Vikings Volleyball falls to Bourne
For the first time in over 30 years, the Wareham High School girls' volleyball team made it to the state tournament. However, a loss to Bourne High School Saturday night ended their historic season.
Wareham lost three of the four games it played against Bourne in the best-of-5 Saturday matchup. The Vikings had faced the Canalmen twice in the regular season, with one win and one loss.
Coach Rachael Hellyar said she would have preferred if the team had been up against a team outside of the conference so they could have taken on someone new, but added that there was the benefit of already having played Bourne twice this season.
Though the game was tough, Hellyar said she's proud of her team, especially the girls' performance during their winning first game on Saturday, where she'd "never seen them play better."
"We had a great season," she said. "There's nothing to be disappointed about. We fought hard."
The team's goal of the season was to make it to the state tournament and they achieved that goal.
Though Bourne hosted Saturday's match, the Vikings were well represented in the stands. Competing chants from fans of both teams echoed in Bourne's gym for most of the evening.
Selectman Steve Holmes was among those in the stands and said it was great to see the number of people who came out to support the team.
"We should be very proud of the girls," Holmes said after the game.
Hellyar has been coaching the current seniors on the team since they were sophomores. She said it is sad to see the seven of them go.
"I appreciate all they've given to the team," Hellyar said.
She added that next year will be a "rebuilding" year, but knows the team will be all right.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg," Hellyar said.