Berlin loses 5-set heartbreaker to Canton in PIAA 1A volleyball quarterfinals

WINGATE — After dropping the first set to Canton in the PIAA Class A girls volleyball quarterfinals on Saturday at Bald Eagle High School, Berlin Brothersvalley responded with back-to-back victories and had everything going in its favor.

However, the District 5 champs dropped set four and lost the deciding fifth set, after leading much of the way, bowing out of the state playoffs in heartbreaking fashion.

Ousted: Somerset shut out by powerhouse Quaker Valley in boys soccer 2A quarterfinals

"I thought my girls played pretty well throughout the entire match," said Berlin veteran coach Corey Will. "A couple balls go the other direction for us, we may have been out of here in three instead of losing in five."

Berlin was rolling in the first set. While it was close throughout, the Mountaineers did not trail until Canton took a 16-15 lead.

Heartbreaker: Windber drops District 5-8 2A championship to Westinghouse after late FG sails wide

The Warriors grabbed a 19-18 advantage, but the Mountaineers bounced back and had set point at 24-22. However, Canton closed the set on a 4-0 burst to win 26-24 and take a 1-0 advantage in the match.

Berlin sophomore hitter Lynndee Ickes missed part of the set because of an ankle injury. It seemed to take a toll on the Mountaineers while she was out. Her front row prowess could have went a long way in the latter stages of the set.

Things looked ugly for Berlin throughout much of the second set. The Mountaineers trailed 13-6 before an 8-1 run to tie the match at 14 apiece. It was a back-and-forth battle the remainder of the set.

Jenny Countryman, who tallied 15 kills in the match, notched back-to-back kills to give the Mountaineers a 19-18 lead. Knotted at 20-all, Berlin closed the set on a 5-2 spurt for a 25-22 victory to even the match at one set apiece.

The Mountaineers (23-3) rolled to a victory in set three to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Berlin went on an early 5-0 run for a 7-2 lead and never looked back. Ickes tallied two of her 15 kills late in the third to help close the set, 25-10.

It was a set filled with runs in the fourth. There were eight ties. Berlin only led three times, the last coming at 6-5. Canton, the District 4 champs, used two separate 3-0 runs and a 4-0 spurt to take a 22-16 advantage.

Berlin fought hard to claw back into the set late, but fell 25-21 to send the match into a deciding fifth set.

The Mountaineers played inspired to begin the fifth set, leading 6-3. However, the Warriors responded with a 6-0 run to take a 9-6 lead. Canton led 13-8, before Berlin rattled off the next five points to tie the match.

However, Berlin was called for double contact and a back row attack to end the match, sending Canton (17-3) into the state semifinals.

"This team is a tough team. They did not want this to be their last match," Canton coach Sheila Wesneski said. "They wanted to be in the gym Monday. I looked at them and said, 'You've got to play your game.'"

Despite its small roster and lack of playoff experience from much of its current lineup, Canton was determined to advance.

"They pulled through and I am so proud of them," Wesneski said.

Meanwhile, Berlin will lose six seniors to graduation. The Mountaineers, who captured WestPAC and D5 gold, were led by their senior crew.

Senior Kylee Hartman had 35 assists in her final match. Fellow seniors Madison Nemeth tallied 26 digs while Chloe Broadwater added eight kills. Their presence along with Kassidy Smith, Abreea Hay and Savanna Snyder will be missed.

"I am going to remember them as a group that probably came as far as any group of kids that I've ever coached," Will said of the Mountaineers. "They have probably been the most balanced team I've had the pleasure of working with over the years. They were a tight-knit group. This one is especially tight, especially among the senior group."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Berlin Brothersvalley suffers 5-set loss to Canton in 1A quarterfinals