Scarborough ace Lilly Volk, joined by her parents, Amy and Derek, signs her National Letter of Intent Monday to attend and play softball at the University of Maine in Orono. Volk, who plans to study nursing, has dominated for three years on the mound (18-0, 0.75 earned run average, 20 walks, 155 strikeouts) and last spring, threw a perfect game in a regional quarterfinal round victory over Portland. Volk said that she wanted to play in college since she was young and she looked at several out-of-state schools, but ultimately chose Maine. 

“I wanted to stay in-state and be close to my family and friends,” Volk said. “I’ll have to work my tail off, but I think it will be really exciting. I just feel incredibly, overwhelmingly blessed with all I’ve been given and everything my coaches have provided me with. I owe so much gratitude to the coaches and my teammates here. They’ve inspired and pushed me. It’s developed who I am not only on the field, but also my character.”

Scarborough coach Tom Griffin, a U. Maine graduate, said he was thrilled for Volk and expects her to do very well at the next level.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for a Scarborough kid to become a Maine Black Bear,” Griffin said. “I’m personally thrilled. (Lilly) obviously has talent, but character is what separates her. A lot of kids may throw as hard, but the type of kid she is and how she handles herself and how much she enjoys the sport makes her the full package. Lilly has control, poise and confidence. People love to play behind her. That will bode well for her at the college level.”