SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – For the senior starters on the Clarion volleyball team – Noel Anthony, Jordan Best, Korrin Burns, and Payton Simko Tuesday night’s PIAA semifinal victory over Bishop Canevin (3-0) marked the second year in a row they have beaten the Crusaders to advance to the PIAA title game.
And in some ways, this year’s victory at Slippery Rock High School even tops last year’s win at Bishop Canevin for all four of the,/
“It is so awesome,” Burns said. “It is even more special because I get to do it with my best friends this year. I am loving life, and we are really looking forward to Saturday (the PIAA championship match vs. Sacred Heart Academy).”
Best said the feeling this year is somewhat the same and somewhat different than a year ago/
“It is a little bit of the same and a little bit different,” Best said. “Us seniors knew how badly we wanted it this year because it is our last chase. It is definitely a different feeling.”
Simko and Anthony feel the same.
“The feeling is great,” Simko said. “Last year was great, this year is pretty great.”
“It is really great,” Anthony echoed. “We are just like a family.”
Having family and friends able to watch the win this year made it different for all of the players. Last year came in front of just a handful of parents because of COVID-19 capacity restrictions.
“Our parents’ section is the bomb,” Anthony said. “There is nothing better than that. We don’t really have a fan section, but we have a parent section, and they are awesome.”
Simko gave a shoutout to the parents as well.
“Our parents are awesome,” Simko said.
Best said just having that support system makes the experience better.
“It is definitely so much better to experience this with us and have a support system,” Best said.
Watch the postgame interviews
JORDAN BEST
PAYTON SIMKO AND NOEL ANTHONY
KORRIN BURNS
