The Scots closed their schedule with a three-sets-to-none victory over the visiting Red Riots on Saturday morning, Oct. 17. Now 10-4, Bonny Eagle moves into the postseason ranked ninth, one slot behind Yarmouth (also 10-4) and one ahead of Cheverus (4-10).

“I think the cohesive nature of our team gave us the edge,” said Bonny Eagle head coach Kelley Champagne. “We did a great job of distributing the ball to all players throughout the match, making it difficult for South Portland to adjust to any one player.”

Saturday’s match went cleanly to the Scots, who took the first set 25-13. South Portland head coach Nicole McAllister described the action from her perspective:

“Our game started strong,” she said. “However, after a few tough serve-receives, we seemed to lose our confidence, making it tough to fight back.”

The Riots were running new personnel that morning, too, complicating their efforts to overcome a solid Bonny Eagle squad.

The second set unfolded slightly more evenly; Bonny Eagle took it, of course, but this time the Riots came three points closer: 25-16.

South Portland looked still better in their third set versus Bonny Eagle – just not quite good enough.

“The girls game out strong and fought back tough,” said McAllister of the action. “We had solid offensive plays being made by all our players. A missed call didn’t go our way; that seemed to hurt momentum.”

Scots Breanna Lifland and Katie Champagne posted standout contributions over the course of the morning, combining for 11 kills and seven aces. Katie Champagne also finished with five blocks. Defensive specialists Brooke Ward and Amber Randall tallied 17 digs between them.

Coach Champagne also lauded setter Bailey Gryskwicz. “Bailey controlled the offense with great distribution of the ball and solid communication,” Champagne said.

Saturday was the senior day for the Scots. “They were emotional,” Champagne said of her elder statesmen, “yet determined to succeed in their final game on the Bonny Eagle court. With only 14 months of training for these young athletes, they’ve continued to lay with hustle and desire and have developed a love for the game.”

Only 14 months? Yup: This is the Scots’ first year as a varsity program. “I’m beyond pleased,” Champagne said of her girls’ inaugural season. “But, knowing these athletes, I’m certainly not surprised.”

Bonny Eagle’s Breanna Lifland makes a diving volley in the Scots’ 3-0 win over visiting South Portland on Saturday morning.South Portland’s Molly Mawhinney looks on as Bonny Eagler Mia Ferrante connects with a ball Mawhinney’s just volleyed over the net.Riots Madison Houlette (5) and Sky McCann, right, can’t block a shot by Bonny Eagle’s Breanna Lifland.Bonny Eagle’s Katie Champagne rolls the ball just over the net and aside from the reach of a South Portland defender.