BILLERICA — East Bridgewater bounced back after an opening set loss to claim a 3-1 victory over Bourne and win the MIAA Div. 4 state championship at Billerica High School. The Vikings’ 12-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-23 victory brought the program its first state championship in its six-year history.
Bourne had been seeking a second consecutive title after winning the Div. 5 championship the prior season. The Canalmen made quick work of the first set with good communication that set them up for success. Nola Timo delivered two powerhouse kills to help lead Bourne to a 25-12 set win.
Vikings head coach Andrew Macdonald said that the team refocused itself after this initial setback. “We’re a type of team that wants a scrap the entire match,” said Macdonald. “Keep your composure, it’s just one set, there’s plenty of volleyball to be played. Let’s get into a rhythm and go from there.”
East Bridgewater started strong in the second set. Serves by Elizabeth Delcarmen, the daughter of former Boston Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen, gave them a solid foundation to build their plays on, helping the Vikings take the lead. Although Bourne battled back, East Bridgewater was able to hold on and claim the 25-21 set victory.
Going into the third set tied at one set apiece, East Bridgewater kept the energy high. Bourne stayed close, never letting the Vikings get too far ahead. Despite this pressure, the Canalmen couldn’t secure another set victory, as East Bridgewater pulled ahead with a convincing 25-14 third set win to take a 2-1 lead.
The fourth set turned into a back-and-forth battle. Bourne surged ahead to a 16-8 lead, but East Bridgewater stormed back, cutting the deficit to 21-20. The Vikings then gained a slight advantage, and a strong kill from Miley Sweeney sealed the victory for East Bridgewater.
“It feels surreal right now, it’s hard to believe,” said Coach Macdonald. “I knew they had it in them, but to actually get all the way here and then beat a team like that in the state finals is just something unbelievable.”
https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/15/east-bridgewater-takes-down-bourne-to-win-div-4-title/
