MURRYSVILLE — Freeport was seeking its second straight WPIAL Class AA volleyball title on Saturday.

Hopewell was just too much to handle.

The Vikings overwhelmed the Yellowjackets with length at the net and cruised to a 25-16, 25-20, 25-10 sweep at Franklin Regional High School for the program's sixth WPIAL championship.

“It feels great,” said Hopewell coach Terry Borkovic, whose team last won the title in 2007. “We were gone for a while, but we're back.”

Freeport looked out of sync from start to finish and Hopewell took advantage.

“It's one of those things where it wasn't the same team that I coached all year,” said Freeport coach Tom Phillips. “I don't know. Just the look in their eyes today — we didn't have it today. That's all I can say.”

Hopewell used a balanced attack with superior size to claim the title.

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Courtney Kress — 6-foot middle hitters who stand 3 inches taller than any Yellowjacket — combined for 24 kills and eight blocks. Freeport tallied only four blocks during the match.

“Against a team like Hopewell — with the size they have — you have to slow the ball down at the net,” said Phillips. “If you're not going to do that, it's going to be like shooting fish in a barrel.”

Hopewell, which lost just one game in four matches during the WPIAL playoffs, jumped out to a 6-1 advantage in Game 1 and never looked back.

“Obviously, we were very flat. I don't know if we were flabbergasted by their size or what,” said Phillips. “It was not a very good effort today. You can't play against a team like Hopewell if you're not going to play to their level.”

Freeport was more competitive in Game 2. The Yellowjackets were within three late at 19-16, but Hopewell claimed six of the final seven points to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

“It's huge,” said Borkovic of the Game 2 win. “If you don't take that one, it's anyone's game.”

“All year long, we've played hard and stepped up and played when we've had to,” said Phillips, “especially when we're down a game.”

The Vikings held a 6-4 edge in Game 3, before exploding on a 17-4 run, and closed out the match.

Hopewell will square off with District 10 runner-up General McLane Tuesday at North Allegheny High School in the first round of the PIAA Class AA tournament.

Freeport will look to rebound against City League champion Westinghouse at Brashear High School on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

“You've just got to put this behind you,” said Phillips. “You've got to use this as a learning experience, move on, come out Tuesday and play hard.”

Phillips believes his young and talented Yellowjackets will soak in Saturday's disappointment and bounce back with authority against Westinghouse.

“Every time you go though something like this, you have to learn something,” said the Freeport coach. “Hopefully, these young girls learn that feeling. It's not a good feeling to have. It'll definitely be a game-changer for us for Monday at practice.”

Ashley Sample and Lauren Frazetta led the Yellowjackets with six kills apiece, while Taylor Schrecengost added five. Lynsey Gugino posted 20 assists, three kills and an ace.

“The big thing is, we've had a great year,” Phillips added. “I'm very proud of these girls, I really am. They're a young group with a lot of ability.”

Walker-Kimbrough led the Vikings with 14 kills, Kress recorded 10 and Isabella Vavrek had six. Monet Smith tallied 32 assists for Hopewell.

Notes: Freeport defeated Hopewell in the WPIAL semifinals in 2010 and quarterfinals in 2009. ... Freeport has finished in the top two of the WPIAL the past three seasons.