The Campbell High School girls volleyball team played a level above all season long.

But it caught up with them on Thursday night.

The Cougars, normally in Division III but this year in Division II for scheduling purposes, ran into powerful Gilford in the semifinals on Thursday night and fell 3-0.

Gilford, which had won three titles in five years going into theis fall, swept by set scores of 25-8, 25-8, 25-17.

“The score doesn’t tell the story of our loss,” Campbell coach Melissa Miner said. “Gilford is a strong team on offense and defense, but we didn’t get served off the court.

“We worked hard against them and made some great plays. In sets one and two, we couldn’t finish those great plays.”

That was different somewhat in the third set for the 9-5 Cougars, who said good-bye to talented seniors Tori Allen and Chloe Steiniger.

“In set three we buckled down,played a little harder, finished some great plays and fought for every point,” Miner said. “Unfortunately it wasn’t enough, but I couldn’t be more proud of these girls as they never gave up.”

Defending champion Gilford (10-1) will now host John Stark in Saturday’s finals. The Generals advanced to the title match when their semifinal opponent, St. Thomas, had to opt out due to virus concerns.

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