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, 15-12).

“It’s obviously such a great feeling,” said Franklin star outside hitter Makayla Kuykendall. “No team at Franklin has ever done this before. No matter what, we made history just by being here, let alone winning it.”

Kuykendall’s fingerprints were all over the pulse-pounding win for Franklin (23-2). She led the way with 19 kills and delivere

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