Franklin rallies past defending champs Newton North for D-I title

Franklin rallies past defending champs Newton North for D-I title

BILLERICA— The first serve may not have gotten hit until after 8 p.m., but the No. 5 Franklin High School Volleyball team had been ready for the moment for months. Ever since head coach Chris Ridolfi met the team for the first time earlier in the year, the goal was to win the finals.

Franklin ends Newton North’s reign atop Div. 1

BILLERICA — A mid-September loss to Attleboro ended up being the turning point for Franklin this season. The Panthers never lost again, and at the end of an 18-game winning streak was history for Franklin. Fifth-seeded Franklin captured the program’s first Division 1 state title Saturday night when it roared back against three-time defending state champion Newton North in a five-set thriller to earn a 3-2 victory (25-15, 25-27, 19-25, 25-23, 15-…