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The Central Catholic volleyball team went to the Hall of Fame Classic in Springfield and finished seventh out of 24 teams. The Raiders came in third in a morning pool of games and second in an afternoon pool, a highlight being a split with perennial power Newton North. Olivia Hall and Olivia Thomas-Roy had big days for Central, which lost in the silver medal playoffs.

WORCESTER — After sharing a warm embrace with her teammates, and a hug with her father, Andover’s Ally Fazio looked around and yelled the words on every Golden Warrior’s minds. “Pinch me because I must be dreaming,” he said. For the third straight season, it was a reality for Andover, as the Golden Warriors turned a two-point halftime deficit into an 11-point lead after three quarters on the way to clinching their third consecutive Division 1 state title with a 61-45 victory over Holyoke last night. “We made history,” said forward Rebecca Alois. “We made history and I am so proud of everyone.” With the win, the Golden Warriors became just the second team in the 36-year history of the Division 1 tournament to three-peat as state champs, matching Haverhill’s record (1994-96). “I walked off the court and I couldn’t hold back the tears,” said forward Jackie Alois. “I looked at everyone and just hugged them as hard as I could. It cannot get any better than this.” It literally could not have finished any better for the Golden Warriors. The victory iced Andover’s undefeated 27-0 season, the first in program history. They lost just once on the way to the title last season. “This was an absolutely perfect season,” said star forward Nicole Boudreau. “Undefeated state champs, nothing is better. This really was a flawless season.” The Golden Warriors arrived at the DCU Center hours before the game, watching the early contests while focusing on their goal. “We were ready to play,” said guard Devon Caveney. “We wanted this three-peat so badly. We were not going to accept anything less.” But the game didn’t start in perfect fashion for Andover, which struggled from the floor in the first half, leading just 15-14 after a quarter and falling behind 27-25 at halftime. Jackie Alois said, “At halftime we looked at each other and said, ‘This is ours.’ It gave me shivers. We came out with so much fire.” And Boudreau, like any great shooter, was far from discouraged by a few struggles. “We started a little slow,” said Boudreau, who scored a game-high 31 points. “We didn’t hit some shots we normally do in the first half. But we kept telling ourselves, ‘Keep shooting, they’ll drop.’ And eventually they did.” After going scoreless through the first 3:24 of the third, the Golden Warriors surged to a 16-3 run to finish off the quarter, capped by Fazio grabbing a steal and knocking down a 3-pointer from the top of the key. “At the end of the third when Ally hit the 3-pointer we all went crazy,” said Rebecca Alois. “Then, when Nicole hit the four-point play early in the fourth I really knew it was going to happen.” Boudreau opened the fourth with a pair of buckets, then all but clinched the victory, sinking an NBA-range 3-pointer while being knocked to the ground. She added the free throw that dashed any hopes that still lingered for Holyoke. “I just tried to take everything in,” said Caveney, who scored nine of her 13 points in the second half. “It was just unforgettable. What an amazing ride.” As the final moments ticked away, Boudreau and Fazio were each subbed out of the game, the two four-year starters receiving a loud ovation from the crowd and hugs from friends and coach Jim Tildsley. “I have no words to describe the feeling,” said Fazio, who scored nine points. “Late in the fourth it just clicked it was going to happen It was an amazing moment.” Following the victory, the Golden Warriors once again stormed the court, players toppling over one another in excitement. “It’s hard to know I’m not going to be with this team next year,” said Boudreau. “I don’t know if it’s all sunk in just yet. It will soon. But this is the best way it could end.” Even though it was a third title in three years, the feeling wasn’t any less emotional for the Golden Warriors. “To win once is great,” said Fazio. “To win twice is awesome. But to win three times is unbelievable. I will never forget this. I will never forget this my entire life.”

The Haverhill boys volleyball team took top honors yesterday at the highly regarded Holyoke Hall of Fame Classic.

Playing against some of the best compettition in New England, including the defending Mass. and Rhode Island state champions, the Hillies won their last five matches to grab the title, defeating Newton South in straight games in the championship match.