Central York volleyball makes it a season sweep of Red Lion, moves on to District 3 semifinals

Central York knew Red Lion was going to come into Tuesday's District 3 Class AAA girls' volleyball quarterfinal match looking for revenge. After a scare in the first game, Central defeated Red Lion 3-1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-14, 25-13) to advance to the semifinals on Thursday.

It was the third time this season that Central has defeated Red Lion this season. They beat them in two previous meetings coming into Tuesday's match, which included a victory to secure the YAIAA Division I title.

"We understood Red Lion was going to come out pretty fired up," Central York head coach Nate Ocasio said. "They had a good crowd. I'm sure they were pumped to play us just like we were excited to play some more good competition. So the message (before the match) was just to stay even keeled and weather the storm through the first 15,16 points."

Central opened Game 1 with the first three points before Red Lion answered right back. The two squads would remain neck and neck until Red Lion went on a 7-3 run to take the opener 25-21.

Central answered back in Game 2 with a 4-0 run to open things up and they never looked back. Red Lion moved within two at one point, but it was the closest they would come and fell 25-17. Central York would take the next two games to punch their ticket to the semifinals.

After the win, Ocasio credited his squad's defense for playing a major role on Tuesday.

"They had a hell of a night," he said. "Laura (Fahs) from the service line, she's surgical. I mean she really is and she's been consistently our best passer and server the last three years. And obviously Hannah (Rishel) and Karah (Slow) defensively is a pretty good one-two punch."

Fahs finished the game with 10 aces and nine digs. She was quick to credit her teammates for any success she's been able to have after the win.

"It's just a team effort and I feed off of my team's energy," she said. "That really helps me get going and so when I have good serve or a good dig I can always count on my teammates to back me up."

Central will play Cumberland Valley in the semifinals on Thursday, when they hope to get off to a better start than they did on Tuesday. For the second straight match Central York fell behind after the first game and then had to battle back to win.

Getting off to a strong start will be something the team will focus on before the semifinal match. "We'll do some things and put them in situations in practice where we emphasize that a little bit more," Ocasio said."

Central York def. Red Lion

21-25, 25-17, 25-14, 25-13

at Dallastown

Central York stats - Allison Rift (10 kills), Ashley Gallagher (8 kills, 13 digs), Emily Poole (19 kills, 2 blocks, 1 dig) Emma Saxton (1 ace, 1 kill, 1 block, 36 assists, 7 digs), Hannah RIshel (1 ace, 3 assists, 23 digs), Kamryn Stambaugh (1 ace 3 kills, 2 blocks, 1 dig), Karah Slow (2 aces, 1 kill, 10 digs), Laura Fahs (10 aces, 9 digs) Natalie Hawksworth (4 kills, 1 block, 1 dig).

Red Lion - Rachel Groff (2 digs, 26 assists, 2 kills), Brooke Gladfelter (4 blocks), Emily Sterner (6 digs, 3 aces), Lindsey Blevins (16 digs, 14 kills, 1 ace), Lauren Enfield (20 digs, 1 assist, 4 kills, 2 aces), Logan Dontell (13 digs, 4 kills, 4 aces), Kayla Johnson (2 digs, 1 kill), Jenna Enfield (18 digs, 1 ace).