The Bears are happy to have the No. 1 seed. Winnisquam (18-0) didn’t play its best volleyball, but did what it needed to do, defeating the No. 4 Epping Blue Devils (15-4) in three sets, 25-18, 25-12, 25-13, in Wednesday’s Division III semifinal to set up a rematch of last year’s championship against the No. 3 Lakers from Inter-Lakes (16-3).
Winnisquam defeated Inter-Lakes in last year’s championship, 3-0.
“I think the girls are capable of playing better,” Bears head coach Mike Livernois said. “I think they know it. They played well enough to win a match against a team we were able to overpower. They did what they were supposed to do. That’s the advantage of securing a No. 1 seed.”
Winnisquam held the lead through the first and second sets without letting Epping cut into the advantage too much, but in the third set the Blue Devils took a 5-2 edge and forced the Bears to play from behind.
A solid five-point service run from senior Shannon Goodwin (15 kills, five digs, five aces) put the Bears on top to stay.
Junior Gabby Isabelle (12 kills, 15 digs), junior Olivia Dill (32 assists), senior Sarah Seymour (10 digs, three kills, two aces) and senior Aubrey St. Onge (seven digs) also played well for Winnisquam.
“Our offense presented a lot of problems for (Epping),” Livernois said. “We did a good job at that at times, but our passing wasn’t crisp, our movement wasn’t crisp. It was a little disjointed, but it was a long night.”
The reason for the long night was that the Bears, who played in the second semifinal match, arrived early to watch the first semifinal at Plymouth State and witnessed No. 3 Inter-Lakes come from behind to defeat No. 2 Farmington, 3-2. The Bears and Lakers are scheduled to square off for the title on Friday at Plymouth State University starting at 7 p.m.
“They serve well. They’re a scrappy team. Inter-Lakes was resilient (against Farmington). Inter-Lakes goes as Emma Wheeler goes,” said Livernois, referring to the Lakers’ top hitter, one of the best players in the division.
“Emma is a dominant hitter,” Livernois said. “You have to have a block on her and play good defense. If you don’t transition quickly enough she will put the ball by you. She can take over a match if you let her. We have to have good nights at the line and serve well. Inter-Lakes is a good team and we’re looking forward to it.”