District 3-AAA girls' volleyball: Chambersburg, Waynesboro both fall to YAIAA teams in 5 sets

DALLASTOWN >> Chambersburg and Waynesboro went into the Dallastown gym Saturday with the same mission – knock off a YAIAA girls' volleyball team in the District 3 Class AAA Tournament to extend their seasons.

Unfortunately for both Mid Penn Conference teams, the mission failed despite pushing Central York and Red Lion to five games in both matches.

The second-seeded Panthers knocked off the No. 15 Trojans, 15-25, 25-19, 26-24, 20-25, 15-12, while the Lions, seeded No. 10, ended No. 7 Waynesboro's undefeated season – it's first loss in 21 matches – with a 23-25, 25-14, 25-19, 17-25, 15-12 victory.

Those two York County squads will meet in Tuesday's quarterfinals, the third time the two rivals have met this season.

Meanwhile, Chambersburg and Waynesboro will look back at a missed opportunity to advance in the postseason – both teams held leads in the deciding games but failed to close the deal.

"That was definitely not your typical 2-15 match," said Trojan coach Ty Frelin, referencing the seeds. "I thought both teams played well. We didn't back off."

Central (15-0) got a big performance from its offensive star, Emily Poole, who had 21 terminations against the Trojans.

But the support she got from teammates Allison Rife (11 kills) and Ashley Gallagher (nine kills) were key to the Panthers' success according to coach Nate Ocasio.

"(Ashley) really took advantage of what she was given," he said. "And Allison Rife just played phenomenally, especially when we were out of system."

In its deciding fifth set, Chambersburg led 10-7 on the strength of four kills from Caitlin Vrabel (19 kills, 4 blocks) and two more from Cara Long (14 kills).

However, Chambersburg missed a serve coming out of the Panther timeout that seemed to ignite the hopes of Central.

A pair of Poole kills tied it at 10. Kamryn Stambaugh followed up one of her 11 kills out of the middle to give Central York a permanent lead.

Ocasio wasn't happy with the pairing against the Trojans, who matched up well physically with his team but knew his team had a win in them.

"That was the worst possible draw in a Sweet Sixteen match for us," he said. "We had a couple of nice practices leading up to (Saturday). We looked relaxed coming into it."

The missed serve was a definite momentum killer according to Frelin.

"You can't give them a point there. You have to make them win it," he said.

Lauren Ching compiled 43 assists to lead the offense while Danessa Martin and Bailee Nitterhouse combined for 40 of the Trojans' 88 digs.

It was Red Lion's turn first to come from behind as the Maidens (20-1) jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the clinching game, getting three of Ciara Rosenberger's game-high 21 kills.

However, the Lions (14-3) began chipping away at the deficit, eventually tying it at seven apiece on a Logan Dontell block. It was tied three more times before Lindsey Blevins notched one of her 18 kills to give the Lions the lead for good.

Lion coach Heather Shoemaker knew what to expect out of the Maidens and was pleased with how her team responded to the challenge.

"We just worry about ourselves. That's been our mantra for the second half of the season," she said. "Today, everybody contributed to the win. I couldn't be more proud of this team."

Blevins felt confident going into the match, feeling like this tournament is wide open.

"We've been ready for this game. Anyone can win the district because everyone is so close," said the junior outside hitter.

Waynesboro coach Kim Saunders was disappointed with her team's effort against a Red Lion team they had scouted earlier in the week.

"We squandered opportunity after opportunity. It was just not the day to not show up," she said. "We knew what to do but we never (executed) the game plan.

"This is the big stage. You have to come to play. Red Lion is a very good team."

Senior libero Alyssa Taylor led the Waynesboro defensive efforts with 30 of her team's 72 digs. Jordan Stoops directed the Maiden offense to the tune of 45 assists.

Central York 3, Chambersburg 2 Chbg 15-25, CY 25-19, CY 26-24, Chbg 25-20, CY 15-12 at Dallastown

Chambersburg stats — Danessa Martin (1 kill, 1 ace, 24 digs), Lauren Ching (43 assists, 10 digs), Kailey Layman (3 aces, 8 digs), Caitlin Vrabel (1 ace, 4 blocks, 19 kills, 6 digs), Cara Long (14 kills), Bailee Nitterhouse (6 kills, 16 digs), Lauren Diller (7 kills, 8 digs).

Cental York stats — Allison Rift (11 kills, 2 digs), Ashley Gallagher (1 ace, 9 kills, 2 blocks, 12 digs), Emily Poole (21 kills, 4 blocks, 2 digs), Emma Saxton (1 ace, 1 kill, 51 assists, 8 digs), Hannah Rishel (2 assists), Kamryn Stambaugh (2 aces, 11 kills, 1 block, 5 digs), Karah Slow (1 ace, 11 digs), Larua Fahs (2 aces, 17 digs), Natalie Hawksworth (4 blocks).

Red Lion 3, Waynesboro2 Way 23-25, RL 25-14, RL 25-19, Way 17-25, RL 15-12 at Dallastown

Waynesboro stats — Liv Fogelsonger (11 kills), Alyssa Taylor (30 digs, 1 ace), Ciara Rosenberger (21 kills, 2 aces, 7 digs), Jordan Stoops (45 assists), Rachel Johnson (11 kills), Kaylie Yarnell (17 digs), Brycelin Spidel (4 blocks, 6 kills).

Red Lion stats — Lindsey Blevins (18 kills, 6 digs, 3 blocks, 1 ace), Logan Dotell (7 digs, 6 blocks, 6 kills, 1 ace), Lauren Enfield (8 digs, 1 block, 5 kills, 10 aces), Rachel Groff (10 digs, 1 ace, 30 assists, 1 block), Brooke Glatfelter (4 blocks, 7 kills), Emily Sterner (10 digs), Kayla Johnson (3 blocks), Jenna Enfield (3 aces).