On a day when the Knoch golf team needed a great performance, its top five players answered the call.

The Knights entered their Division I, Section 8 match against Mars at Rittswood Golf Course Thursday tied with the Planets at 8-2 in the section.

The winner of the match would qualify for the WPIAL team playoffs, while the loser would be the odd team out.

The Planets turned in a great performance of their own with a 194.

But Knoch's top five all carded scores below 40, as the Knights ended the day with a school record 187.

The previous mark of 188 had stood for 15 years.

"I was on the team that shot the 188," said Knoch coach Rob Voltz. "So the kids were all pretty proud to break the record set by their coach's team."

Rob Gillespie led the way with a 35 followed by John Hook (37), Nate Rihn (38), Cam Fusko (38) and Tom Gillespie (39).

The Planets received a solid team performance as well, with Dave Casteel and Brian Routhieaux both carding a 37 and R.J. Hardt finishing with a 39.

"A 194 will win you nine out of ten matches," Voltz said of the Planets' effort. "It was just a great effort by our guys."

The Knights (9-2) will travel to face Kittanning today, but their playoff berth has been secured.

The WPIAL team playoffs will be held Oct. 18 at a site to be determined.

Knoch 187:

Rob Gillespie 35, John Hook 37, Nate Rihn 38, Cam Fusko 38, Tom Gillespie 39

Mars 194:

Dave Casteel 37, Brian Routhieaux 37, R.J. Hardt 39, Jeff Baur 40, Steve Smail 41

Tam O'Shanter Invitational -

Butler wrapped up the season with a fifth-place tie out of 28 teams at the course in Hermitage, which was won by Kennedy Catholic.

Matt Maloy shot a 77, Collin Randall 78, Christian Mato 79 and Andrew Shakely 88.

Mars 3, Ambridge 0 -Jodi Leopold and Kelsey Rovnan had 15 and nine kills, respectively, to power the Planets past the Bridgers.Mars (11-1, 9-0) will play at South Fayette Monday.Grove City 3, Slippery Rock 0 -The Eagles won this matchup in straight sets 26-24, 25-16, 25-15.The Rockets (4-3) received eight digs and six kills from Jess Speicher and eight digs, five kills and 24 assists from Kristen Staugh.Also, Amy Siwik had 11 digs and eight kills, Erica Gabreski had 10 digs and seven kills, and Marlena Lipko had 10 digs.The Rockets will play at Reynolds Tuesday.Freeport 3, Valley 0- Stephanie Leslie had 24 service points, 25 assists, two blocks, two kills and two aces to lead the Yellowjackets to a 25-12, 25-19, 25-8 win.Kelly Acre added 10 service points, six blocks, three aces and six kills, Ashley Stover had 10 points, five kills and two blocks, and Marissa DeSalvo had three blocks and five kills for Freeport (11-0, 10-0).Karns City 3, Rocky Grove 0- Stephanie Isacco had 28 service points as the Gremlins rolled to a 25-15, 25-23, 25-9 win.Anna Bullman added 30 sets for Karns City (5-3).Moniteau 3, A-C Valley 1 -Amber Dillaman had eight kills and three blocks, and Kendra Hall had 20 points, three aces and four digs as the Warriors beat the Falcons 25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 25-15.Kristen Hasychak added three aces and 100 percent serve and Kristi Costa also had 100 percent serve for Moniteau (5-5, 5-4).Moniteau won the junior varsity game 25-14, 15-25, 25-16.

Knoch 5, Deer Lakes 1 -Scott Herman scored three goals and D.J. Thomas added two scores for the Knights.

Knoch's doubles duo of Chelsea Gibson and Tiffany Allen lost in the second round of the WPIAL finals tournament to a team from Neshannock, 10-7.Gibson and Allen got to the second round after defeating a Burrell duo 10-1 in their first match. No other details were available.The results from Mars' Katrina Erdahl and Christie Hansen were not reported.