Essex volleyball teams repeat as champions, Middlebury takes D2 girls title

The Essex boys volleyball team defeated Burlington to win their second consecutive state championship on Sunday in Colchester. The Comets swept the match, adding another title to their recent history.

Elliot Palm attributed the victory to long-standing team chemistry. He noted that he has known his setter, Rohan Rai, for ten years. Palm said the group has played together since they were young. He credited that teamwork with securing the win.

The Essex girls followed the boys by earning their sixth straight title. They defeated BFA-St. Albans in a five-set match. The Comets took the opening set 26-24. Essex won the second and third sets with scores of 25-19 and 25-23. BFA-St. Albans captured the fourth set 25-20, forcing a deciding fifth set. Essex closed out the match 19-17.

Riley Austin, the only senior on the Essex girls team, described the match as tense and unpredictable. She said the team felt anxious during the back-and-forth play. Austin stated that she trusted her teammates to finish the job.

Middlebury claimed the Division 2 girls title by beating Enosburg. The Tigers won their second consecutive championship in that division. Middlebury took the first two sets, 25-18 and 27-25. Enosburg responded by winning the next two sets, 25-21 and 25-20. The score tied, leading to a fifth set. Middlebury ended the game with an 8-3 run to win the final set 15-10.

Junior Adeline Ritter spoke about the team's approach during difficult moments. She said the players communicate and support one another when they are behind. Ritter emphasized that the team works together to overcome challenges. She noted that no single player can carry the entire load in a team sport.