SHINGLEHOUSE — In their pursuit of back-to-back District 9 Class A titles, the Oswayo Valley volleyball team got off to a hot start, beating DuBois Central Catholic in four sets.
Coming into the postseason with the No. 5 seed, OV earned homecourt advantage and took the opportunity to give their fans reason to celebrate. The Lady Green Wave won the first two sets 25-13 and 25-18 before dropping the third 25-20. However, they were able to finish off the Lady Cardinals with a decisive 25-19 win to punch their ticket to the next round.
“We came out extremely strong and very confident in the first set, which showed. I think we allowed some bigger runs in the third set that kind of caught up with us,” said Oswayo Valley head coach Emily Sullenger. “That was our struggle but I think we were much more successful in the fourth set and got our momentum back, which was difficult.
Olivia Cook had 11 kills, 15 digs, six aces and one block, Praylan Perkins had 10 digs, five aces, four kills and two blocks, while Laci Miller-Geiger ended with 27 assists, 10 digs and two aces. Her work moving the ball tonight gave Miller-Geiger her 500th career assist.
“Our focus is 100 percent on our unforced errors. Just being able to maintain a steady mindset and also they know they have to play really clean moving forward,” said Sullenger. “We’re going to face teams that are going to be able to handle anything we do. Our focus is being able to adjust after every play. It’s going to be a mindset battle moving forward.”
OV will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face No. 4 Clarion Area on Thursday.
“The girls are excited and it’s definitely going to be tough but I think they’re ready and they understand that its’ going to be a process getting through each point and each set,” said Sullenger. “We’re excited as a group and ready to work through it at practice to prepare.”
Coudersport 3, Johnsonburg 0
COUDERSPORT — After barreling into the postseason with the No. 3 seed, the Lady Falcons’ kept their hot streak going with a sweep of the No. 14 Ramettes, winning 25-12, 25-15 and 26-24.
Sierra Myers had a team-high 12 kills alongside three blocks, while Savannah Myers had five aces, four kills and seven digs. Emilee Ruter had 20 digs and Emily Eckert facilitated the offense with 26 assists.
Coudy will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face No. 6 Sheffield at home on Thursday.
Otto-Eldred 3,
Redbank Valley 2
NEW BETHLEHEM — Fighting it out in five dramatic sets, the No. 10 Lady Terrors were able to upset No. 7 Lady Bulldogs.
After finding themselves down two sets to none (25-14 and 25-23), O-E responded by cleaning house in the next three, winning 25-17, 25-12 and 15-12.
Carrie Drummond led the way for the Lady Terrors with 27 kills, 15 digs and three blocks. Kate Rhinehart had 15 kills, while Anna Schuessler had 41 assists in the win.
O-E will move on to play No. 2 Elk County Catholic on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
BOYS SOCCERDistrict 9 Class
A First Round
Port Allegany 1, Elk County Catholic 0
ST. MARYS — The Gators were able to survive their first round match up in hostile territory, sneaking out a win off Henry Kisler’s penalty kick.
After 33 minutes of a scoreless battle against the Crusaders, Kisler found the back of the net on a free shot, putting the Gators ahead. They were able to keep the lead going into halftime and keep ECC at bay to move on to the quarterfinals.
In goal, Aidan Clark recorded eight saves in the shutout win, while Sagan Beaver stopped six shots for ECC.
Port will advance to play top seeded Karns City on Thursday in the semifinals.
