Bobcats Volleyball Team Receives Royal Send-Off To PIAA State Championship Match

on 20 November, 2021 at 02:06

(Images by Tracy Durish, Jolene Pierce and Clarion Sports Zone: Above – The Bobcats shortly before departure)

The Clarion Area Bobcats Volleyball departed in style shortly before noon, on Friday (November 19th), for Saturday’s (November 20th) PIAA Class-1A State Title match-up with Sacred Heart Academy, set to take place at Cumberland Valley High School, in Mechanicsburg, at 10:30 AM.

(Bobcats in Gym prior to the big send-off in the hall)

The entire student body and staff lined the hallway. As the team emerged from the gym, they were greeted by the beat of the Drum Line and when they reached the foyer, by the entire Clarion Area Band performing the School’s Fight Song “Cheers, Cheers For Old Notre Dame.”

Coach Shari Campbell addressed the crowd. “I want to thank you all so much for coming to see these hard working girls off. These fourteen girls worked super hard. They set a goal, probably last year on November 22nd, to be back here.

“And they have a lot to be proud of.

“I hope that you find something that you find something that you love as much. And I hope you find people you love to do it with. Everybody should feel this way . . .

“So thank you for supporting us. I’m going to turn it over to our Captains (seniors Jordan Best, Korrin Burns, Noel Anthony and Payton Simko), for anything they want to say . . .”

Korrin raised her hands in the pointer-pinky “Victory” gesture and yelled “We’re gonna win States, boys!” followed by whoops and applause by everyone. Jordan concurred. “What Korrin said.” Korrin again, “Thank you for all the support . . . We love you” And all the captains, “Thank you all.”

Coach Campbell encouraged the gathering to get tickets online, to go to the match to support the team, saying “You can get tickets online. Come be in the stands. It’s fun for you guys too. If you can’t make it, you can watch it on PCN live. It’s at 10:30. So we’ll hear you, we’ll feel you cheering from there.”

(The match will air live on PCN’s subscription service PCN Select on Saturday (November 20th) and the replay will air on PCN [Channel 51 on cable TV, in Clarion Borough] on Sunday (November 21st) at 2:00PM. – link to article on how to subscribe to PCN Select – PCN Select To Have Live Video-stream Broadcast Of Bobcats – Lions PIAA Girls Volleyball Class-1A State Championship Match On PCN Select Saturday Morning (November 20th) | Clarion Sports Zone

D9and10Sports will also do an audio broadcast of the match. Link – Nov. 20 – AUDIO ONLY: Clarion vs. Sacred Heart PIAA Class 1A Volleyball Championship – YouTube )

“We’re going to bring home another trophy for you.” And Korrin, “You all better be there.”

The band played again as the team made it through the well wishers toward the bus.

( (L-R) Chief Doug Preston, Clarion Fire & Hose Company No.1, Clarion Borough Police Officer Neil Kemmer, Clarion University Patrolman Jeff Slagle, and fireman Hunter Cashmer)

Once outside the team saw those local heroes and the vehicles they would be using to escort the team through town and to I-80, Clarion Borough Police Officer Neil Kemmer; Chief Doug Preston from Fire & Hose Company No.1 and fireman Hunter Cashmer (also a member of the ROTC at Clarion University); and Clarion University of Pennsylvania Patrolman Jeff Slagle.

After a few pictures, the team was given Orange and Black balloons, which they released into the air.

And then they boarded the bus and headed through town, with this great escort and off to Mechanicsburg.

(Jolene Pierce’s parents and grandmother showing their support.)

(Thanks to Tracy Durish and Jolene Pierce for their images. Let’s Go Get Another State Title, Bobcats!!!! And Let’s all line the streets to welcome them home, tomorrow!!!!)

More images below.