Franklin’s girls volleyball program claimed its first state championship in dramatic fashion, beating three-time defending champion Newton North in a five-set final that tested poise, endurance, and clutch execution. The Panthers closed the regular season at 18-2 and earned the No. 5 seed before steadying through the bracket and reaching the title match.
Franklin seized the opening set, riding an 8-1 run to win 25-15, but Newton North rallied to take control in the middle stages. The Tigers claimed sets two and three, putting Franklin on the ropes and forcing a decisive fifth set. The Panthers summoned resilience and composure to edge the fourth set 25-23 and then relied on superstar Makayla Kuykendall to deliver the final point in the fifth, clinching the program’s first-ever state crown.
This breakthrough caps a period of sustained growth for Franklin volleyball and gives the program a landmark achievement to build on. Coaches credited the team’s depth, serving consistency, and mental toughness for the victory. Franklin now celebrates its first title in program history while setting the table for future success.
