Knoch sweeps unbeaten McLane
SLIPPERY ROCK — This battle of volleyball unbeatens was hardly a classic.
Knoch wanted to make history. And General McLane was in the way.
The Knights went on a 9-1 run to break free from a 6-6 tie early in the first game and went on to sweep the Lancers 25-14, 25-19, 25-15 in their PIAA Class 3A quarterfinal match Saturday at Slippery Rock High School.
“I did not expect this — not at all,” McLane coach Danielle Hayes said.
The victory put the Knights (22-0) in the state semifinals for the first time in the program's history. Knoch will face Montour (16-2) in the semifinal round at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Seneca Valley High School.
“This feels awesome,” senior middle hitter Sarah Armahizer said. “It's a great feeling. This is what we've been working for.”
Diane Geist has been Knoch volleyball coach for 31 years and broke through with a veteran team that has been on a mission.
“It's been our goal all along,” Geist said. “We call it the Stairway to States. There have been 10 steps in this program and we've been taking them one by one.”
The one they took Saturday looked easy.
“But it wasn't,” Geist said, smiling. “The girls just made it look that way.”
With the first game tied at 6, Knoch took off as three kills by Hannah Rowe, two aces by Kerrie Fitzpatrick and two kills by Abby Pospisil sparked the aforementioned 9-1 run.
The second game was tied at 16, but a Rowe kill and two McLane mis-hits helped Knoch close with a 9-3 run to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
“They have three hard hitters on their team, but we have three on ours, too,” Hayes said. “We were just off today. We couldn't keep the ball in the box, between the lines.
“Their hitters did that consistently. They played a great game.”
The Lancers (19-1) were trying to advance to the state semifinals for the first time since 1978. But those hopes were quickly put to rest.
Armahizer and Kennedy helped the Knights seize control of the third game early. Their play at the net, with help from, Bethany Nulph and Rowe, helped turn a 4-4 tie into an 11-6 lead.
Successive aces by Carly Bozzo gave Knoch a 23-14 lead. Two mis-hits by McLane ended the match.
Armahizer had 12 kills and Rowe eight for the Knights. Bozzo had 21 digs, Christy 20. Fitzpatrick had 16 service points.
Geist referred to Armahizer as “our go-to-girl,” saying “we can get the ball to her knowing she can beat a double-block and secure the point.”
Armahizer said she has plenty of company in that regard.
“There are three or four other girls on this team who can hit the ball as hard, if not harder, than I can,” she said. “That helps a lot. We free each other up.
“We can attack from a lot of directions. I feel like we're playing better and better as we go along.”
Maddie Soboleski led the Lancers with 18 kills and 14 digs. Mia Schaller had 13 digs and Hailey Ingalls 22 assists.
“Maddie has been everything to this program. She's a senior and this is a tough way to go out,” Hayes said. “But I wish (Knoch) luck. They have a great team.”
