RICHLAND TWP, Cambria County — The mantra was established long before the leaves changed and the chill came to the air.

Stairway to States.

The Knoch volleyball team took the final step Saturday afternoon at Richland High School, rallying from down 2-games-to-1 and from 10-7 deficit in the fifth and deciding set beat Allentown Central Catholic 26-24, 17-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-12 to complete an undefeated, 24-0 season with a PIAA 3A championship.

“This means a lot. I can't even express how much this means,” said Knoch Senior libero Carly Bozzo, eyes welling with tears and lips quivering. “This is what we set out to accomplish.”