TIVERTON — In a showdown of top Division III volleyball seeds, Tiverton wore down a talented Johnston squad 3-1 Saturday evening to win its first state championship since 1998.

Coach Kerri Russo’s squad, the #1 south seed with a 13-2 regular season record, started out in promising fashion, taking the first game by a 25-19 score. Jacqueline Tosi provided the opening momentum, taking her first four service points to start the game. That was most of the difference as the teams traded points through the rest of the game.

Johnston, the #1 north seed sporting a 13-1 record, quickly found its focus, winning the second game 25-20 and knotting the score at a victory apiece. Tiverton had led the game 12-6, but Johnston fought back, winning the game’s final five points.

The match’s most grueling game followed, with Tiverton outlasting Johnston 27-25 to take the pivotal third game and a 2-1 lead.

Tiverton twice led Johnston by as much as six points in the game but each time let the Panthers back. The game of momentum swings saw Johnston gain the lead on a couple of occasions — the Tigers twice had to defend against game points.

The fourth game seemed to promise more of the same high anxiety as the teams were tied through the first dozen points.

But the Tigers found a rhythm, helped by the steady setting of senior Amber Pavao and accurate hitting of Jessica Lubas among others. Lubas helped seal the win with a run of six straight service points.

This was the final game for Tiverton seniors Brianne Dopart, Chloe Galka, Tova Ibbotson, Amber Pavao, Jacqueline Tosi and Ana Wall.

The rest of the championship team members are Abby Arruda, Canika Bebe, Kayari Costa, Gabriella D’Eramo, Savannah Goss, Samantha Gosselin, Charlotte Guillemette, Chloe Higginbottom, Ayssa Laguerre, Jessica Lubasm Kate Marshall, Giavanna Mattera, Crystal Murray, Chandni Patel, Madison Pelletier, Emma Phillips, Kaytlyn Santos and Megan Vargas.