CRANBERRY TWP — Crunch time is Freeport time.

The Yellowjackets calmly put away two close games late in sweeping Seton LaSalle 3-0 in their WPIAL Class AA girls volleyball quarterfinal match Tuesday night at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School.

After winning the first game 25-13, Freeport (16-3) won the second and third games by 25-21, 25-22 scores to advance to the semifinal round.

Having won previous WPIAL titles — including last year — and 11 straight section crowns will do that.

“No doubt, experience plays a big part in matches like this,” Freeport coach Tom Phillips said. “Seton LaSalle has an excellent team. They've got some hitters who come at you.”

The Rebels (11-4) — ousted in the quarterfinal round for the fourth straight year — had a 20-18 lead in the second game before kills by the Yellowjackets' Katie Zingaro and Maddie Christy tied the game. A kill by Hannah Mason and service ace by Abree Cowan gave Freeport a 23-20 edge.

Zingaro used blocks to secure the final two points of the game for Freeport.

“We know how to stay relaxed in those situations,” Zingaro said. “Just play our game and set the shot.

“In practice, we worked on their tendencies, what they like to do with the ball, and how to defend it. That helped, too.”

Freeport trailed 22-21 in the third game before scoring the final four points of the match. Cowan got the final three service points.

“You want to play your best match of the year in the playoffs and I feel like we did that,” Seton LaSalle coach Mark Felbinger said. “Freeport is a finesse team that can really mix up how they handle the ball.

“I thought we played them extremely tough. I'm proud of my team.”

Mason had 10 kills for the Yellowjackets. Zingaro contributed six blocks and Jenna Manke six kills.

Phillips thought libero Claire Crytzer was a key to the victory.

“Claire had an outstanding game,” the coach said. “She saved so many points. She's a gritty player and got down on the floor to keep a lot of shots alive.

“When you play a team that has height and can hit the ball like they (Rebels) can, that's a key.”

Crytzer shrugged off her contributions.

“My job is to keep the ball off the floor,” she said. “When I can do that, we're going to get the set in the right spot and get the point.

“If I can save it, I'm confident my teammates will do the rest.”

Ellie Grefenstette and Bridget Hart had eight kills each for Seton LaSalle. Freeport will play Avonworth — a 3-1 winner over CW North Catholic — in the semifinal round Thursday.

Hampton 3, Mars 0 — The Planets (9-9) were eliminated in the Class AAA quarterfinals by a 25-22, 25-18, 26-24 loss to the Talbots (14-4).

Mars and Hampton were tied at 20 in the first game, at 16 in the second and and at 24 in the third. The Talbots defeated the Planets for the third time this season.

“This was a tough match,” Mars coach Tami Caraway said. “Those games could have gone either way.”

Hampton was led by sophomore middle hitter Anastasia Russ, who compiled 15 kills, four blocks and three aces.

“She's a tall girl who hits from the top of her reach. She's an aggressive player,” Caraway said.

Russ ended the match with consecutive kills. The third game was tied 11 different times. Julia Frye had seven kills for Mars. Maddie Schlegel contributed six and Alayna Chizmar five. Julia Zimmer had 18 digs, Isabelle Berkopec nine digs and Rachel McKernan eight.