HS Girls’ Volleyball: Panther Valley sweeps Tri-Valley to capture Schuylkill League championship
Panther Valley's players and coaches pose with the trophy after winning the Schuylkill League girls' volleyball championship match Thursday at Martz Hall. The Panthers defeated Tri-Valley in straight sets. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)
POTTSVILLE — There are serving runs, and then there’s what Kathryn Breslin accomplished on the big stage Thursday evening.
The Panther Valley freshman served 14 straight points — yes, 14 in a row! — in the first set to set the tone for the Panthers’ 25-5, 25-13, 28-26 victory over Tri-Valley in the Schuylkill League girls’ volleyball championship match at Martz Hall. After falling in last year’s final, the Panthers (18-2) returned to the top of the Schuylkill League for the second time in three seasons.
“I was thinking that I’ve just got to keep going,” Breslin said. “I can’t stop now. … Everyone was really hyped. We just wanted to come in and get this win.”
Breslin’s serving run, which included six aces, gave Panther Valley a 23-4 lead. Three points later, senior Morgan Orsulak drilled a kill to put the first set in the bank.
Orsulak kept the momentum going early in the second set, dinking into the open court, then slamming a kill for a quick 5-1 lead. That advantage grew to 11-3 and then 19-9. On that point, Panther Valley made two amazing saves to keep the rally alive and kept digging Tri-Valley’s spikes before Orsulak ended it with a kill. Panther Valley cruised the rest of the set as junior JaeLynn Browdy ended it with a kill for a 2-0 lead.
“They’re hungry, and they’re hot,” Panther Valley coach Nancy Filer said. “They’re jelling well, and it’s their time.”
Tri-Valley (19-1) didn’t quit and in the third set displayed the level of play that have them ranked as the No. 1 Class A team in the state. The Bulldogs finally took a 14-13 lead on a Faith Melocheck kill and eventually had four set points. Panther Valley saved them all. An Orsulak kill tied the set 26-26, and after a Tri-Valley hitting error, Orsulak served an ace on match point to clinch the victory and set off a huge black-and-gold celebration.
“I wish we could have played the whole match like we did the third set,” Tri-Valley coach Courtney Scheib said. “We didn’t play our best tonight.”
The Dawgs sought their third league crown after winning back-to-back Schuylkill League titles in 2011 and 2012.
Liv Lupole led the Dawgs with 13 kills and two digs. Faith Melocheck added 12 digs, nine kills and one ace; Kenzie Tobin contributed 14 assists and seven digs; Kylie Clemmer made 12 digs; Kirra Klinger led the team with 25 digs; and Callie Melocheck notched 12 assists and five digs.
Panther Valley basically blitzed Tri-Valley in the first two sets, and the Panthers rode that wave of emotion to the finish line.
Senior Caroline Breslin dominated the back row with 23 digs, thwarting many Tri-Valley kill attempts. Kathryn Breslin finished with 19 service points, six aces and two digs.
Panther Valley’s big hitters got into the act, too. Orsulak pounded 16 kills, with 16 assists, 14 service points, six aces and three digs. Browdy posted 15 kills, 15 assists and one block. Junior Jessica Hackash added eight kills and three digs, while junior Madeline Schirer had 10 service points and five digs.
Both teams will continue in the District 11 playoffs next week, Tri-Valley as the No. 1 seed in Class A and Panther Valley among the powerhouse Class 3A field.
“They played with a lot of heart and dedication all season long. They just came through,” Filer said before the Panthers headed home for a victory parade. “The last two matches, Tuesday and Thursday, amazing. I’m hoping they can keep it going, but I’m glad for tonight!”
