Bobcat Spikers Defeat Bishop Canevin, Advance To PIAA “Elite Eight” In Playoffs (11/08/2017)

on 8 November, 2017 at 20:26

(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub) The Clarion Bobcat volleyball team advanced to the PIAA “Elite Eight” after defeating WPIAL champion Bishop Canevin in a back-and-forth affair at Norwin High School on Tuesday (11/07/2017). Clarion took the first set 25-19, but Bishop Canevin, the second ranked Class A team in the state, rebounded to capture the second 25-23. The Bobcats responded with a 25-18 third set victory, only to see Bishop Canevin take the next 25-20. With the match knotted at two sets apiece, it came down to a deciding fifth set, which the Bobcats took going away, winning 15-6.

Maya Thornton led the Bobcats’ attack, serving for a team high 20 points and smashing 10 kills. Sydney Kiser served for 2 points while contributing a team leading 17 kills. Maya Miller had 10 points from the service line and Alexis Constantino 9. The sophomore duo of Kaitlyn Constantino and Maddie Schill also played impressively for the Cats. Constantino served for 7 points and had 2 kills, with Schill serving for 5 and slamming home 7 kills. Hailey Sintobin chipped in a strong performance at the net, notching 10 kills over the course of the match. Brenna Campbell contributed to her team’s offensive success with 35 assists.

Alexis Constantino was not hesitant to get dirty on defense, scooping up 27 digs to lead the Bobcats. Also coming up with double digits in digs were Thornton (16), Kiser (13), and Lexi Lauer (12). Both Miller and Sintobin blocked 2 shots, with Kaitlyn Constantino and Lauer blocking 1 each.

Clarion advances to the PIAA Class A quarterfinals and will play District 6 champion Northern Cambria on Saturday at Dubois High School (game time is 2:30). The Colts, currently ranked third in the state, gained a berth in the quarterfinals with a 3-2 victory over AC Valley. Northern Cambria and Clarion squared off in early October, with the Colts winning 3-2 on the Bobcats home court.

(Keep It Going CATS!!)

(photograph courtesy of Kim Constantino)