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DERRY — Windham's second chance at a state title proved straight-set easy.

One year after dropping the Division II championship tilt to Coe-Brown, the unbeaten and top-seeded Jaguars made light work of second-seeded Milford last night at Pinkerton Academy. It was the third time this season Windham toppled the division's second-best team.

The victory capped a dominating season for the Jags, who were taken to five games only once this year and posted 12 shutouts among their 20 victories. Windham dropped two games to Milford while winning two regular-season games.

"I saw (we had a title contender) as soon as the girls walked into the gym at the beginning of the season," Windham coach Jill Bartlett said. "I knew it was possible because we had a lot of talent. When you project your depth chart, I wrote four deep at every position when I started. It was just a matter of getting the girls to play into their roles."

After breezing to three tournament wins, dropping only one game — to Coe-Brown in the semis, last night proved to be more difficult as Milford (16-3) put up game totals of 20, 24 and 21 points.

The Jaguars fought off the Spartans for a hard-fought, first-set victory that featured 10 ties and three lead changes. Windham didn't help its cause with 10 unforced errors that helped Milford open a 13-12 lead.

But holding a 21-19 lead, Katie Farrell's serve led to an ace and baffled the Spartans into two unforced errors on returns as Windham closed the set strong.

Milford rebounded to take an early seven-point lead in Game 2, but the veteran Jags battled back to eventually tie at 24 before taking its first lead of the game on the ensuing point.

"They have done that frequently during the season," Bartlett said. "They kind of lose their composure, and I think they use it as a motivational force. They responded very well tonight."

Windham used a 12-1 run to take a 16-11 lead in the third game, but once again Milford closed the gap by scoring the next four points.

"Our coach brought us in and said 'Girls, you keep doing your thing,' " said senior Ali Connors, who had a team-high four digs. "We were calm, cool and collected. That determination got us through."

Strong net play by Lexi Sawyer and Julie Sanders closed the door on any further Milford rallies.

"It means a lot to win," said the sophomore Sawyer, who had a game-high 15 kills. "I just wanted to do this for the seniors this year. Now we just have to try and win again next year."  

DERRY — Windham's second chance at a state volleyball title proved straight-set easy.

One year after dropping the Division II championship tilt to Coe-Brown, the unbeaten and top-seeded Jaguars made light work of second-seeded Milford last night at Pinkerton Academy. It was the third time this season Windham toppled the division's second-best team.

The victory capped a dominating season for the Jags, who were taken to five games only once this year and posted 12 shutouts among their 19 victories. Windham dropped two games to Milford while winning two regular-season games.

"I saw (we had a title contender) as soon as the girls walked into the gym at the beginning of the season," Windham coach Jill Bartlett said. "I knew it was possible because we had a lot of talent. When you project your depth chart, I wrote four deep at every position when I started. It was just a matter of getting the girls to play into their roles."

After breezing to three tournament wins, dropping only one game — to Coe-Brown in the semis, last night proved to be more difficult as Milford (16-3) put up game totals of 20, 24 and 21 points.

The Jaguars fought off the Spartans for a hard-fought, first-set victory that featured 10 ties and three lead changes. Windham didn't help its cause with 10 unforced errors that helped Milford open a 13-12 lead.

But holding a 21-19 lead, Katie Farrell's serve led to an ace and baffled the Spartans into two unforced errors on returns as Windham closed the set strong.

Milford rebounded to take an early seven-point lead in Game 2, but the veteran Jags battled back to eventually tie at 24 before taking its first lead of the game on the ensuing point.

"They have done that frequently during the season," Bartlett said. "They kind of lose their composure, and I think they use it as a motivational force. They responded very well tonight."

Windham used a 12-1 run to take a 16-11 lead in the third game, but once again Milford closed the gap by scoring the next four points.

"Our coach brought us in and said 'Girls, you keep doing your thing,' " said senior Ali Connors, who had a team-high four digs. "We were calm, cool and collected. That determination got us through."

Strong net play by Lexi Sawyer and Julie Sanders closed the door on any further Milford rallies.

"It means a lot to win," said the sophomore Sawyer, who had a game-high 15 kills. "I just wanted to do this for the seniors this year. Now we just have to try and win again next year."

Lexi Sawyer and Emiline Sundman each set personal match-highs for kills. Sawyer had 17 and Sundman added 12.

Meanwhile, Hannah Scott's 39 assists also was a personal match-high.

Windham made it 17 straight, taking out Oyster River, 3-0, in the New Hampshire Division 2 volleyball opening round. Julie Sanders and Lexi Sawyer had six kills apiece to pace the quarterfinal-bound Jags.

Coach Jill Bartlett said Hannah Scott "was all over the court." She contributed 26 assists and 18 service points as Windham blanked Oyster River, 3-0, to complete a 16-0 regular season.

It took five games, but unbeaten Windham held off upset-minded Somersworth 3-2. Lexi Sawyer had 13 kills and

Sam Crichton contributed 21 digs.

Windham, trailing by 11 points in the first game, rallied for a 25-21 win and then outlasted Portsmouth 29-27 in the fourth game to wrap up a 3-1 victory in a showdown battle of unbeatens. Lexi Sawyer led in kills with 10 and had 15 service points for the Jaguars (8-0) while Hannah Scott had 25 assists and 19 service points.

Emiline Sundman notched five kills and four "game-changing" blocks to give Windham a victory in a battle of undefeateds, downing Milford 25-15, 24-26, 25-22, 25-21. Sam Crichton added 14 digs for the winners. Both teams entered the contest 6-0.