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Jaguars win first volleyball title

Saturday, November, 08 By Jeff Hamrick

DERRY — Windham's second chance at a state title proved straight-set easy.

One year after dropping the Division II championship tilt to Coe-Brown, the unbeaten and top-seeded Jaguars made light work of second-seeded Milford last night at Pinkerton Academy. It was the third time this season Windham toppled the division's second-best team.

The victory capped a dominating season for the Jags, who were taken to five games only once this year and posted 12 shutouts among their 20 victories. Windham dropped two games to Milford while winning two regular-season games.

"I saw (we had a title contender) as soon as the girls walked into the gym at the beginning of the season," Windham coach Jill Bartlett said. "I knew it was possible because we had a lot of talent. When you project your depth chart, I wrote four deep at every position when I started. It was just a matter of getting the girls to play into their roles."

After breezing to three tournament wins, dropping only one game — to Coe-Brown in the semis, last night proved to be more difficult as Milford (16-3) put up game totals of 20, 24 and 21 points.

The Jaguars fought off the Spartans for a hard-fought, first-set victory that featured 10 ties and three lead changes. Windham didn't help its cause with 10 unforced errors that helped Milford open a 13-12 lead.

But holding a 21-19 lead, Katie Farrell's serve led to an ace and baffled the Spartans into two unforced errors on returns as Windham closed the set strong.

Milford rebounded to take an early seven-point lead in Game 2, but the veteran Jags battled back to eventually tie at 24 before taking its first lead of the game on the ensuing point.

"They have done that frequently during the season," Bartlett said. "They kind of lose their composure, and I think they use it as a motivational force. They responded very well tonight."

Windham used a 12-1 run to take a 16-11 lead in the third game, but once again Milford closed the gap by scoring the next four points.

"Our coach brought us in and said 'Girls, you keep doing your thing,' " said senior Ali Connors, who had a team-high four digs. "We were calm, cool and collected. That determination got us through."

Strong net play by Lexi Sawyer and Julie Sanders closed the door on any further Milford rallies.

"It means a lot to win," said the sophomore Sawyer, who had a game-high 15 kills. "I just wanted to do this for the seniors this year. Now we just have to try and win again next year."
 

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• Jaguars win first volleyball title