the Blackbirds, whom it beat twice, 3-0, in the regular season. Game one saw Keene match up well until the Blue Devils called a timeout, leading 16-13. Salem outscored Keene 9-0 to take a 25-13 win.

In game two, the Blue Devils cruised to a 25-16 win despite 11 straight Keene points in one stretch.

The Blackbirds used that momentum in game three, holding Salem to 18 points in a 25-18 win.

“[Before the fourth game] Coach told us to get our heads in it and play ‘Salem volleyball’,” said senior middle hitter Tajh Stokes. “That means aggressive, smart, get-it-done volleyball.”

After Keene earned the fourth game’s first point, Salem answered with 10 consecutive points. Ultimately, Sadowski readied himself for a game-point serve.

Off an assist from senior co-captain Casey Swift, Sadowski’s final kill as a Blue Devil earned Salem the 25-12 win.

“I told those eight seniors to leave nothing on the court,” said Perry. “Our hitting and passing was unbelievable, and I know next year’s guys have learned enough from the seniors to pick things up where we left off tonight.”

With the championship victory still fresh, Kinney can enjoy this year’s success before saying goodbye to a graduating class that led the Blue Devils to a win streak of more than 50 matches.

Game notes

Senior co-captain Garrett Piccirillo had 15 assists, three kills and three aces. Swift added a record 18 blocks and five kills, while Kinney came up with 10 kills. Sadowski finished with 15 assists, 11 kills and three aces. Stokes had seven kills, and senior co-captain Nick Loomis had five kills.

Junior Josh Klecan was 90 percent accurate with his passing; he finished with 27 passes. Juniors Mark Graziani and Tim Briggs played strong games in the backcourt.