WEXFORD — The odds were stacked against Knoch's girls volleyball team.

With hitters Hannah Rowe and Kennedy Christy on the bench with injuries, the Knights looked flat in dropping the first set of Monday's WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal to a strong West Allegheny squad, 25-13.

Things quickly changed, however, as Knoch found its groove and used it to advance to Wednesday's semifinal round, winning the final three sets by scores of 25-11, 25-18 and 25-20 at North Allegheny High School.

Rowe and Christy were both named All-State last year. It is unknown if either will be able to return this season. The Knights are using a rotation of four players to replace them.

“Not having Hannah and Kennedy, the girls could have used that as an excuse,” said Knoch coach Diane Geist, “but they found a way to do it tonight.”

But the Knights took a hit early as the Indians (13-3) built a 21-9 lead and won the first set easily.

“We came out nervous, which is uncharacteristic for us,” Geist said. “We weren't confident at all.”

“Our confidence was shaky at that point,” admitted senior outside hitter Skylar Burkett. “We were hoping it didn't go down like that, but we just needed to stay together.”

Even without much of its talent on the court, Knoch is the two-time defending WPIAL champion. It was up to the healthy Knights to keep hope alive for a third straight title.

Burkett and Kate McCarty led an attack that helped the Knights dominate the second set, much like the Indians did to open the match.

“It was their attitude that changed,” said Geist of her players. “They believed.

“We had to play well on defense,” she added. “Without those two big hitters in there for us, we're not getting the kills that we're used to.”

Burkett added five of her team-high 15 kills in the third set, which Rory McCune and Morgan Frishkorn helped end with timely kills.

Knoch (18-1) had to counter a strong effort from West Allegheny's Anne Koester in the fourth set. The senior hitter tallied half of her 12 kills on the night in the set, which was tied multiple times. Ultimately, kills from Burkett and McCarty helped to close out the Indians.

Quinn Hughes had several big kills and blocks in the win.

Knoch will face Franklin Regional in the semifinals Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.

“The girls were awesome tonight,” said Geist. “I couldn't be more proud of them.”

North Allegheny 3, Seneca Valley 1

Taking a set from the two-time defending WPIAL and PIAA champion Tigers is something not often achieved.

Seneca Valley was on the verge of taking a whole lot more.

After falling behind two sets to none, the Raiders rallied for a victory and led the fourth set 13-8 before falling in a WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal by scores of 10-25, 16-25, 25-19 and 21-25.

“We had eight or nine matches that went to a fifth set this year and were hoping for another one,” said SV coach Brett Poirier. “I'm proud of the way we fought back tonight.”

NA's attack, including Abby Miller, Hannah Phillips and Paige Miller, gained control late in the fourth set as the Tigers (17-0) scored seven of the final 10 points.

Kills were spread out for NA, with Phillips leading the way with nine.

“You can't concentrate on one area of their attack,” said Poirier. “You shut down their left and they come at you from the middle and the right.”

The Raiders (10-9) avoided a sweep with strong play on both the attack and on defense in the third set.

Middle hitter Anna DeGraaf tallied several clutch kills and blocks and hitter/setter Sarah White dropped four kills in the third set.

“We handled the first two sets like I thought we should,” said NA coach Heidi Miller. “Then they put enough pressure on us and it got exciting.

“We have not been healthy this year and are down a middle hitter and setter right now,” Miller added. “The key is maintaining composure and consistency while we're banged up.”

White paced SV with 12 kills on the night and Emma Davis added eight kills. Mandy Altsman had 13 assists.