Sports
Joel Barlow Sweeps To Volleyball Title Over Granby In Class M Finals
The Falcons won the Class M crown for the second time in three years in straight sets over third-seeded Granby Memorial.
EAST HAVEN, CT — Joel Barlow entered Saturday's Class M volleyball finals at East Haven High School with one thing in mind: redemption.
After dropping the championship match 3-1 to RHAM in 2023, the Falcons were determined to get back to their winning ways, such as in 2022, when they swept Bristol Central in three straight sets.
In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, it was deja vu all over again. Senior co-captain Sofia Benitez slammed home a kill shot on match point, clinching a straight-set 3-0 victory over Granby Memorial.
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Game scores were 25-23, 25-16 and 25-17.
Most Valuable Player honors were accorded to senior setter Ella Anderson, who had 36 assists and 16 digs in the title match. Benitez recorded 16 digs and nine kills, while sophomore Mia Roberts contributed 16 kills.
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Fourth-seeded Barlow won the third championship in school history, also capturing the crown in 2018.
For Granby, the No. 3 seed, setter Olivia Teclaw had 17 assists and Sage Pycz registered seven kills.
The Bears were seeking their second state championship in as many appearances. They swept St. Joseph 3-0 10 years ago.
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