Savvy Saugus Silences Burroughs Brigade : High school volleyball: Centurions tune out boisterous Indian fans, win match in four games.

First, the 15 or so Burroughs High football players at the girls’ volleyball match Thursday night against Saugus fervidly chanted “Burroughs! Burroughs!” during a crucial timeout in game four.

Then a burly lineman-type led the rabid group in a spelling of B-U-R-R-O-U-G-H-S.

Next was a futile attempt to start a wave.

Finally, the group finished its timeout medley with an Atlanta Braves-style Tomahawk Chop chant.

Anything to inject intensity into the Indians’ volleyball team, or unnerve the Centurions.

What Burroughs could have really used a sudden influx of height, because the taller Centurions wore them down, 5-15, 15-13, 15-3, 15-12, in the Foothill League match.

“We didn’t want to show them that they were annoying,” said Saugus middle hitter Jennifer Phillips of the vocal Burroughs fans.

She needn’t have worried. The Centurions (5-0, 3-0 in league play) outscored Burroughs, 7-3, after the cacophonous timeout to finish the match.

“In some ways we got so excited we about set the ball out of the gym,” Burroughs Coach Linda Murphy said. “I like the fact that they want to come out and support the team. Unfortunately, they don’t know how to cheer sometimes, and I don’t have time to give them lessons.”

The rowdy fans notwithstanding, the match turned in game two.

Saugus, ranked third in Southern Section Division III, already was one game down to underdog Burroughs (8-2, 2-2) and trailed, 13-12, in the second game.

But after a Burroughs service error, Saugus scored three consecutive points on two Burroughs errors and a kill by Cindy Luby.

“We had a chance to win it,” Murphy said. “But when you’re one game apiece, you have to play a better third game.”

Saugus, in particular 5-foot-11 senior Lindsay Estes, dominated game three.

Estes had five of her team-high 11 kills and four blocks--three of them solo efforts against talented Burroughs sophomore Christy Russell.

Centurion sophomore Jennifer Phillips (5-11) and Amy Gillis (5-9 1/2) asserted their height advantage over the Burroughs front line.

“That was the all-time best match Jennifer has ever played,” Coach Bobbi Estes said.

Phillips had five kills and one block. Gillis, who started slowly, found a hitting groove and finished with eight kills. Setter Laura Wagoner had 36 assists.

Russell had a match-high 18 kills to lead Burroughs. Middle hitter Gina Punaro, who is 5-3 but compensates with an outstanding vertical leap and crafty hitting, had 10 kills.

“I think (Burroughs) is awesome,” Bobbi Estes said. “I had a pit in my stomach all day.”

Murphy was disappointed in the lost opportunity.

“We had a chance to earn one,” Murphy said. “We can’t wait for someone to make a mistake. You’ve got to earn it. But I still see a lot of positives.”