MDI volleyball sweeps Wells, returns to Class C final
Maine State Championship in Reach as Mt. Desert Island Defeats Wells in Class C Final
Augusta, Oct. 28 – The Mt. Desert Island (MDI) Trojans secured their place in the state title game with a decisive 3‑0 win over the Wells Warriors in the Class C divisional championship held at Cony High School. The Trojans, who entered the game as the No. 3 seed and defending state champions, will face the winner of the other semifinal in the final on Saturday at Husson University in Bangor, where the game is scheduled for 1 p.m.
MDI finished the match with set scores of 25‑17, 25‑16 and 25‑16, each by a margin of eight points or more, and has never lost a set in the playoff run. Wells, the No. 7 seed, ended the season with a 5‑11 record. After trailing 24‑12, the Warriors managed a brief rally of four straight points, but the Trojans regained control on a powerful hit by senior outside hitter Janiece Anderson.
“It’s a relief because there was so much pressure to get back (to states),” senior libero Grace Sinclair said after the game. “We’ve trained all year for this and we’re ready.”
Coach Whitney Walls praised the team’s composure. “They’re confident. We’ve been training all year and they’ve been fired up and ready to go,” he said. “They keep it fun, they keep it loose. I think they play better when they’re having fun, and they do that as a team.”
MDI’s performance has been consistent. The team won five of its last six matches, including a 3‑2 win over Class D standout Narraguagus and a 3‑1 victory against rival Ellsworth. Their only defeat in the season was a narrow 3‑2 loss to Washington Academy, one of Maine’s top programs.
Last year, the Trojans captured the state championship with a 3‑1 victory over Gardiner. “Having that championship‑game experience gives us added confidence,” Anderson said. “We beat Gardiner last year and we split Ellsworth in the regular season… Either way, I’m confident in what we can do.”
Statistical leaders for MDI included Cora VanDongen with 11 kills and 9 digs, Janiece Anderson with 7 kills and 5 digs, and Grace Sinclair who tallied 10 digs and 4 aces.
The Wells Warriors, who beat Medomak Valley 3‑2 to reach the divisional final, played a spirited but ultimately short‑lived contest. They were able to keep the match close into the middle of each set before MDI’s momentum took over.
The Trojans’ victory at Cony High School sets the stage for a showdown with the other Class C semifinal winner. Whether the Trojans can replicate their championship form in Bangor remains to be seen, but their record in the playoffs and the experience of a prior title run give them a strong footing heading into the final.
