Scarborough volleyball wins gritty match against talented York squad
Scarborough Red Storm Sweep York Wildcats in Five‑Set Showdown
The Scarborough High School volleyball team capped its regular‑season campaign with a hard‑fought 5‑0 victory over the York High School Wildcats on Tuesday night in York, Maine. Scarborough won the match 25‑18, 20‑25, 21‑25, 25‑12, 15‑10, earning a 9‑4 record and moving into eighth place in the Varsity Maine poll.
“It was really nice to win a fifth set because we haven’t won a fifth set at all this year,” said Scarborough’s outside hitter Caleb Atwood, who finished with 18 kills and a single ace. The win was a rare fifth‑set triumph for the Red Storm, who had struggled to close out matches earlier in the season.
York, ranked fifth in the same poll, entered the match as the Class B runner‑up for the second straight year. The Wildcats, who are 9‑3 overall, have lost all of their five‑set matches against top teams, including the number‑one ranked Thornton and defending Class B champion Washington Academy. The game was the first of three regular‑season matchups for Scarborough, with upcoming games against Kennebunk on Thursday and the top‑ranked Thornton on Monday.
A Test of Momentum
The match began with both teams trading service errors and failed to find rhythm. The Wildcats took an early 3‑1 lead in the fourth game after a long rally that highlighted defensive digs from both sides. However, Scarborough seized the opportunity, winning nine of the next ten points to take the set and ultimately the match.
“It’s all in the momentum, and it’s very, very mental,” said York coach Deanna Martin. “As teams get runs and points, it’s very hard mentally as an athlete to respond to that, and it takes a lot of work to learn that skill.”
Scarborough’s coach Nicole Petherbridge praised the resilience of her players. “We end with a really difficult schedule. It could hurt us in the standings, but I think it’s preparing us to peak at the right time,” she said.
Key Performances
The game was a battle of individual talent in the early sets. In York’s second and third‑set wins, the Wildcats relied heavily on junior outside hitter Evie Martin, who notched seven kills in the second set. Scarborough’s Caleb Atwood dominated the early rallies, but it was his teammates who stepped up in the latter part of the contest. Middle hitters Lexi Cowie and Calli Juhring provided strong defense, with Cowie tallying three kills and a block point in the fifth game. Right‑side hitter Elena Pijunovic added eight kills across the match, while Ani Perkins delivered a mix of tips and hits that unsettled York’s defense.
Defensively, both teams showcased solid first‑pass play. Scarborough’s setter Natalie Philibert delivered consistently on‑target sets, allowing her attackers to capitalize on openings. York’s back‑row attack featured Elizah Roe’s three kills and Ava Walker’s five service aces, yet the team could not sustain the early momentum.
Service specialists also made a difference. Scarborough sophomore Sophy Jin, used primarily as a serving specialist, landed five service points in each of the last two games and recorded three aces. Another standout was Suzann Link, who finished the match with 11 points.
Season Outlook
With the win, Scarborough’s record improves to 8‑4, while York falls to 9‑3. The Red Storm will next face Kennebunk on Thursday before challenging the top‑ranked Thornton on Monday. Coach Petherbridge emphasized that the upcoming schedule will test the team’s endurance and mental fortitude.
The match’s five‑set length and the decisive comeback in the fourth game underscored the fine margins in high‑school volleyball. For Scarborough, the victory confirms the team's growth over the season, and for York, the loss adds another lesson in handling the mental swings that define the sport.
