SCARBOROUGH — Too many offensive options, too much depth and as it turned out, better-than-advertised defense, too.

That pretty much sums up why Scarborough High’s volleyball team will be in the Class A state final for the fourth time in five years after Wednesday night’s convincing 25-19, 25-17, 25-17 Class A semifinal win against third-seeded Biddeford.

After overcoming a self-induced 5-0 deficit in the first game, Scarborough shuttled its offense through a variety of players, but never forgot its best option – 6-foot sophomore Asia Mattress. The Red Storm matched the Tigers’ scrappiness on defense.

“I think once we stopped getting nervous and just played our game we came out strong,” Mattress said. “We’re confident in our teammates and we trust each other to make good plays.”

Second-seeded Scarborough (14-2) will face fifth-ranked South Portland (10-6) in the state final at 7 p.m. Friday at Deering High.

South Portland beat top-seeded Deering in three games in Wednesday’s other semifinal. Scarborough defeated South Portland late in the regular season in three games.

The Red Storm won the 2015 state title, losing last season to Greely, which now is in Class B.

Biddeford finished the season with a 12-4 record, with two losses to Scarborough.

“Offensively, they’re a better team than us,” said Biddeford Coach Chantel Tourigny. “We kept with it but (Scarborough is) a very good team. They deserve to be where they are.”

Mattress led the Red Storm with 13 kills, two blocks and four aces. In the second game, she dominated early with six kills as Scarborough roared to a 14-6 lead.

Setters Ivy DiBiase and her freshman backup Mayne Gwyer spread the offense; six players had a kill, including three from senior reserve Jamiyae Mattress.

To further emphasize Scarborough’s depth advantage, Coach Jon Roberts inserted junior Katie Shaw, who had not played in the first two games. Shaw served Scarborough to a 4-0 lead and added three kills of her own.

Down 14-6 in the third game, Biddeford cut the lead to 20-17, sparked by a strong cross-court kill by Grace Boisvert and two kills from Grace Martin (6 kills).

Scarborough finished the victory with a flurry. Shaw put down a left-handed tip, 5-foot-11 Natalie Simonton (6 kills) had two kills and Asia Mattress served the match-winning ace.

“Biddeford was tough and they went on some runs, and I was just proud of my kids for not getting down and being able to work through it,” Roberts said.

Scarborough had only three service errors.

“One of our main focuses the whole season is just getting the serves in,” said Caelyn Sheil. “It just helps our team so much. Missing your serves is just giving away free points.”

Steve Craig can be reached at 791-6413 or:

scraig@pressherald.com

Twitter: SteveCCraig

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