​Even though the 2025-26 school year did not produce state champions among girls teams on the SouthCoast, it was full of history-making moments, deep playoff runs, and perfect regular seasons. The contenders for our 2025-26 Girls High School Team of the Year stood out on both the field and the court, making this a season to remember. The Standard-Times/SouthCoast invites you to vote for the 2025-26 Girls High School Team of the Year, with voting ending at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 19. The poll is located at the bottom of this page. Here is a closer look at each nominated team.
In a season marked by remarkable individual achievements, Lakers players Cece Levrault and Hannah Kurisack both surpassed 1,000 career points, underscoring the team’s balanced offensive attack. Apponequet won its fourth straight South Coast Conference Blue Division title and tied the school record with 24 wins, advancing to the state semifinals for the first time since 1999. In the MIAA Division 3 State Tournament, Apponequet reached the Final Four, where they suffered a 56-26 semifinal setback to Pittsfield. Their fine run culminated in a first-ever state finals appearance in 27 years, where they fell 5-1 to Case in the Div. 3 title game. The Lakers’ path to the finals followed a string of deep postseason appearances, including trips to the 2023 Elite 8, the 2024 Final 4, and the 2025 Elite 8.
On the softball diamond, Apponequet proved it was a serious contender once more. Kate Suneson came up with a clutch moment, sending a ball to centerfield as the Lakers advanced to the Elite 8 in the MIAA Division 3 Softball Tournament with a 3-0 victory over Nipmuc. After a perfect regular season that earned them the South Coast Conference championship, Old Rochester continued its strong tradition with another run to the Div. 3 Elite 8, cementing the Bulldogs’ status as a force within the division.
Tennis was another showcase of depth for Old Rochester, as the Bulldogs, both girls and boys teams, enjoyed a perfect season that highlighted the program’s exemplary consistency. Neva Matos of Old Rochester delivered a strong performance, returning a serve at Dartmouth High School and helping the Bulldogs secure a 4-1 win in that contest. The Spartans of Bishop Stang, meanwhile, enjoyed a flawless regular season in the Catholic Central League, and the team advanced to the Div. 2 Sweet 16, signaling a breakthrough year for the program.
Bishop Stang’s girls tennis team, led by Katherine Johnson, continued to make noise as the Blue Devils reached the Elite 8 for the first time in school history, marking a historic milestone for the program and signaling potential for even greater postseason success ahead. In lacrosse, Fairhaven celebrated a historic season, becoming the first team from the school to reach the Elite 8 in girls lacrosse after capturing the South Coast Conference championship and finishing with an impressive 17-win record. Fairhaven’s Madi Lewis highlighted the late-stage comeback in a 6-5 victory over rival Old Rochester, driving the team’s success and serving as a symbol of the program’s ascent.
The purpose of our Team of the Year features is to spotlight the remarkable achievements of local high school athletes and programs, recognizing the hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship that define high school sports in our region. Being named a nominee is an honor in itself, and we congratulate all the athletes who contributed to these memorable seasons. This story is a celebration of the community’s young athletes and their coaches, whose efforts brought pride to their schools and fans alike.
This article originally appeared in The Standard-Times. Cast your vote for the 2025-26 Stan Team of the Year and help highlight the best moments from a season rich in history and accomplishment.