Bobcats Dominant In Winning 2021 Clarion Area Varsity Volleyball Tournament Championship

(All images by Nate Girvan) Above Clarion Aryana Bobcats – 2021 Clarion Area Varsity Volleyball Tournament Champs: Front (L-R)  – Bri Pierce, Gia Babington, (Number 1 Fan) Ryan Wiser, Grace Ochs, Natalie Durish, Hadlee Campbell. Back (L-R) –  Sophie Babington, Adia Needham, Taylor Alston, Payton Simko, Noel Anthony, Korrin Burns, Aryana Girvan, Paola Lopez. (Not pictured, Jordan Best.)

The Clarion Area Volleyball Team won their own 2021 Clarion Area Varsity Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, September 18th, in impressive fashion.

The Bobcats went 2-0-1 in Pool Play matches, winning 5 of 6 sets, and then went 3-0 in their matches in the Playoffs and Championship, winning all five sets.

This year’s field included Clarion, Corry, Elk County Catholic and Bishop Carroll in Pool A and in Pool B, it was DuBois, Warren, Conneaut and Mercyhurst Prep.

The Bobcats opened Pool Play with a 25-12 win in the first set against Elk County Catholic. ECC came back to win the second set 25-23. After that, Clarion reeled off victories in eight straight sets.

Following Elk County Catholic, the Bobcats downed Bishop Carroll 23-16 and 25-22. Then it was Corry, in Clarion’s final Pool Play action. Clarion won 25-19, 25-20.

In their one set, quarterfinal match, the Bobcats defeated Mercyhurst Prep 25-14.

Then it was on to their semifinal match-up with Warren, where the the Bobcats came out on top 25-18, 25-17.

Clarion secured the title by downing DuBois, 25-18 and 25-19 in the Championship Series.

A number of Bobcats had an impressive all-around tournament.

Noel Anthony handed out 108 assists, scored 17 points (1 ace), had 4 kills and twenty digs. Jordan Best scored 43 points (10 aces) and had 28 digs. Korrin Burns registered 56 kills and 20 digs and also scored 20 points (1 ace). Payton Simko scored 13 points (2 aces), and delivered 18 kills and fourteen digs. Bri Pierce scored 20 points (6 aces), to go along with 21 digs and an assist.

Aryana Girvan delivered 28 kills and two digs. Gia Babington scored 19 points (1 ace) and had three digs. Grace Ochs scored 10 points (3 aces) and had four digs.

Adia Needham had 6 kills and a dig and scored 4 points (1 ace) and Taylor Alston delivered on seven kills.

Bobcats’ Head Coach Shari Campbell is very pleased with her team’s performance. “I am proud of our work to win our home tournament.  We worked hard to bring out our competitive drive and will continue to do so. 

“This team is capable of playing amazingly, both offensively and defensively.  I think we are learning that loving the battle of competition is an amazing feeling also.  When that mindset is consistent, this team is on track to do great things.”

Coach Campbell shared her gratitude for those who made this tournament a great success. “Our volunteers from our booster club and our JV players ran a fantastic tournament that included a great concession stand.  Many parents and players from visiting schools gave great compliments on the offerings. 

“Many enjoyed the great atmosphere of a volleyball tournament and all that it offers.  We were very happy to be back to able to offer it.” 

And a very special shoutout. “A big thank you to our volunteer assistant Sam Beichner for her work as tournament director!”

(Thanks to Nathan Girvan for his images. Congratulations, Bobcats 2021 Clarion Area Varsity Volleyball Tournament Champions!!!!)