FALMOUTH — Outside hitter Riley Burfeind and setter Megan Tammaro powered second-ranked Falmouth over seventh-seeded Biddeford in a Class A volleyball quarterfinal Saturday, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22.

Biddeford (7-8) played tougher than a seventh-ranked team, taking a nine-point lead early in the second set off Kayla Fournier’s strong serves, then led for much of the third set.

But Falmouth, (13-2) seeking its first Class A state title, combined strong serving and powerful hitting at the net by Burfeind and Ally Hickey to secure the win.

“When we called a timeout (in the second set) we put the game in perspective and told ourselves to stop moping,” Burfeind said.

“That was a great set. We stayed confident and motivated. We definitely feel we have the makings of a great team.”

The Yachtsmen will be home Wednesday in the semifinals against sixth-seeded Cape Elizabeth (13-2).

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Falmouth Coach Gary Powers feels good about his team’s chances.

“They were putting down huge blocks. And (Tammaro) was setting perfectly,” Powers said. “This is her first year setting. The setter never gets any glory but she’s running the court now.”

After the Yachtsmen took a 9-4 lead in the first set, Biddeford rallied to make it 12-12 before taking the lead.

But a huge Burfeind hit at the net turned the momentum back toward the Yachtsmen, and eight straight Julia Treadwell service points later, Falmouth was again leading, 23-17.

The Tigers closed to 24-21, but another huge Hickey hit at the net gave the Yachtsmen the first set.

In the second set, Biddeford took a nine-point lead on the strength of Fournier’s serving.

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But huge hits and blocks by Hickey, Burfeind and middle hitter Leigh Bernardy ended the rally.

Burfeind had three huge blocks after Falmouth tied it 12-12 to help the Yachtsmen build a 20-14 lead.

“We wanted a really strong start. We were working as hard as we could,” Fournier said of the Tigers’ upset attempt.

Bailey Cote of Biddeford said her team played as hard as it has all season.

“We had a different energy today. Every single person was working hard. We didn’t let any balls drop,” Cote said.

In the third set, the Yachtsmen didn’t let the Tigers lead by more than two at any point.

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For the Yachtsmen, who are looking to play in their second Class A state final, coming from behind and finishing games has become a matter of course this season.

“Volleyball is 90 percent mental and now even if we’re nine points down, we know we can come back,” said the 6-foot-1 Burfeind.

“We have a lot of height, we have a lot of confidence, we know we can beat the best teams. We are an athletic team and we’re very supportive of each other.”

Deirdre Fleming can be reached at 791-6452 or at: dfleming@pressherald.comTwitter: FlemingPph


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