Treat yourself and watch Biddeford open its volleyball title defense

AL EDWARDS

Out of the Box

It’s true that football season is now upon us and many fans will flock to see the boys of the gridiron play tonight and tomorrow afternoon, but fans in the Biddeford area should also take the time and do something I am sure they will enjoy, and it doesn’t involve football.

The Biddeford Tigers volleyball team opens its season Saturday morning with a 10:30 match against Yarmouth at Biddeford High School.

Why should you go and cheer on the Biddeford Tigers volleyball team? Well, despite the fact that you should go to show your support for a local team, you will also get to see the defending Class A state champions open their title defense on their home court.

Last season the Biddeford squad rumbled its way to a stellar season winning the school’s first ever state volleyball championship. The Tigers had knocked on the door several times in the past six years, but couldn’t get over the hump as Greely dominated the volleyball landscape.

Last season Biddeford knocked off perennial power Greely at home and cruised to the state title.

Graduating seniors Keila Grigware and Alyssa Drapeau led that charge. Drapeau earned the Journal Tribune’s Volleyball Player of the Year while Grigware took home the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year Award.

Those will be some big shoes to fill, but don’t think that this year’s squad can’t fill those shoes.

Biddeford returns senior Renee Trottier. She is a senior setter and outside hitter who will be a force this year. She jumps into the captain’s role and has a ton of experience behind her.

Trottier worked hard during the offseason to improve her game as she played with a junior olympic team and Biddeford coach Ruth Shaw said Trottier’s game has improved a lot.

Katelyn Lebreux also is back in the lineup for the Tigers. The junior will step out of her defensive specialist role as she becomes an outside hitter. She played every second of every game last season. The Tigers will be counting on her to step up again this year.

Junior Autum Dube will return as the middle hitter. She has an improved hitting and passing game, according to Shaw, and may see more time in the back row as well as the front.

One player of particular interest this season will be sophomore Bailey Cote. She had a great season as a freshman and returns as a middle hitter. Although only a sophomore, she is the team’s strongest blocker and she has become stronger during the year and is hitting the ball harder than before, Shaw said.

“I look for her to make the difference for this team again this year,” Shaw said.

Last season the Tigers were a joy to watch as they dominated most of their matches.

The crowds were enthusiastic, large and supportive and the atmosphere at Biddeford High School on game day is only matched by playoff basketball games and football.

This year’s squad should once again bring fans to their feets while opponents fall at dizzying paces.

So, if you’re not too busy on Saturday, head down to Biddeford High School and be treated to one of the area’s great sports scenes. You won’t be disappointed.

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