12-04-2025
There's something special brewing in Brookline, where the boys' volleyball team is roasting the competition
That's a 25-20, 25-16, 25-14 sweep on the road for
— AJ (@aj_traub)
Though the Warriors have been on the outside looking in at the other top three teams in the Bay State Conference (and the state) the last few years, this season, they are ready to join that top tier.
Brookline (5-0) opened as the Globe's No. 1 team and
'We have made it far in the playoffs, but there is a different feeling with this season,' said junior
Amir Tomer
. 'I felt coming into the season, the vibes were kind of a new chapter for Brookline volleyball.
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
'It feels like we've taken a step in the right direction, and it really feels like we have something special going here.'
Advertisement
Brookline senior Kristaps Vaivars has benefitted from a new offense under first-year coach Lexi De La Cruz.
Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Though nearly all starters have returned from last year's quarterfinal squad, the big change is the new coach.
Lexi De La Cruz
is not just a SMASH Volleyball Club coach, but a libero on the Boston Bounce, a Volleyball League of America team.
Prior to this season he coached some of his Brookline players, and has found opportunities to play alongside them as well.
'He pushes us every day,' said Smagula. 'Whether it's him coaching us or him getting on the court and playing against us — he's one of the best players in New England and I've luckily been able to be coached by him on the beach a lot — he brings the same energy to the beach and that energy and that passion for the sport.
Advertisement
'When you see your coach demonstrating that and showing so much passion and love for every single player, it makes you want to win. It makes you want to play your hardest. It makes you want to leave everything on the court.'
Luka Gallucci is a sophomore helping anchor the middle for Brookline.
Barry Chin/Globe Staff
De La Cruz learned volleyball growing up in Puerto Rico, where the sport is popular enough to have a professional league. He brings an aggressive style and passion for the sport into his coaching.
'Coming here and seeing it might not be the biggest sport was a challenge to me,' he said. 'I'm trying to make sure every team I coach looks cool. Everyone wants to see them play volleyball.'
It has not taken long for Brookline to implement De La Cruz's game plan: running offense through the middle to open up the court. Senior
Kris Vaivars
,
Kris Vaivars tries twice at the pin, then smacks a kill from the middle. This is how the Warriors are finding lanes
— AJ (@aj_traub)
'Because everyone can hit from the outside, middle, right side, or back row, we're able to run a lot more plays,' Vaivars said. 'Other high school teams are really not used to that because plays like that are not common in high school.'
With Smagula —
Liam Raybould
and sophomores
Kais Al-Fakhuri
and
Luka Gallucci
in the middle, there are many ways the Warriors can win a point.
Advertisement
'This year, our team has literally unlimited weapons,' Smagula said. 'There are 10-plus guys on our team that can put a ball down.'
The only position the team needed to fill this season was libero. Senior
Andrew Bacon
is getting starter minutes for the first time.
His sister
Bella
, a junior, was
'I watch her all the time and take notes from her,' Andrew Bacon said. 'As far as playing the same position, I'd say she really helps me out because she can pass and hit. So she allows me to do things that are also fun. Most people don't have a sister that plays.'
Great dig by Andrew Bacon and Alec Smagula takes it himself. What a play by the Warriors!
— AJ (@aj_traub)
Bacon said Smagula, whom he considers the best setter in the state, has developed chemistry with him quickly.
It's Bacon's first, and last, ride, and his excitement is evident.
'It's everything I wanted,' he said. 'Being the [top-ranked team], starting as a libero. I couldn't ask for more.'
Natick, MA - 4/{itcday}/2025 - 05BVOLLNOTES -- Brookline players celebrate during the win. High school feature/notes on top-ranked Brookline boys' volleyball during a Bay State Conference match vs host Natick. Brookline won the match in three straight sets. Photo by: Barry Chin/Globe Staff ) Section: Sports, Reporter: AJ Traub.
Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Set points
• O'Bryant's coach,
Paul Pitts-Dilley
, said the team's 6-foot outside hitter,
Louis Chiu
, is often relied on for his height and athleticism. However, off the court, the junior is ranked fifth in his class.
On April 4, Chiu presented an affordable Cuffless Blood Pressure Measurement at the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair. The project, which addresses an increase in high blood pressure among adults, earned the Christa McAuliffe and the Sanofi Specialty Care Grand Prizes in March.
Advertisement
He will represent Boston Public Schools in May at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio. Even with the added responsibility, Pitts-Dilley said Chiu has been dependable for the Tigers.
'We only see maximum effort and a smile,' Pitts-Dilley said. 'There is no better role model for what we are trying to do at the O'Bryant.'
• With a strong start and a 3-1 win over Agawam, Chicopee Comprehensive (6-0) is proving that last year's run to the Division 2 quarterfinals as a 22-seed was no fluke. The junior-heavy squad kept its record undefeated with a five-set win at Longmeadow on Thursday.
Matches to watch
Saturday, No. 12 Acton-Boxborough at No. 10 New Bedford, noon
— A pair of one-loss teams meet for a weekend matinee, and it will be A-B's first taste of nonleague play.
Monday, No. 6 Cambridge at No. 2 Newton North, 4:30
— A big test for the undefeated Falcons: the defending Division 1 champion coming off its first loss.
Monday, No. 8 BC High at No. 13 St. John's (Shrewsbury), 6:15
— St. John's (S) beat St. John's Prep. Then the Prep beat BC High. If BC High can take out the Pioneers, who have just the one win, it will open up the Catholic Conference.
Tuesday, No. 1 Brookline at No. 2 Newton North, 4:30
— The Warriors took down the other top Bay State teams, but have yet to test their breakout season against the defending champions, who will be on the second match of a back-to-back.
Correspondent Alexa Podalsky contributed.
Advertisement
AJ Traub can be reached at
