ST. MARYS, Pa. – Jadyn Brabham and Avaree Kellert helped Oswayo Valley make history Tuesday night.
The duo combined for 30 kills, as the Green Wave qualified for the PIAA playoffs for the first time in school history with a 3-0 (25-22, 27-25, 25-14) sweep of Elk County Catholic in the District 9 Class 1A semifinals at ECC.
“Wow, these girls are determined,” Oswayo Valley head coach Rachelle Kellogg said. “I never thought we would be here, and look at them now. I figured maybe next year when they were seniors. They are still undefeated and made OV history.”
Brabham had 24 kills, 15 digs, and two blocks to lead the way for third-seeded Oswayo Valley, while Kellert added 16 kills, 12 digs, six blocks, and two aces.
“Coming into tonight, there was a lot of mixed feelings knowing what ECC had as the girls studied them,” Kellogg said. “They knew where they hit and their defense, but at the end of the second (set) I knew going into the third there was no looking back with our hitters and Trinity running our offense. It was going to be hard for them to stop us.”
Trinity is Oswayo Valley setter Trinity Lundy, who had 39 set assists while adding eight digs and an ace.
Also for the Green Wave, who are unbeaten on the year, Praylan Perskins added three kills, 18 digs, two set assists, and a block.
Tori Newton paced second-seeded ECC with 16 kills, while Moira Stanisch ran the offense for the Lady Crusaders with 18 set assists.
“It’s always tough to lose, and this is not how we planned on ending our season,” ECC head coach Tricia Bauer, whose team suffered its first defeat, said. “We had a few tough breaks, but overall the girls played a good game.”
Oswayo Valley will take on three-time defending District 9 and defending PIAA champion Clarion in the title game at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at Elk County Catholic High School in a match that will be broadcast on D9and10Sports.com.
KEYSTONE 3, KARNS CITY 0
KNOX, Pa. – Top-seeded Keystone moved into the District 9 Class 2A title game for the second straight season with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-18) defeat of visiting Karns City.
“With only losing two seniors from last year we had a strong returning group who got the championship game experience,” Keystone head coach Bryan Mong said. “Their goal since (losing in last year’s title game to Redbank Valley) has been to return to the championship. We are happy to now have a chance play for it.”
Leah Exley led the Lady Panthers with 13 kills, while Sydney Bell added nine kills, five blocks, and four aces.
Alyssa Weaver ran the offense for Keystone with 17 set assists while adding four digs, and two aces.
The Lady Panthers’ defense was paced by Kennedy Kaye with 11 digs.
“Having the week off with the bye was a double-edged sword,” Mong said. “We were able to heal some bumps and bruises but came out a little rusty. It’s hard to simulate game speed in practice sometimes.”
Rosie Carden led Karns CIty with four kills, five digs, five set assists, and two aces, while Ashley Fox had three kills and 14 digs. Emma Johns added two kills, five set assists, and four digs for the Lady Gremlins, Ava Fox had two kills and five digs, and Amber Mauer five digs.
Keystone will take on defending champion Redbank Valley in the title game at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at A-C Valley High School. A win would send the Lady Panthers to the PIAA playoffs for the first time since 2001 when they finished second in District 9 Class 1A. Keystone hasn’t won the D9 title since 1992 when it won in Class 2A.
REDBANK VALLEY 3, BROOKVILLE 0
NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Behind 17 kills from Alivia Huffman, defending champion Redbank Valley advanced to the District 9 Class 2A title game for the fifth time in six years with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-22, 26-24).
“I think everybody doubts if they’ll go to the finals,” Redbank Valley head coach Ashley Anderson said when asked about the Lady Bulldog struggles at times this season. “We struggled right after quarantine (Redbank Valley had a COVID-19 quarantine in September). But they definitely picked it up. They had goals, and they’re definitely fulfilling those goals.
The big first set win set the tone for the night for Redbank Valley, who also got six Taylor Ripple kills and four each from Paytin Polka and Izzy Bond.
“I thought our offense looked really good,” Anderson said. “I told them our offense is swinging and they went out and showed up and that’s what I was expecting them to do.”
Caylen Rearick paced the Redbank defense with 15 digs with Carlie Rupp added eight digs.
Lilly Shaffer ran the Lady Bulldogs offense with 23 set assists.
Morgan Kulik paced Brookville with four kills with Bella Hill and Julia Bailey adding three kills each. Bailey also had two blocks.
Ashton Pangallo chipped in four set assists, a block, and a kill for the Lady Raiders.
Redbank Valley, which is looking for its fourth title since 2016 but its first back-to-back championship in school history, will get a rematch with Keystone in the title game at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at A-C Valley High School.
WEST MIDDLESEX 3, SAEGERTOWN 1
MEADVILLE, Pa. – Thanks to 15 kills and seven blocks from Carlie Beatty, second-seeded West Middlesex knocked off defending champion Saegertown, the third seed, 3-1 (26-24, 25-19, 13-25, 25-21) in the District 10 Class 1A semifinals at Meadville High School.
Emily Anthony added seven kills and 17 digs for the Big Red with Kennedy Beatty chipping in six kills.
Caitlin Stephens ran the offense for West Middlesex with 31 set assists while also serving five aces, and Katy Briggs had 11 digs.
The Big Red will face Cochranton in the title game.
COCHRANTON 3, CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS 0
MEADVILLE, Pa. – Top-seeded Cochranton swept past fifth-seeded Cambridge Springs, 3-0 (25-16, 25-8, 25-17).
No other information was available.
The Cardinals will take on West Middlesex in the title game.
