ERIE, Pa. – Check off another first for the Mercyhurst Prep boys’ volleyball team.
The Lakers, fresh off their first D10 title in program history, knocked off WPIAL runner-up Ambridge 3-0, 25-16, 25-15, 25-21 to advance to the PIAA quarterfinals in Class 2A.
Octavian Sperry led the offensive output with 17 kills and eight digs, while Anthony Martucci had seven kills and David Bahm six.
Two different Lakers had double-digit assists, as Eli Olszowka had 18 assists and Josh Wingenbach 14.
Up next for Mercyhurst Prep is Manheim Central in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Manheim beat Obama Academy 3-0, 25-10, 25-9, 25-11.
COCHRANTON 3, NORTH CATHOLIC 0
CRANBERRY TWP. Pa. – Cochranton bounced back from its loss to Mercyhurst Prep in the D10 title match with a 3-0, 25-16, 25-21, 25-20 win over WPIAL champion North Catholic.
Chase Miller had 10 kills, while Landon Homa and Noah Cummings had nine kills each.
Andrew Custead directed the offense to the tune of 40 assists and also had five aces.
Up next for the Cardinals is D6 champion West Shamokin on Saturday. West Shamokin won a 5-set marathon over Mars, rallying from a 2-0 deficit, 18-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 15-12.
CLASS 3A
CANON-MCMILLAN 3, MCDOWELL 2
ERIE, Pa. – McDowell’s season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion with a 3-2, 25-18, 25-27, 22-25, 25-21, 17-15 loss to Canon-McMillan.
Jack Wilcox led the McDowell offense with 23 kills to go along with five digs, while Amarvir Kang had 18 kills and 10 digs and Aidan Probst had seven kills and eight digs.
RJ Nagg ran the offense with 46 kills and also had 10 digs, while Deke Patton had 14 digs.
McDowell finishes the season with a record of 13-5.
The Big Macs move on to face WPIAL champion Shaler in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
