Bobcats Advance To District Nine Girls Volleyball Class-A Title Game With Five Set Semifinal Win Over Crusaders; Will Face C-L In Championship at Tippin on Thursday (October 31st).

The Clarion Area Bobcats downed homestanding Elk County Catholic in the District Nine Girls Volleyball Class-A semifinals with a five set (19-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-15, 15-7 win over the defending D9 and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) State champion Crusaders, on Tuesday (October 29th).

The Bobcats had a number of big performances, with eight players contributing to the stat sheet.

Marley Kline and Hadlee Campbell contributed 27 and 21 kills respectively. Marley also turned in 23 digs and five service points. Hadlee registered 14 points on serve (2 aces) and 12 digs.

Addi Campbell handed out 56 assists to here teammates. She also had 10 points on serve (2 aces), 3 kills and four digs.

Anna O’Toole scored 11 service points (4aces), to go along with a dig. Sophie Babington served for 9 points (2 aces), had 1 kill and five digs. Natalie Durish registered 17 digs, 2 assists and 6 service points (1 ace).

Ali Burford registered 4 kills and 2 digs. Alivia Diehl provided six kills.

Bobcats’ Coach Share Campbell was very happy with the team’s performance, saying, “This was a total team effort. I am so proud of us for fighting for this win. It’s something we have been striving for.

“Our serving was key. In set 4, Hadlee Campbell and Sophie Babington had big runs that gave us room. Marley and Hadlee really stepped up.

“Natalie Durish was so solid in serve receive which helped our offense to be successful.

“Addi Campbell found ways to get our hitters into great positions against ECC’s block. Our blocking game was fantastic with 7 blocks. Liv Diehl and Ali Burford made key plays.

“And, I can’t say enough about Anna O’Toole serving for 2 set points. Lacey Lauer came into set 2 and way ahead big part of our change in energy.

“This entire team keeps working hard and all 13 of them have earned the right to be confident.”

The Bobcats will now face the next door neighbor Clarion-Limestone Lions for the District Championship on Thursday (October 21st) at Penn West – Clarion’s Tippin Gymnasium. The match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Redbank Valley Bulldogs will face the Cranberry Berries in the Class-2A Title Match, that same evening, also at Tippin. That contest is set for 5:30 p.m.

(Way To Go, Bobcats!!!! Good job to all four teams and have great Championship Matches!!!!)