In Vermont, USA, Essex High School made history as both the boys and girls volleyball teams captured state championships in the same season for the first time ever.
For the boys’ team, it was a long-awaited breakthrough after five previous final appearances without a title. This year, powered by a senior-heavy lineup featuring nine graduates, the Hornets completed a flawless 16–0 season. Essex clinched its first-ever boys volleyball championship with a 3–1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-15, 25-22) victory over Mount Mansfield.
Senior trio Coen Giles, Patrick Jordan, and Evan Hughes led the team through the decisive sets. Giles, who switched from setter to outside hitter this season, delivered more than a dozen kills and earned MVP chants from the Essex fans.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said co-head coach Gary Randall. “This is a great group of guys — all nine seniors played their part.”
On the girls’ side, Essex continued its incredible run of dominance, capturing a fifth consecutive Division I title with a straight-sets victory (26-24, 25-11, 25-21) over BFA-St. Albans. The Hornets extended their winning streak to 86 matches, with seniors Hannah Knickerbocker and Reese Gregory closing their high school careers undefeated.
“Even though we have a good winning streak, it doesn’t mean we don’t deserve it,” said Knickerbocker. “We work hard every single day at practice.”
Head coach Jen Liguori praised her senior group: “They’ve been the backbone of the team — their leadership really paid off with amazing chemistry this season.”
Meanwhile, in Division II, Middlebury High School also celebrated a milestone, winning its first-ever girls volleyball championship after sweeping Enosburg 3–0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-21).
It marked a perfect finish to a historic weekend for Vermont school volleyball — and a double triumph that will be long remembered in Essex’s sporting history.
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