JACKSON TWP — Before the season even started, back when practices were long in a sweltering gymnasium, the Knoch volleyball team conjured up a saying that would guide it throughout the 2017 season.

Stairway to States.

The Knights now find themselves on the top step.

It was by no means an easy climb. Knoch had to play Montour again, 10 days after it had toppled the Spartans in the WPIAL 3A championship game, to reach the PIAA championship match, doing so in five tense games, winning 25-19, 12-25, 25-21, 22-25 and finally, 15-9.

“I knew they'd be out for us,” said Knoch coach Diane Geist. “They're a good team.

“Game 5 is anyone's game,” Geist added. “I just give these girls credit. They didn't get scared. They stayed calm at the end and got the job done.”

Senior Sarah Armahizer certainly got the job done. She had 26 kills in the marathon match, including six in the decisive Game 5.

“We didn't let the pressure get to us,” Armahizer said. “It was a lot. The crowd was loud and they're a great team, so we just made sure to not get in our heads too much and keep the tempo and momentum on our side.”

Before Game 5 started, the Knoch players roamed the court. Sophomore Hannah Rowe walked up to senior Kenzie McDowell, nodded and said, “We're going to states.”

McDowell agreed emphatically.

“I believe in us so much,” McDowell said. “I never had a doubt.”

That confidence was planted in the offseason when Knoch set a series of goals.

One was to win the section.

Check.

Another was to win the WPIAL for the first time in school history.

Check.

And another was to reach the state final.

Check.

“It's unbelievable,” Geist said. “It hasn't sunk in yet — maybe when I get on the bus it will a little bit. I can't believe we're going to the final.”

Montour grabbed big leads in three of the five games, including the first, but Knoch rallied to win.

The second game was one of the worst Knoch has played all season, but the Knights responded with a Game 3 win.

In Game 4, the Knights fell behind big again, 14-4, but battled back to close to within two points before losing.

That run gave them plenty of confidence for Game 5.

“That's just how they are,” Geist said. “They're a pretty laid-back group.”

Geist has been the coach at Knoch for nearly three decades. This will be her first trip to the state final.

She's had great teams in the past with great players, but had fallen short.

Knoch (23-0) will play Allentown Central Catholic, at 3 p.m. Saturday in the PIAA 3A final.

McDowell struggled to find the words to express how much it meant to this team to get to the state final.

“It's just so exciting for (Coach Geist),” McDowell said. “I'm so happy we're the team to do it for her.”