DERRY, N.H. – Todd Royce wasn’t sure about how things would go for his Pinkerton Academy girls volleyball team this fall.
Although returning key starters such as co-captains Calli Miller and Kara Porter, Royce knew that all things would lead to how Pinkerton looked versus powerhouse Bedford High.
The Astros had their chance to finally defeat the N.H. volleball “Goliath” on Saturday morning, with its 100-game winning streak, in front of a near-capacity crowd at their home, Hackler Gymnasium.
Pinkerton lost 3-0 in their regular season meeting back in September.
After a back-and-forth first set, the No. 1 Bulldogs ultimately pulled away to take down No. 3 Pinkerton in a three-set sweep, winning the NHIAA Division 1 girls volleyball title once again.
“The girls worked their tails off every day, they left everything on the floor, and they never gave up throughout this entire season,” said Royce. “Instead of putting their head down and just saying it’s over, they kept pushing and fought as hard as they could.”
The home crowd advantage paid huge dividends early, as the Astros faithful kept Pinkerton in it every single play.
With the Pinkerton girls looking for their first volleyball state championship, ever, the Astros led early in the first set, and even after Bedford took the lead, Pinkerton continued to keep things close.
Led by 6-foot-2 net presence Aaliyah Gooden, the Astros had themselves tied at 20 apiece before Bedford ultimately pulled away, 25-23.
“We saw in that first set every single point matters, and Bedford was getting some of the little things to roll their way,” said Royce. “We continued to play our same game all throughout, it’s just the points fell a little bit differently.”
After the Bulldogs cruised to a 25-16 victory in the second set, Pinkerton was down, but not out.
The Astros had been in this situation before, trailing 2-0 versus Goffstown in the semifinals, before coming all the way back to punch their ticket in the championship versus Bedford.
Although the comeback looked to be on full display early in the third set, the Bulldogs were just too powerful up front, taking the set 25-17, and winning their fifth straight state title.
Despite falling one win away from a state title, Royce is well aware that this Pinkerton will go down in school history and won’t be forgotten, particularly the comeback win over No. 2 Goffstown in the semifinal on Thursday night
“This team will always be remembered for giving it their all, never stopped pursuing the ball, and was never out of any game,” said Royce. “No matter how impossible things looked, they were always taking off and running. That’s what special teams do.”
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