BERLIN — Berlin Brothersvalley looked set to complete a three-set sweep to advance to the PIAA playoffs after making short work of Covenant Christian Academy in the first two sets.
However, the Mountaineers quickly learned that nothing was a foregone conclusion this far into the playoffs.
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After a narrow loss in the third set, the Mountaineers refocused, especially defensively, in the fourth set to escape with a 25-14, 25-14, 22-25, 25-20 victory over the Falcons in the first round. of PIAA. Class A playoffs Tuesday night.
“Tonight was a bit more difficult than we imagined, especially having the game here at home,” Berlin coach Corey Will said of his side’s advantage of facing the adversity. “But in the end, I think it’s going to be good for us.”
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At the start and at the critical moment, the Mountaineers (23-2) turned to Lynndee Ickes, who had 20 decisive victories, when they needed to win a rally.
The sophomore average hitter now has a team-high 258 kills this season.
“I’m always happy to help the team,” Ickes said. “I love playing with all of them. As a sophomore, it’s such an honor to be the No. 1 hitter and the big girl there.
Will praised the second year.
“Lynndee has probably grown the most among my players, not just between last year and this year, but as this season has come and gone,” Will said of Ickes’ development. “When we’re in a position where we know we need a kill, my setter was told she was the first option where I wanted the ball to go. Lynndee knows that and she will show up to rise to the occasion, which she has done several times tonight.
Junior Jenny Countryman and senior Chloe Broadwater totaled 11 wins each for Berlin. Senior Maddy Nemeth provided 24 recoveries.
Senior setter Kylee Hartman had 43 assists, including her 1,000th career assist, and was recognized in front of the crowd after Berlin easily won the opening set.
Although Berlin led by no less than five in the fourth set, Covenant Christian was still within striking distance as the frame was tied seven different times.
The Falcons (16-5) tied the fourth set at 20-all through a Mountaineers serve error. But Berlin pulled off a 5-0 run, capped off by a forceful block from Countryman to stave off any thought of a comeback.
The final set was a far cry from the previous one in which Berlin struggled to maintain defensive consistency.
“The crazy thing in the third set was offensively, we were very good. Defensively and serving-receiving, and even serving, we were very bad,” Will said. “When you get to that level, you can’t go through these pushes. The lesson I told the girls in the group at the end was that none of this is going to be easy.
The Mountaineers took a 10-0 lead in the first set behind nine straight service points from junior Peyton Grenke. The Falcons then cut the lead to four, 18-14, before Berlin responded with a 7-0 run powered by two aces from Grenke to seal the victory.
The District 5 champions will now turn their attention to District 4 champion Canton in a PIAA quarterfinal game at 4 p.m. Saturday at Bald Eagle Area High School.
“I know they (Canton) are going to come in with a little more offense than Covenant Christian was able to put together tonight,” Will said of Berlin’s next opponent. “We’re going to have to hope maybe they don’t have such a scrappy defence.”
