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It had been three long years since the Poolesville girls volleyball team last walked off the floor at the University of Maryland's Ritchie Coliseum, that following a 3-0 loss to Williamsport in the Class 1A state final.

But fortunes were reversed Friday: The Falcons (19-0) overpowered South Region champion Glenelg (10-10) of Howard County, 25-6, 25-7, 25-13, to capture their first state title.

"Freshman year, I remember we wanted it really bad," said senior middle blocker Chelsea Glowacki, who finished with seven kills and two blocks. "Once we lost, we knew we were going to be here senior year and we were going to dominate."

As the Falcons (19-0) celebrated outside their locker room with hugs, shrieks and chants of "F-R-A-N" in honor of their head coach, Fran Duvall, Glowacki knew exactly how they were going to celebrate.

"We are going back on the bus and probably going to sing: ‘Don't Stop Believin' by Journey the whole way to [Cugini's]," said Glowacki. "We sang it as freshmen and we are singing it as seniors."

After a disappointing playoff exit in 2007, Poolesville returned seven seniors: Christina Hanson, Megan Kenneweg, Celi Blanc, Jenny Better, Tori Kirkpatrick, Jessica Chittenden and Glowacki. They dedicated the season to making sure they would not finish their careers with an empty trophy case.

"It feels awesome," said Blanc, who recorded 11 kills to lead the Falcons. "It's great to know we completed our team goals that we do at team camp. It's so amazing to start with a bunch of these girls and finish. We are a family. I love them so much."

Added Better, who notched 27 assists: "Coming from freshman year and losing in three games to winning in three, it's a huge accomplishment. We came in positive and we definitely pushed everything we had."

The Falcons, who dropped only one game all year, entered the match with plenty of confidence and set the tone from the opening serve. They won nine of the first 10 points and 13 of the final 14 in game one, much to the delight of 500 fans clad in black.

"I was flipping out because I didn't expect that many, but they were there," said Duvall. "They had signs, and it was pretty cool. Our mascot came, the Falcon. It's a little creepy."

Added Glowacki: "It's kind of hard to focus in that kind of atmosphere because we are told not to look into the stands and don't get distracted. But we told so many people to come and they just to supported and pumped us up."

Poolesville (35 kills, five errors) hit a blistering .390 for the match while holding the Gladiators (15 kills, 17 errors) to a negative percentage.

Duvall, who is in her 31st year coaching, has compiled a 137-61 record during her 12-season tenure at Poolesville. The victory earned Duvall just her second championship, despite several opportunities in the past.

"It's not as big of a deal to me as it is to them," said Duvall, who also won the 1992 WCAC title at Pallotti. "These kids have worked really hard for four years. …

"This year they really had a singular purpose. When you have that many people all on the same page — especially teenage girls — that's a testament to them and I'm not saying they didn't have their little snits and snaps, but they were able to put it in perspective and understand that this is more important."

Despite losing the seven seniors, the Falcons will be a formidable defending champ. Sophomore libero Paige Sekerak and junior Kelly Rosenberg will look to lead a young team in 2009.