September 21, 2012 – The Boston Globe/Boston.com
The last time the Newton North and Brookline girls’ volleyball teams met, it went five sets with the Division 1 South Sectional title on the line, and Brookline was victorious.
The stakes weren’t as high Thursday, but one undefeated team was guaranteed to take its first loss.
Led by three players with double-digit kills, the visiting Tigers exacted some revenge, coming out on top, 25-11, 25-18, 25-10.
“We were very happy to do this to them,” Newton North coach Richard Barton said. “We’re really happy because Brookline, on paper, looks to be a true contender.”
Junior setter Infiniti Waheed-Thomas was at her best, finishing with 10 kills, 9 aces on her “jump-spike serve,” and 4 blocks for the Tigers (5-0).
The Tiger offense was also powered by 11 kills from senior outside hitter Deanna Courtina and junior outside hitter Alana King’s 10 kills.
Junior libero Micaela Cohen anchored the defense in the back row.
Barton said the libero position doesn’t have a hard stat to prove how influential it can be. But Cohen’s tendency to fly around the court complemented her 17 digs.
Senior setter Keane Brazda stepped up with 34 assists, eight kills, and strong leadership.
As the third set began, coming off a close second, Barton said he wanted to pop off the bench to offer support, but Brazda wouldn’t let him.
“She said, ‘Coach, don’t worry about it.’ So I didn’t,” he said.
Not only did he not worry about it, he then watched her put together a play they had yet to run in practice, closing the set and match to remain undefeated.