The Gorham Girls Volleyball team faced off with (No. 1 seed) Biddeford and defeated the Tigers in three straight sets at the SMCC campus on Saturday, Nov. 2. In doing so the Rams repeated as state champs and brought home the gold ball.
A few highlights: Taylor Ernest had a nice save in the back and Laura Edwards set up Ava DeVinney who had a beautiful spike that could not be returned. Aces by Vanessa Walker, Natalie Smith, and Edwards all game long were a momentum shift anytime Biddeford tried to get close. Lauren Dunbar closed it out for the straight-set win to let the celebrations begin. It was a total team effort. After graduating ten seniors and having a key player out with an injury, the team was not exactly sure what to expect going into the new season.
Photo credit: Eric TirrellRams with a big play get the crowd into it.
Coach Tirrell shared, “Through hard work and dedication to each other, the girls really figured it out.” A turning point in the season was a tough game against Yarmouth, (‘23 Class B state champions) and a difficult game mid-season against Scarborough. Coach added, “We had a long conversation after that game (against Scarborough), on how we wanted to carry ourselves moving forward.”
Senior captains Natalie Smith and Vanessa Walker took matters into their own hands. Both Walker and Smith pushed the team to have a positive attitude and focus on the team’s goals; realizing their goals were attainable with only a few weeks away; one match at a time. With a light at the end of the tunnel, the Rams fought hard towards the end of the season, fighting through illnesses and sticking together no matter the obstacles.
Coach Tirrell remarked, “I’ve always carried a big roster and this year everyone on the bench was ready to step in if needed. We had a lot of role players to rely on, and I think that made our whole team feel supported. These are strong athletes who truly deserved what they got at the end.” The Gorham Volleyball team has made three consecutive appearances in the state championship with back-to-back wins, an amazing accomplishment.
Coach concluded, “At the beginning of the season, I think the girls thought this season was going to be an uphill battle, but by our 7th or 8th game, I think they could tell we could win it all. I’m so proud of them.”