Darien wins third straight CIAC state title, a win over Trumbull

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Darien celebrates its Class L boys volleyball championship after beating Trumbull 3-2, at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien celebrates its Class L boys volleyball championship after beating Trumbull 3-2, at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien's Trevor Herget, Jeff Nduati and Isaac McMullin hug after beating Trumbull 3-2, at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien's Bryce Ford during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien's Griffith Crouse during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Austin Ashby during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Austin Ashby during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien celebrates a point during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Jack Bhagirathy during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Brennan Cutter during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien's Bryce Ford during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien's Trevor Herget during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Carson Brunone during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Brennan Cutter during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Matthew Cherfane during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Carson Brunone during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Matthew Cherfane during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien's Trevor Herget during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Kiernan O'Sullivan during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Trumbull's Matthew Cherfane during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien's Thomas Herget during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien celebrates its Class L boys volleyball championship after beating Trumbull 3-2, at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

Darien coach Lori Larusso during the Class L boys volleyball championship between Trumbull and Darien at Newtown High School, Newtown on Thurasday, June 8, 2023.

NEWTOWN — Despite being on the verge of winning a third-straight state volleyball championship, Darien found itself in an unfamiliar situation in Thursday's Class L final vs. rival Trumbull: down not once, but twice.

The Blue Wave (26-0) had lost just one set this season and hadn't been gone to the fifth set since the 2019 Class L final.

In the end, it didn't matter, however. Behind a strong performance by senior Trevor Herget, the Blue Wave rallied to win the final two games and defeated Trumbull in five sets to win the Class L boys volleyball title at Newtown.

"We started talking how each point matter, rather than the outcome of the game," Herget recalled. "Ultimately, that won us the game."

Herget and his senior classmates end their careers with a third-straight state title, never losing a single match during their three years following the loss of their freshman year to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's so hard to explain," Herget said. (It's) just an amazing experience to be a part of this team and win your last game as a senior. It can't be put into words how these three seasons have been."

The win extends the Blue Wave's win streak to 76 games, which remains second-best in state history behind Staples' 101-game win streak set in 2010.

"It's definitely hard to keep the record going for super long," Herget said. "We’ll see how the next teams does next year. It will be exciting to see what they can do."

Despite losing to Darien three times this season, the Eagles weren't intimidated heading into the state final. They won the first set and rallied to win the third, putting themselves within one game from a massive upset.

"We just wanted to get after it and bring it and we definitely brought it today," Trumbull coach Nicole Trommelen said. "In the past, we had been close with them and then we just let them take over the game. We didn't allow them to do that today."

Trumbull's Brennan Cutter led the way for the Eagles with his emotional play. Cutter was so impressive, Darien's entire bench stood and applauded as he received his medal during the trophy ceremony.

"He played really well. It was hard to block him," Herget said. "...I am going to see him in a couple days because he is on my club team, but I respect him a lot. He is a great player."

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Trevor Herget, Darien: The BYU commit put the final stamp on an impressive high school career, winning his third straight state title and never losing a match.