Since their season-opening victory at Yarmouth, the Scarborough volleyball team has struggled.
“We haven’t had a win since that first match,” said coach Jody King. “We’re not putting things together. We might have a good service game or a good service receiving game, but we’re not putting it all together by having the good passing, the good setting and the good hitting all in one match. I think that boils down to being a young team.”
With a roster that includes five sophomores and a freshman, the Red Storm want to battle as hard as they can each match and gain experience throughout the season. They did just that last Monday when Scarborough traveled to Gorham (5-2).
The visitors didn’t go down easily, but in the end Rams middle hitter Morgan Carlson was just too much and Gorham won all three games, 25-12, 25-13 and 25-10.
“We served well, passed well and didn’t make that many errors,” said Rams coach Shari Chapman. “We have Morgan up at the net and she does a good job.”
Carlson, a six-foot senior, collected 11 kills in the match. Her intimidating spikes also allowed her to tip the ball over the net into unguarded territory as her opponents braced for the big slam.
Gorham went out to a quick 7-1 lead in the first game, but with Sabrina Christian serving, the Red Storm took the momentum back, demonstrating that they wouldn’t be rolled over.
Ashley Bayley and Elise Pierce each made nice digs for the visitors in the middle of the game, but those saves could not be converted into points. Then the Rams started to set up Carlson.
“We’re a shorter team,” said Bayley, “so we have to dig more and be ready for anything. We don’t have many blockers, maybe two, and they are not even that tall.”
Christian served well again in the second set, tying the score, 4-4, and then, after a pair of points lost to miscommunication by Gorham, Scarborough drew close at 17-13. But a Carlson tip and strong service by the Rams’ Deandra Guidi put the contest out of reach.
The hosts went out fast in the third game as well, but the set featured some excellent defense from Red Storm senior Kim Stoddard, who was diving to the floor even in the last few points.
“It was a great game and we’re high energy,” Bayley said. “Coach tells us, ‘No matter what, you keep positive and keep on going.'”
Scarborough will look to get back in the win column when they host Yarmouth (0-4) Thursday.
“I think we played well tonight,” said Red Storm junior Amy Crawford. “I just think we need to be more of a team and work on our skills more and focus.”
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