Scarborough volleyball storms into Class A final
Scarborough Volleyball Surges Past Top‑Seeded Cheverus/Waynflete, 3‑0, to Reach State Final
SANFORD – In a decisive Class A semifinal held at Sanford High School, the Scarborough Red Storm knocked out the top‑seeded Cheverus/Waynflete Stags, 3‑0, in straight sets (25‑21, 25‑20, 25‑12). The win sends the Red Storm to the Maine State volleyball final, their first appearance since 2023.
The Red Storm, coached by Nicole Petherbridge, turned the tables on last‑season’s heartbreak when the same team was defeated by the number‑one seed in the semifinals. Petherbridge, who described that loss as a “crappy feeling,” was jubilant after watching her squad play a “sparkling all‑around game” that earned them a spot in the final.
“We executed on a lot of the things we’ve been working on all season,” Petherbridge said after the match. “We moved the ball around really well. Everyone was involved in that win… It came together really nicely.”
A key to Scarborough’s success was a dominant senior hitter, Caleb Atwood, who produced a season‑high 12 kills (seven in the first set, five in each of the next two). “I just like to take a deep breath after each point, especially a long rally, and think it’s not really as deep as it really is,” Atwood said. “I felt really good about this match. I felt like I was playing at my best.”
The Red Storm’s offense was a collective effort. Calli Juhring and Lexi Cowie each added 10 kills, while the team’s middle hitters were used more frequently in the later sets. “At the end of the second and third sets, we started running the middles a lot, which I think was a good idea,” Juhring noted. “All throughout our season, we haven’t been able to do that much. (And) our defense was just so good, to the point where we could run all of our offense and we could put all of our balls down.”
Defensive specialist Suzann Link was a quiet force on both ends of the court. Petherbridge praised her composure and skill. “Suzann is one of our consummate team players,” she said. “She’s staying calm under pressure, she picks up balls that other people wouldn’t imagine getting to. … It makes our offense able to run.”
Cheverus/Waynflete, coached by Gary Powers, struggled with nerves throughout the match. “We started playing safe and playing scared,” Powers admitted. “You can’t do that. You have to play to win.” Despite the loss, Powers highlighted the program’s progress. “This is the best we’ve ever done,” he said. “The program keeps moving up. That was my goal.”
The Stags’ leading hitters, Frida Gray and Dylan Walker, combined for 12 kills (seven and five, respectively). Cheverus’ overall performance fell short against the Red Storm’s balanced attack.
An injury sidelined Scarborough’s Elena Pijunovic, who had contributed three kills before leaving the court late in the third set. Petherbridge had no update on her status for Saturday’s final.
The Red Storm’s victory over the defending champions marks the first time the Scarborough volleyball program has reached the state final since 2023, setting the stage for a high‑stakes showdown that will take place on Saturday.
