Clarion Volleyball Reaches Quarterfinals In Own Tournament (10/15/2018)
(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub) The Bobcat volleyball team finished out a busy third week of the season by playing host to its 18th Annual Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 22. Clarion, ranked third in Class A, advanced to the quarterfinals, falling to Cochranton, ranked second in the state, 25-19.
In pool play, Clarion defeated Class A Elk County Catholic in two sets (25-14, 25-21). The Bobcats next split a hard fought match with the fourth ranked team in Class A, Bishop Carroll, losing the first set 25-23 before taking the second 26-24. After dropping a pair to Cochranton (25-19, 20-25), the Bobcats rebounded by splitting with Class AA North Star, falling in the first set 21-25 and winning the second 25-23.
Following pool play Clarion had to again face Bishop Carrol, this time with a spot in the championship bracket on the line. The Bobcats won the elimination game 25-20, setting up their quarterfinal meeting with Cochranton.
Sophomore Brenna Campbell led the way for Clarion at the service line, collecting 28 points (two aces). She was followed by juniors KK Girvan with 15 (two aces), Kaitlyn Constantino with 14 (six aces), and Maddie Schill with 12 (three aces). Freshman Korrin Burns had 29 points via the kill, with Schill slamming the ball down for 25, Constantino 16, senior Hailey Sintobin 13, and senior Dorothy Kalinowski 11. Campbell ended the tournament with 84 assists.
When it came to defense, Girvan scrambled for a team high 40 digs. Constantino hit the floor for 24, Schill for 22, Campbell for 17, and senior Lexi Lauer for 13. Sintobin recorded three blocks, with Schill and Kalinowski good for one apiece.
Nothern Cambria, the top ranked team in Class A, won the tournament over Maplewood, the tenth ranked team in Class AA.
Also participating in the tournament were Class A Cambridge Springs and Berlin; Class AA Wilmington; Class AAA Bradford, Dubois, and Warren; and Class AAAA Altoona and McDowell.