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GORHAM — They were the last two teams standing in Class A last year. Thursday night provided every reason to think that will be true for the Gorham and Thornton Academy volleyball teams again this season.

A rematch of last year’s state title match went Gorham’s way by the slimmest of margins, with the three-time defending champions needing to prevail in a fifth set to eke out a 3-2 victory over the Golden Trojans.

“This has definitely been a game that we have been thinking about for a very long time,” said senior middle hitter Abigail Stevens, who had three of her seven kills in the final set, including the clinching point. “We’ve been preparing for it. We knew this was probably going to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest games we have this season.”

While Gorham had the upper hand throughout a 3-1 win when the teams met for the Gold Ball in November, Thursday’s matchup was played dead even. Gorham lost the first set 25-19, took the next two 25-16 and 26-24, then bounced back from a 25-20 loss in the fourth with a 15-10 victory in the decisive fifth, breaking a 10-all tie with five straight points to wrap up the match.

“Overall, I think we played well,” said Trojans coach Kayla Arthers. “Yes, it is very disappointing, but we have nothing to hang our heads on. They played well, and we’re just excited to see them again in a couple of weeks.”

• After Gorham got within a point at 19-18 in the first set, Ece Eruygun had two aces and Sophie von Meyer, Ryleigh Light and Lotus Porter had kills to help Thornton close out the win.

• Sophie MacIsaac had five kills and Luna Button had four as Gorham bounced back in the second. Two-time Varsity Maine Player of the Year Liana Edwards, a University of Rhode Island commit who had only one kill through the first two sets, took over with six in the third to put the Rams ahead after an early 10-4 hole.

• Thornton scored 11 of 12 points to turn a 5-1 deficit into a 12-6 lead before winning the fourth set. The Trojans escaped a 7-1 hole to pull even at 10 in the fifth set, but Edwards had two aces as Gorham notched the final five points.

There were no trophies awaiting the winner this time, but it felt as if a bit more was on the line as leads changed hands and a fired-up crowd cheered on players going all out to pull out points.

“Skill-wise, I think we’re both pretty similar. There are girls on both teams who play club volleyball, I’ve played some of the girls on the other team before,” Edwards said. “Everyone’s out there to win, everyone’s so serious about this sport.”

Gorham coach Emma Tirrell credited senior Jordyn Fotter, a defensive specialist, with keeping the Rams’ service game on track as the match got tighter.

“She kept serves in when other players wouldn’t have,” Tirrell said. “She really kept the momentum going and owned her role and valued her role on the court.”

• Gorham — Liana Edwards (10 kills, three aces), Luna Button (10 kills, two aces), Sophie MacIsaac (10 kills), Abigail Stevens (seven kills, two aces), Emily McLean (five aces).

• Thornton Academy — Sophie von Meyer (12 kills), Ryleigh Light (nine kills), Ruby Anderson, Lotus Porter (eight kills apiece).

• “The girls are disappointed, but I think they can see that we can hang around and hang with a team that is a three-time state champion.” — Kayla Arthers

• “This is not something we’re not used to. We’ve had state championship rematches early in the season, and honestly, I love it. I want to play the best teams all the time.” — Emma Tirrell.