WEXFORD — Dan Follett's outlook on Thursday's WPIAL Class AAA boys volleyball quarterfinal playoff between Seneca Valley and Norwin wasn't swayed by the Knights' height disadvantage.

The Raiders' coach knew better.

“We played them earlier this year at their place,” Follett said. “We beat them 3-1, but they were without a couple of their top players. Facing them again, with them having a full roster, I expected a tight game.”

Seneca Valley again topped the Knights 3-1, though the first three sets were decided by a combined eight points.

The Raiders' 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 25-17 victory sends them to the semifinal round, where they will face North Allegheny for the third time this season at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Baldwin High School.

Like the first three, Thursday's fourth set appeared to be headed for a tight finish.

A Norwin service error handed possession and a 19-17 lead to the Raiders, who reeled off six straight points to end the Knights' season.

Evan Maurer tallied three kills during the run, Matt Gagnon contributed a kill and a block and Marshall Price a kill.

“We talked to our setter (Will Hayes during a timeout) about spreading the ball around,” Follett said, “but it all starts with defense. We were able to transition well and that led to points.”

“Our libero, Jack Gardiner, has passed well consistently this season. That's where it started,” said junior Kyle Martini, who finished the game with 16 kills and three blocks. “Plus, our outside hitters, Matt and Marshall, helped us close the match.”

After dropping the first set, the Knights bounced back in the second. Despite four kills from Martini, Norwin scored several crucial points late, two of them coming on blocks from senior middle hitter Grant Saunders.

“Norwin's a good team,” Martini said. “They just beat Canon-McMillan 3-0 (in Tuesday's first round) and they were the only team to take a set off of North Allegheny this year. But we just stuck to our game plan.”

Neither team was able to mount a consistent offense in the third set, but Martini's five kills helped earn for the Raiders a key two-games-to-one lead.

“Norwin smacked us in the mouth tonight,” Follett said. “We could have been a little cleaner, but overall, I'm happy with how we responded.”

The Raiders' length did play a key role in the outcome as the team totaled 13 blocks that resulted in points.

“We just couldn't match Seneca Valley's offense,” said Norwin coach Allen Warden. “They are very good at ball control. We knew they were bigger than us. Everybody is bigger than us.

“We lost a lot (of talent) from last year and outsiders were thinking it was going to be a down year for Norwin, but we always expect to be around in the quarterfinals and semifinals.”

Matthew Schaich had 11 kills to pace the Knights (12-5).

Gagnon added 13 kills for Seneca Valley (13-4) and Hayes dished out 56 assists.