High school volleyball is growing in many parts of Maine
Washington Academy Defends Class B Volleyball Title in Nail‑Biting 3‑2 Win
East Machias, Maine – In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Washington Academy’s Raiders claimed their second straight Class B state championship with a 3‑2 victory over York on Saturday, November 1. The final set, decided by a 15‑13 score, saw Washington’s Avery Libby set the ball that sparked a rally leading to the decisive point. The Raiders’ win capped a season in which the program, under former coach Corey Schwinn, has become a touchstone for the sport in Downeast Maine.
A Season of Dominance
Washington Academy, a small school in East Machias, has become a powerhouse in Maine high‑school volleyball. The Raiders won the Class B title in 2024 and have now defended it in 2025. Schwinn, who coached the Raiders to both championships, described the program’s success as a blend of tradition and community involvement.
“We have open gyms for adults,” Schwinn said during a post‑game interview. “There seems to be a lot of interest in volleyball in all ages.” The Raiders’ open‑gym policy, along with robust junior‑high and club programs, has helped Washington nurture a pipeline of talent.
A key figure in the region’s volleyball history is Frances J. Plunkett Robinson, often called “the mother of volleyball in Downeast Maine.” Robinson, who introduced the sport to Washington County high schools and the University of Maine at Machias in the early 1970s, passed away in 2017 at age 82. Her legacy lives on in the thriving program at Washington Academy and in the countless players who credit her for bringing volleyball to the region.
Growing the Game
Maine’s high‑school volleyball scene has grown rapidly since the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) began sponsoring the sport in 1997. The MPA added a second class in 2010, a third in 2017, and a fourth in the fall of 2025. This season, 52 teams will compete statewide, a substantial increase from the program’s early days.
While the sport is deeply rooted in Washington and Hancock counties, and has spread to southern Maine’s York and Cumberland counties, it remains largely absent from central Maine. Kennebec County hosts only three varsity teams—Cony, Gardiner, and Messalonskee—and no schools in Somerset or Franklin counties currently offer a varsity program.
“I think schools that haven’t added volleyball are worried about numbers,” said Mike Bisson, the MPA executive director. “People worry about diluting their field hockey and soccer programs.” Smaller schools with limited enrollment can still field competitive volleyball teams because the sport requires only six players on the court. “Kids try it and like it. You don’t need huge numbers to play,” encouraged Chad Foye, athletic director of Messalonskee. “Schools are shrinking in central Maine, and some have entrenched teams in other sports.”
Despite these concerns, a handful of central‑Maine schools have embraced volleyball. Gardiner, for example, advanced to the Class C state title last season, while Messalonskee transformed its club program into a varsity team seven years ago and is now an active participant in the state tournament. In the fall, Gardiner celebrated a Class C semifinal victory over Wells on October 29, a triumph that underscored the program’s rapid rise.
Coaching Beyond the Court
Coaches across the state emphasize the importance of fostering volleyball at all levels, from youth leagues to college. Kalyn Stevens, who will take over Washington Academy’s program this season, recalled the influence of parents who played the sport. “I can’t tell you how many players I’ve had over the years tell me about their parents playing,” she said. “At Washington Academy, our junior‑high and club teams get interest started. Our culture has always been inclusive. We want to offer the opportunity to play for as many girls as possible.”
Schwinn has also hosted a summer volleyball camp in recent years, drawing teams from around Maine. The camp has become a platform for building connections across the state’s volleyball community. “It builds a connection between kids from different areas, and friendships are formed,” Schwinn noted. “My favorite thing about coaching is, I wanted to grow the sport.”
Holly Strout, who coached Narraguagus to the Class D title last year, reflected on the sport’s early days. “When I was in high school, it was just Downeast schools,” she recalled. “I’ve seen how far we’ve come.”
The Final Match
The championship game was a back‑and‑forth affair. York took an early lead, but Washington rallied to force a fifth set. The decisive point came in a tense 15‑13 final set, with Avery Libby setting a ball that led to a rally culminating in a winning spike for Washington. The Raiders’ victory secured a 3‑2 overall score.
“Seeing the kids play with that kind of intensity was amazing,” said coach Schwinn after the match. “They’ve worked hard all season, and they paid off on the biggest stage.”
The win also reaffirmed Washington’s dominance in Maine’s Class B volleyball. Three of the four state champions last year—Washington Academy, Mount Desert Island, and Narraguagus—were located in Washington or Hancock counties, illustrating the concentration of volleyball strength in the Downeast region.
Looking Ahead
As Maine’s high‑school volleyball landscape continues to evolve, the MPA’s expansion of classes and the growth of programs in central Maine signal a promising future. Coaches and administrators are calling for broader support and resources to encourage more schools to add volleyball, citing its accessibility and potential to enrich students’ athletic experience.
“We’re excited for the next season,” said Bisson. “The sport is thriving, and we want to keep it that way by giving every school the opportunity to participate.”
For Washington Academy, the championship is a testament to the program’s hard work and the region’s deep‑rooted love for the game. As new coaches step in and the sport spreads beyond its Downeast origins, Maine’s high‑school volleyball community stands poised to grow even further.
By Maine News Now
