Clarion Area Claims Fourth Straight KSAC Volleyball Championship With Victory Over Keystone

(Images by Nate Girvan) Above: 2021 KSAC Champion Clarion Area Bobcats

The Clarion Area Bobcats downed homestanding Keystone 3-0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-18) on Thursday (October 21st) to finish the regular season undefeated and claim their fourth straight Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference Championship, and eighth in the past ten years.

The first set was tight, with the Cats squeaking out a 26-24 win, and facing Keystone match points at 22-24 and then at 23-24, after a kill by Korrin Burns, broke serve. Then Adia Needham closed the set with three straight service points, with Korrin delivering on a kill for set point.

The second set was close. But with the score at 14-12, Clarion, the Cats went on a 12-1 run to close it out. Needham served for six straight points moving the score to 21-13. Then after service breaks by both teams Noel Anthony closed it out with three straight points, securing the 25-14 win.

After a Burns kill, to break serve and tie set three at 8-all, Needham served for six straight points (the last two aces) for a 14-8 Clarion lead. The Panthers broke serve and with five straight service points, closed the Bobcats’ lead to just one at 14-13.

An 11-5 run sealed the match, with Grace Ochs serving the final two points, the last one an ace.

Needham finished the night with 19 points (3 aces) and a dig, for Clarion. Burns had a monster night, with 25 kills, 9 digs, and 3 points (1 ace). Anthony dished out 33 assists, to go along with 8 points (2 aces) 4 kills and a dig.

Simko recorded 7 points (1 ace), a kill and nine digs. Aryana Girvan had 9 kills and three digs.

Ochs had 4 points (1 ace) and seven digs. Jordan Best scored 4 points and also had an assist and four digs. Taylor Alston added a kill.

The Clarion Junior Varsity won their match 2-0 (25-14, 25-12).

Gia Babington had 8 points (2 aces), 6 kills and three digs. Sophie Babington contributed 8 points (2 aces) 2 kills and two digs. Brenna Armstrong scored five points (2 aces) and delivered on two kills. Hadlee Campbell had 5 points (2 aces), 3 kills and five digs. Grace Ochs dished out 11 assists, scored 4 points and had three digs.

Alicyn Burford contributed an ace and a kill, and Taylor Alston added a kill.

The Bobcats are competing in the North Allegheny Tournament this weekend and then will be in the District Nine Class-A Playoffs which start next week.

(Thanks to Nate Girvan for his images. CONGRATULATIONS, BOBCATS 2021 KEYSTONE SHORTWAY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!!!!)