Hector Longo photo -- With teammate Izzy Unsworth waiting for the pass, Milford High's Peyton Schwab makes the save and sends the ball back. Milford fell to Coe-Brown in the Division II state title game on Saturday.

DERRY – The final day of the 2021 girls volleyball season was not kind to the local contingent here at Pinkerton Academy’s Hackler Gymnasium on Saturday.

Both Hollis Brookline in Division I and Milford High in Division II were swept away in their respective state championship matches, each forced to settle for the runner-up plaque.

Milford, the fourth seed in D-II, fell to Coe-Brown Northwood Academy by scores of 25-13, 25-18 and 25-17, ending its year at 16-4 under first-year head coach Haley Patch.

“We knew it was going to be hard. We were the underdogs coming in. We were the wild card. People weren’t sure what to expect. We hoped that would work in our favor, and it didn’t,” said Patch.

“(My team) really turned it up toward the end of the season, not just in the playoffs. We’ve been playing tremendous volleyball together.”

Milford just couldn’t get anything going, from the jump, falling behind 11-4 and 20-6 in the opening game and never really recovering.

“We definitely were prepared,” said Patch. “(Coe-Brown) is scrappy. They play with a lot of heart. They don’t let balls drop easily. They’re very well-coached, very well disciplined and we knew they weren’t going to make a lot of mistakes.”

The Spartans again took their swings, playing their best volleyball of the night in the second game. At one point, they pulled even at 16-16 behind some supreme net work from juniors Bailey Johnson and Alena Letendre.

“It’s definitely going to be so hard. Our seniors have led us with so much heart and wisdom. “During this playoff run, we had Alena and Bailey that really were stars for us and really stepped up when we needed them,” said

Patch. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll do next year as seniors for us.”

Unfortunately on Saturday night, Milford was just a bit outgunned, and CBNA rallied for the win in Game 2 then rolled in Game 3.

“This has been the most amazing journey, my first year as a varsity coach, and I’m really excited for many more seasons and opportunities with these girls,” said Patch. “I can’t wait for next year.”

The coach will have to fill the void of graduation with six seniors moving on.

In their own ways, each played a huge role all season long, especially in the recent 12-match win streak that ended in this final

“Madi (Murphy) is one of the hardest workers I know. She’s very hard on herself because she has such high expectations. She’s always going to give you her all,” said Patch. “Izzy (Unsworth) has been like the team MVP. Not only on the court has she led our team, giving her heart and her soul, but off the court, she’s just helping everyone to get better any way they can, and to fall in love with the game like she has.

“Ali (Fortin) makes us laugh. She keeps us laughing and light. She just keeps us grounded. Peyton (Schwab) is just a wonderful individual, great smile. She’s quiet, but she’s a force to be reckoned with.

“Stella (Crosby) plays with emotion, so much heart. She’s absolutely amazing. She cares so much about all of her teammates, about the program, about volleyball in general. I can’t say enough about that kid. Sofia (Freeman) has worked really, really hard, and she’s helped us in so many ways.”

In Division I, Bedford High completed its perfect season at 21-0 with a 25-16, 25-22, 25-20, win over Hollis Brookline. The Bulldogs earned their second straight championship. The second-seeded Cavaliers, who last won the title in 2018 at Bedford’s expense, finished the year at 19-3.

Meaghan Coutu led HB with 11 kills and two blocks. Lydia Daskalos had six blocks with three kills. Cheyenne Colbert pitched in four kills with three blocks, while Maia Schneider (11 digs) and Sophia Jordan (18 assists) delivered strong performances.

The Cavaliers had cruised into the title match with 3-0 wins over Exeter, Concord and No. 3 Windham along the way, before running into Bedford.

The Bulldogs put together one of the most dominant seasons in Granite State volleyball history, dropping just one set all season.