BUFFALO TWP — Sarah Armahizer was in the eighth grade the last time the Knoch volleyball team beat Freeport.

So, the Knights had a little extra motivation against the Yellowjackets Monday night in a match that, in the grand scheme of things, meant little for each team's seasons.

“It's definitely more personal,” said Armahizer, now a senior. “It's fun playing against them. We all know each other, so it's more fun than anything.

“I wasn't even in high school (the last time we beat Freeport),” Armahizer added.

Knoch (10-0) changed that, using the extra adrenalin to cruise to wins in the first two sets and held off Freeport 25-16, 25-14, 18-25, 25-21.

The Knights, one of the top teams in WPIAL Class AAA, and Freeport (10-2), one of the best teams in WPIAL Class AA, played this match as if it was a WPIAL final.

Both teams had healthy fan sections.

Winning at Freeport is rarely easy, and this one certainly wasn't for visiting Knoch.

After dominating the first two sets, Knoch fell behind Freeport 10-3 and 18-7. A rally cut the deficit to 21-17, but the Yellowjackets won four of the next five points to claim the set.

The fourth set was even most of the way until Kennedy Christy got hot, banging home three kills, including the match-winner.

“We're trying to get over let-down games, and it didn't happen tonight,” said Knoch coach Diane Geist. “I'm going to have to give them a pass because they haven't beaten Freeport in a while.

“Freeport is a good team and they're a smart team,” Geist added. “They never give up. It's a compliment to them. They're a team that's really tough to beat. I'm proud of the girls.”

Knoch showed off its superiority and depth at the net.

Christy, only a sophomore, led the way with 14 kills. Hannah Rowe, another sophomore, added 13 kills and Armahizer had 12 kills.

The trio also had a slew of blocks, particularly in the first two sets.

“I think they were a little too strong in the middle,” said Freeport coach Tom Phillips. “Sarah had a great game. They were just a little bit much for us. Hey, it's a humbling experience, but it's these kinds of matches you look for at this time of the year.”

Despite the loss, Phillips also had reason to be proud of his group.

The Yellowjackets had a chance to force a fifth set, but fell a little short in the fourth after bouncing back in the third.

“We had our moments,” Phillips said.

Two members of his team were also playing under adversity.

Senior setter Courtney Grubbs injured her ankle in practice recently, but battled through the injury against Knoch.

Lauren Lampus played despite the death of her grandmother earlier in the day.

“I give Lauren Lampus a lot of credit,” Phillips said. “I told her, obviously, it was one of those things where it was her call to play or not. She wanted to play. She fought hard and she played well.”

Lampus had five kills and 13 service points.

Ally DeJidas led Freeport with nine kills. Sarah Hettich added seven kills and Hannah Mason also pitched in six kills.

Neither team gets to think too long about this match.

Freeport plays Burrell in a section match Tuesday and Knoch hosts Central Valley in a pivotal section clash, also Tuesday.

“I'm hoping we have enough for (Tuesday) night,” Geist said. “It was real close when we played down there. We won, but we won by only a couple of points each game. This was a good win, and I hope we have enough energy to get a win (Tuesday). I'm hoping we build off of this tonight.”