PINE GROVE — Blue Mountain, which defeated Northwestern Lehigh in two games in pool play, had to find its way past the same team when it counted most.
The Eagles, who stopped Northwestern Lehigh, 27-26, 25-15, in the Cardinal Pool early in Saturday’s Cardinal Clash girls’ volleyball tournament, defeated the Tigers 25-22 to capture the championship.
Blue Mountain swept eight games in its pool, which also included Schuylkill Haven, Pius X and Pine Grove. With the exception of the losses to Blue Mountain, Northwestern Lehigh also swept two games each from the same teams.
After Pius X beat Tamaqua 25-17 in the first round of playoffs, Blue Mountain eliminated the Royals 25-12 in the quarterfinals. In other quarterfinal action, Gray Pool winner Nativity, which went 9-0 in the pool, topped Schuylkill Haven 25-21, Northwestern Lehigh beat Northern Lebanon 25-12 and Pine Grove stopped Lehighton 26-24.
In the semifinals, Blue Mountain beat Pine Grove 25-13 while Northwestern Lehigh outlasted Nativity 25-22.
Marian wins 3rd-place pool in 1st Kill Tournament
BETHLEHEM — Marian began defense of its PIAA Class A championship by winning the third-place pool of the 1st Kill Tournament at Freedom.
The Fillies went 2-4 to place third in one of four pools as they faced Berks Catholic, Red Lion and Upper Merion. Then, in a pool with the third-place teams from the other pools, Marian went 4-2 to tie Bethlehem Catholic for first place.
Head coach John Fallabel said setter Abby O’Donnell had 68 assists, giving her more than 2,700 for her Fillies career.
Tri-Valley places 2nd in
Lycoming College Classic
WILLIAMSPORT — In the Lycoming College High School Classic, Tri-Valley placed second.
The Dawgs went 3-3 in its pool, but then won two best-of-3 matches against Sayre and Athens to reach the final, where the Dawgs fell 2-1, including 15-11 in the final game, to Central.
Mahanoy Area 3
MMI 1
MAHANOY CITY — Noelle Kaufman posted 14 kills to lead Mahanoy Area (1-0) to a 25-17, 26-28, 25-19, 25-16 non-league victory over MMI Prep.
Kaufman added 11 assists, six service points and four aces for the Golden Bears in Chris Fallabel’s first victory as head coach at Mahanoy Area. Mychaellah Lucas added 12 kills, 16 assists, nine service points and four aces for the winners.
Rylee Kane posted two kills, five blocks, 13 service points and five aces for Mahanoy Area while Mickayla Backo had 12 service points, including four aces.
Easton 3
Pottsville 0
EASTON — Easton posted a 25-13, 25-17, 25-9 victory over Pottsville in the Crimson Tide’s opening match.
No details from the match were reported.
Easton’s JV took a 2-0 win.