Northeastern volleyball wins clash of title teams

In a matchup of reigning state champions, Northeastern boys' volleyball knocked off Parkland, 22-20, 23-21, to win the best-of-three championship at the Bobcat Invitational.

The three-time defending PIAA champions in Class AA, Northeastern defeated the defending Class AAA state champions to win its 40-team tournament. Both Northeastern and Parkland are ranked No. 1 in the state in their respective classifications.

The tournament featured some of the best programs in the PIAA.

The semifinals matched up four teams ranked in the top 10 in the state. Class AA No. 1 Northeastern played Class AAA No. 5 Central York. Class AAA No. 1 Parkland faced off against Class AAA No. 3 Pennridge. Joining them in the 16-team championship bracket were Liberty (ranked eighth in Class AAA) and Saegertown (ranked second in Class AA).

Central York battled to a 15-13, 14-16, 15-12 win against Saegertown, last year's state runner-up in Class AA,  before dispatching Red Lion, 15-11, 15-9.

Northeastern easily handled State College, 15-6, 15-6, in the first round of the championship bracket. The Bobcats had a little more trouble with Pennsbury in the quarterfinals, but Northeastern advanced, 11-15, 15-12, 15-9.

Dallastown also earned a spot in the championship bracket, but the Wildcats dropped a first-round battle with Pennridge, 14-16, 15-13, 15-11.

York Suburban won the tournament's silver, or consolation, bracket. The Trojans beat Nazareth, 25-23, in the final.