ERIE, Pa. – North East came out swinging and never stopped as the Grape Pickers swept Corry, 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-19) to claim their second straight District 10 Class 2A volleyball crown.
See the highlights:
The Pickers jumped out to a 12-3 lead in the first set and led 20-13 at one point. Corry battled back and tied the set at 23-23. North East recorded the final two points to hang on for the win and the 1-0 lead.
“When we serve and serve receive we’re a really good team because offensively we’re really good,” North East coach Bob North said. “Their (Corry’s) best part of their game is their serve. If we’re solid in serve receive, which I thought we were tonight, then I like our chances.”
See North’s full postgame interview:
Corry took the lead early in the second set, 11-8, but North East outscored the Beavers 17-6 the rest of the way to take a 2-0 lead into the third set.
“We had a really tough match on Tuesday (against Saegertown), and I feel that that energy that we brought in today definitely helped,” North East’s Cadence Jones said. “Our motivation carried into today and I think that’s what got us this D10 championship.”
See Jones’ full Cole Orthodontic Associates interview:
After playing to a 10-10 tie in the third, North East started to pull away and took an 18-13 lead. Corry came back to cut the deficit to 20-17. The Pickers took the momentum back, and on championship point, Jones fired an attack through the block and fell to the floor in celebration.
“There’s no better feeling than this,” Jones said.
In a game with big hitters, the defense led the way for North East as four players recorded double-digit digs.
Jones had 18 kills and 14 digs, Briell King had 31 digs, and Anna Swan had 12 digs. Grace Sanfilippo had 13 digs and ran the offense with 32 set assists.
Kayla Forsythe had 11 kills and Jalyssa Wicker had five kills.
Both teams advance to the PIAA Tournament, which begins on Tuesday. North East will take on the No. 2 team from the WPIAL (District 7), while Corry will face the WPIAL champion. Freeport and Beaver will play for the WPIAL championship on Saturday at 1 p.m.
