WEXFORD — Since August the Knoch volleyball team has been operating with the same rotation.

Knights' coach Diane Geist decided to tinker with that rotation ahead of a quarterfinal match against Kiski.

She used it again Thursday against Central Valley in a 25-17, 25-16, 25-20 win at North Allegheny that sends Knoch back to the WPIAL 3A championship match.

Knoch (21-0) will play Thomas Jefferson at 4 p.m. Saturday at Fox Chapel.

“I pretty much switched everyone,” Geist said.

The highlight of the change was getting setter Kerrie Fitzpatrick more opportunities at the net as a hitter and getting Hannah Rowe in the middle to block.

“It works a lot better for us, I think,” said Rowe, who had 12 kills in the win over Central Valley. “We have more height in the middle with Kerrie hitting. Kerrie is a great all-around player.”

Knoch started slowly, however, against central foe Central Valley, falling behind 14-7 in the first set.

But an 8-0 run erased that deficit and the Knights cruised after that.

“I'm so proud of our team,” Rowe said. “We always have it in us to give that extra push when we need it. I wasn't worried about us dropping that first set. We trust each other.”

Kennedy Christy also had 12 kills and Kenzie Kerkan added 18 service points for Knoch.

The Knights aren't taking defending their WPIAL title lightly. It was one of their main goals this season on a march toward a possible state championship repeat.

“We have worked so hard this season to get to this point,” Rowe said.

“It's a lot different this time,” Rowe added. “We had a lot of depth last year, but the one thing we have this year that we didn't have as much of last year is athleticism and quickness. It's hard not looking forward and looking forward tends to bite teams, but we've always been able to stay focused on what's in front of us. That's been the goal all along.”

What's in front of them is Thomas Jefferson, a team Geist doesn't know much about.

That may not be a bad thing.

“Sometimes it's better that way,” she said. “We'll just have to pick up on a few little things, on what we can.”

North Catholic also notched an impressive victory, downing Serra Catholic 25-20, 25-20, 25-20 to also remain undefeated.

The Trojanettes (18-0) will play Frazier, who knocked off Freeport 3-1, in the WPIAL 2A championship at 4 p.m. Saturday at Fox Chapel.

Alana Felix had 17 kills and Dominique Felix added 15 kills in the sweep.

“They're amazing,” said North Catholic coach Amanda Fetter.

But so were setter Olivia Kaminski, middle hitters Gabriella Mudd and Ava Whitesel and outside hitter Libby Palmer, Fetter said.

“They came alive,” Fetter said. “I truthfully believe in that first game they were the reason why we won.”

In Fetter's first season as the coach, North Catholic will be playing for a WPIAL title.

It wasn't a surprise to Fetter, who was told when the job opened in July that the Trojanettes were capable of reaching the championship match.

“One of my dear friends when she found out I was going for this position told me she wouldn't be surprised if we ended up in the WPIAL finals,” Fetter said. “That's not the reason why I went after the job, though. But these kids just enjoy each other and it's fun to be in the gym with them. Every practice, every drill, they really grab on to it and see it as a chance to get better.

“I love them with all my soul.”

Frazier 3, Freeport 1 — Ally DeJidas had 14 kills and Isabella Russa added 11 more, but the Yellowjackets had trouble with Frazier star Skye Eicher in a 27-29, 25-22, 26-28, 18-25 loss.

Eicher had 23 kills, 15 digs and three blocks in the victory.

Freeport (16-3) will still advance to the PIAA 2A tournament, which begins Tuesday.

Clarion 3, A-C Valley 1 — Olivia Boocks had 17 kills, 31 digs and 12 service points, but the Falcons' season came to an end with a 22-25, 25-23, 17-25, 23-25 loss to Clarion in the District 9 Class A semifinals.

Emily Wetzel added 19 digs, 31 as

Boys Soccer

After a heartbreaking loss in penalty kicks Monday, Mars suffered another tough loss, this one 3-2 to Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL 3A consolation game to end its season.

Thomas Jefferson scored what would be thewinning goal with 30 minutes left.

Two minutes earlier, Tyler Nymberg scored to tie the match at 2-2.

The Planets (18-3) never led.

Steven Papik scored on a penalty kick in the first half to tie the match at 1-1.