From staff reports

CRANBERRY TWP — The first WPIAL championship season in North Catholic boys volleyball history came to a sudden end Tuesday night with a 3-0 loss to District 10 runner-up Cochranton in a first round PIAA 2A Tournament game in the Trojans’ gym.

“We just didn’t have it tonight,” North coach Stacie Ball said.

Match scores were 25-16, 25-21, 25-20.

“We played that first set like we were ready for summer,” Ball said. “We did bounce back and play better in the last two, but Cochranton played very well. They have a good team.”

Cochranton improved to 16-5 on the season and plays West Shamokin — a 3-2 winner over Mars — in the next round. North Catholic ends its season at 16-5.

Lucas Gunther led the Trojans with 14 kills. Drew Palmer had nine kills and Nate Ball four. Ro Alessandro led the team with 20 assists.

Alessandro — North’s setter — and middle hitter Luke Ball are the Trojans’ only seniors this season.

“We’re a young team and, factoring in the COVID year, this was only our fifth year as a program,” Coach Ball said. “We’ve been to the playoffs every year and have been to the WPIAL finals twice.

“I’m confident we’ll build off what we accomplished this season.”