Franklin ends Newton North’s reign atop Div. 1

BILLERICA A mid-September loss to Attleboro ended up being the turning point for Franklin this season The Panthers never lost again and at the end of an -game winning streak was history for Franklin Fifth-seeded Franklin captured the project s first Division state title Saturday night when it roared back against three-time defending state champion Newton North in a five-set thriller to earn a - achievement - - - - - It s obviously such a great feeling stated Franklin star outside hitter Makayla Kuykendall No association at Franklin has ever done this before No matter what we made history just by being here let alone winning it Kuykendall s fingerprints were all over the pulse-pounding win for Franklin - She led the way with kills and delivered in the biggest moments None was bigger than her kill to seal the fifth and final set Kuykendall had her first chance at the game-winner blocked and turned into a point for No Newton North - Kuykendall commanded the ball again just moments later and smashed a perfectly placed shot into the near corner to send the Panthers into a wild celebration I just desired to end it Kuykendall explained I was confident in myself that I could get that last one for us You could hear me screaming Give me the ball I longed it so bad Literally this has been on my mind for the entire season Since August when we came in the gym it was like State championship we re winning that tournament Behind juniors Sasha Selivan and Nora Hamel Newton North bounced back from a resounding first-set defeat to take the next two frames One of Hamel s kills ended a second set in which neither side gained much separation Selivan s terrific all-around effort from setting up teammates to registering kills then put the Tigers on the brink of a four-peat with a third-set win But with senior Olivia Alberti coming alive with multiple kills and blocks Franklin held off Newton North to take the fourth set before racing out to a - lead in the final stanza We were victim enough in the fourth set to close that out and we had a really good start in the fifth set announced first-year Franklin head coach Chris Ridolfi That s the difference in the match right there And with strong underclassmen in Emerson Delleo Charlotte Yeulenski and Phoebe O Connor who all chipped in to dethrone the Tigers Franklin has plans of going on this incredible ride again in the future These guys built a legacy here that every other gang is going to chase now Ridolfi announced We have kids who were part of that legacy so that will help us chase it a little bit easier And then we ll just keep passing it on I hope