HUDSON -- The Newton North boys' volleyball team thought it was all over after being blasted by Agawam, 25-14, in Game 1 of the state semifinals Thursday night at Hudson High. Thankfully for the Tigers, volleyball is a multiple-game sport.

The Tigers fought for their lives and pushed the match to five games, where Newton North prevailed over Agawam, 14-25, 25-15, 12-25, 25-22, 15-12.

Newton North advances to Saturday's state final to meet Natick.

“We’re lucky,” said Newton North coach Richard Barton. “Agawam took it to us in the first game... they passed, they blocked, they hit, they set... we played a little better in the second game, but not incredible, we’re just very lucky.”

In Game 2, Agawam (23-1) cooled off tremendously with the score being tight at the beginning and again in the middle. There were five stalemates during the game until the Brownies couldn't hold onto a lead (they were out four times 1-0, 12-11, 13-11, 13-12), which gave the Tigers their opportunity to pass and stay on top.

"The second game was tighter than I wanted it to be," said Agawam coach Pat Demers. "I think they started to play more down. I think maybe (Agawam) got... maybe a little bit more confident than they should have. They said they didn't, but that's what I saw."

The Brownies would bounce back in Game 3 with another bevy of kills led by senior Matt Roberts who tallied 16 of them on the night. Senior setter Zach Smith registered with 14 assists, 11 digs, and 5 kills, while sophomore setter Andy Schnepp had 10 assists, 9 digs, and 3 kills.

Newton North setter, Konst Dimov has only been setting for two months as the senior transitioned over from being a middle hitter to the starting setter.

“Our team really needed a setter and my coach came up to me at the beginning of the year and he was like, ‘Do you wanna set this year? Do you want me to teach you,’ and I said OK... Now I like it a lot,” said Dimov who finished with 24 assists.

Asked about the rematch against Natick on Saturday, Dimov said, “I’m pumped you have no idea. We wanted Natick... They beat us twice this year, but we think we can match to them."

Idan Levy led the Tigers with 16 kills and Zach Pepper-Cunningham collected 7.

Game 5 was do or die for both squads. After the score was deadlock at 8, Newton North took control and ran away with it. After a 4-0 run, there was no looking back. The Brownies threatened at the end making it as close as 14-12, but Newton North got the final point to seal the win.

This was Agawam's third trip to the state semifinals in six years in its ninth year as a program. In 2002, they faced Marlboro and, in 2003, it was St. John's Prep. All three times they lost and have never moved onto the state finals.