CHICOPEE – Just being in the Western Massachusetts Class B final was a win for the Belchertown girls volleyball team.
The No. 5 seeded Orioles fell 3-0 to No. 3 Paulo Freire on Sunday at Chicopee Comp, but it mattered much less than being there. Belchertown didn’t win a match last season and began this year on a five-match losing streak where it won just one set.
The Orioles upset both No. 4 Putnam and the top overall seed Wahconah on the road to even get to the final, their first appearance ever.
“Compared to the team that we had last year, we didn’t win a single game last year and to now be in Western Mass. finals, it’s insane,” Belchertown junior Paige Magner said. “To even be runners up, I don’t think half my team ever thought we’d make it.”
Belchertown (10-9) knew what to expect when it got there, though. The Panthers (21-0) haven’t lost a match in two seasons and won the Division 5 state title last year.
“We were very optimistic and super open,” Magner said. “Because as this has been going on, we’ve just been getting better and better and better.”
Paulo Freire won the first set 25-18, then Belchertown jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the second set. That stretched to 12-7 behind strong defense.
“Compared to last year, everyone was not communicating with each other. Everything was just so out of order,” Belchertown junior Ava Shea said. “We’re getting there and we finally are clicking.”
The Panthers roared back to take a 20-19 lead on a thunderous kill that ricocheted off a Belchertown dig and over onto their side of the net out of bounds. Belchertown survived two set points before Paulo Freire took the second set 25-21.
The Panthers opened Set 3 on an 8-0 run and built a 10-1 lead. The Orioles never rallied and fell 25-5 to end the match.
“Honestly, I was just happy to be here. Our expectations for this season were just exceeded and just being able to be here, upset a couple of teams before us and get here and hang for the most part,” Belchertown coach Melissa Gramuglia said. “I’m just proud of their efforts. They’ve really come a long way.”
Shea led the Orioles with three aces, while Jordyn Hunter had two kills and a block. Katie Collins pulled up eight digs.
And Belchertown’s run isn’t over. The Orioles are ranked No. 33 in the Division 3 power rankings but are guaranteed a spot in the tournament with a record above .500.
“We’ve had a little taste of what it’s like to be victorious,” Gramuglia said. “And we get to try it out again next week.”
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.