SV volleyball wins thriller
WEXFORD — Back and forth Seneca Valley and Oakland Catholic went in the second set.
The two volleyball teams traded points for the entire game and 16 times the set was tied.
Oakland Catholic pulled out that wild game, 30-28, to tie the match at 1-1.
Seneca Valley, though, was not deflated.
The Raiders came back to win the next two sets and moved on to the WPIAL 4A semifinals with a 25-20, 28-30, 26-24, 25-18 win over the Eagles Tuesday night at North Allegheny High School.
“We we're battling back all night,” said Seneca Valley coach Karen Martini. “If we can get the uncontrollable out of the girls' heads and get them to focus on what they can control, then they'll push forward every point.”
And that's just what Seneca Valley did in a match where every point was contested.
Senior right-side hitter Emily Devlin dominated for the Raiders with 20 kills. Whenever Seneca Valley needed a point to stem the Oakland Catholic momentum or build some of its own, Devlin's number was called.
“Emily has been the leader on the court all year,” Martini said. “She's an experienced player from last year and pretty much took charge tonight. She was a big part of this victory.”
Devlin was proud of her teammates, who also had big nights.
Freshman Sarah White, who was moved to hitter early in the season, added 14 kills. She also excelled in the back row against Oakland Catholic.
“I'm always proud of her,” Devlin said. “Sometimes I have to pull her aside and say, 'Sarah, it's OK. Just relax.' I feel like as a leader I need to do that.”
Devlin was also vocal after the Raiders dropped the second set.
She was a big reason why Seneca Valley overcame a rally by Oakland Catholic in the third game and hung on to win.
“We sometimes have trouble finishing sets,” Devlin said. “But winning that third one was big for us. We really needed the momentum to keep us pushing and to keep going.”
Fittingly it was a Devlin kill that ended the match and sent the Raiders to a matchup with Armstrong Thursday at a site and time to be determined.
Seneca Valley is one step closer to getting a chance to defend its WPIAL title from last season.
“The nerves are crazy,” Devlin said, “but we're all so excited.”
