13 November, 2014
The #8th ranked Hopkinton Hillers took on the #1 Ranked Notre Dame of Hingham Cougars at Canton High School in the State Semi-Finals. Hopkinton pulled off the sweep winning Game 1 (25-22), Game 2 (25-8), Game 3 (25-23). It was a good all around team effort by the Hillers who utilized their front line power and talented servers to take down the Cougars. Holly Adams led the scoring with 18 Kills and 10 aces, Hanna Engstrom also recorded 6 aces and 7 kills and Renee Cooprider had 25 assists.
Game 1 was back and fourth and their were multiple momentum shifts. At one point the game was tied 21-21 but the serving errors and good defense by the Hillers allowed them to secure the victory. In game 2 it was Hillers domination the whole way through as at one point the Hillers took a 12-3 lead and never looked back. Game 3 Notre Dame gave it their all to hang on to State-Championship hopes and fought back trailing midway through with a 12-7 run to make it a 24-23 game in favor of Hopkinton but Holly Adams was able to score the last point. A perfect set up from Cooprider allowed Adams to hit a downward flying smash that landed just before the backline. Holly Adams spoke to HCAM news after the game: "We worked really hard all season so we deserve it." "We're fired up and we are playing for Hopkinton."
Head Coach Margie Grabmeier after the victory: "This is an incredible feeling, I love this feeling." Grabmeier mentioned that many of the seniors on the team have been playing together for 3 years and the goal from Day 1 was to get to the State Finals."We have a powerhouse team with great defense, offensive weapons and a 3rd year varsity center and that's how you get this far you can't do it with just 1 or 2 players."
The State Finals will take place at Fitchburg High School Saturday November 15th at 3:00pm, Central Finalist Hopkinton (21-2) will take on North Finalist Weston, who swept West Finalist Minnechaug at Milford High School in the other state semi-final game.
To hear more of the interviews with Holly Adams, Head Coach Margie Grabmeier or to see the game winning score for the Hillers in the State-Semi Finals matchup view the videos.
Go Hillers!!!
