Everett outlasts Conemaugh Township in District 5-2A championship
· Yahoo Sports
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP — Conemaugh Township eyed its second upset of the week when it took on to top-seeded Everett in the District 5 Class 2A volleyball championship, Saturday, Nov. 7, at Pitt-Johnstown.
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Like its semifinal final contest against Windber, the title tilt went the distance. Unfortunately, Conemaugh Township could not complete the rally, as the Warriors earned a 23-25, 25-23, 25-19, 11-25, 15-12 victory.
"You can't wait until the third and fourth game to put the pedal to the metal," said Conemaugh Township coach Laura Swank. "The nerves got to some of my players. Once we settled in, we had a battle. Everett, they're a phenomenal team. They're very scrappy. They don't give up."
There were nine ties in the first set. After an 8-1 run by the Warriors, Conemaugh Township went on a 7-0 surge for a 22-21 advantage. Conemaugh Township closed the set, tallying 3 of the final 4 points, taking a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set was another battle. Trailing 17-12, Conemaugh Township notched five straight points to even things. There were three more ties from that point, but Everett came up with some big kills to close the set and tie the match at a set apiece.
It was a trio of Everett runs that led to a triumph in the third set. Trailing 7-2, the Warriors tallied four straight and were down by only a point. Down 10-8, Everett notched five in a row for its first lead in the set. The Warriors put the set out of reach with an 8-1 run in the latter stages of the set.
With its season hanging in the balance, Conemaugh Township dominated the fourth set. It never trailed once, forcing a fifth and deciding set.
However, Everett responded in the fifth set. The defending champs did not trail. Tied at 10 apiece, the Warriors rattled off the next three points and recorded back-to-back kills to claim the championship.
Conemaugh Township was led by junior Sarah Swank's 34 kills and 17 digs, while senior Danika Black provided nine blocks, nine digs and seven kills. Fellow senior Averie Seibert dished out 34 assists to go along with nine digs, while Mary Matera added 23 assists and 11 digs. Quinn Moser and Mya Nemeth combined for 36 digs, and sophomore Cora Oswalt delivered 14 blocks and 11 kills.
"I'm very proud of them," Coach Swank said. "We have heart and they will battle to the end. Nobody quit. They put their best effort forward and gave it their all."
Somerset sweeps Central Mountain for Class 4A championship
Somerset avenged a regular season loss to Central Mountain with a 25-20, 25-14, 25-17 victory in the District 5-6-8 Class 4A championship game at Mount Aloysius College.
Kaycee Stairs recorded 17 kills and three blocks, while Thressa Ledney tallied eight kills, six aces and six digs for the Golden Eagles. Elly Fletcher provided 30 assists, while Ella Thompson notched 11 digs, seven kills and four aces. Kayla Piccola chipped in six digs.
Somerset visits District 4 champion Athens in the first round of the PIAA playoffs at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Everett outlasts Conemaugh Township in District 5-2A championship