Garnet Valley stops Spring-Ford’s state playoff hopes in PIAA qualifier

CONCORD » After two relatively lopsided sets Friday afternoon, Spring-Ford made clear in the third set, with its season on the line, that it wouldn’t go quietly against Garnet Valley.

The 11th-seeded Rams applied pressure, taking a lead for the first time since the opening points of their District 1 Class 4A fifthplace game. Garnet’s response, as it had been so often Friday, was to find the hot hands to take them to a second straight states berth.

A run of two kills each from outside hitter Emma Rokosky and middle blocker Samantha Mann turned the tide, allowing No. 8 seed Garnet Valley to sweep to a 3-0 win over the Rams, 2515, 25-16 and 25-21.

The win permits the Jaguars (17-5) to continue their defense of the PIAA Class 4A title. Like last year, they enter the tournament as District 1’s fifth seed and follow the westerly path, starting with the District 3 champ next Tuesday, either Hempfield or Exeter.

When the going got tough Friday, the Jaguars went to their two most reliable scoring sources. With the third game tied at 17, Rachel Cain twice set Rokoksy on the outside left for the junior to swoop in and crush kills that stemmed the tide of momentum and put Garnet Valley up for good.

“A lot of times, it’s us who get the glory, but it all starts with the back row, too,” Rokosky said. “The back row gets a great pass, Rachel gets a great set and that’s how the kill is made. It’s not all us.”

Spring-Ford often dug early holes from which it couldn’t recover. Patterson provided four first-set kills to provide the Jags’ separation. Cain started the second set with four straight service points, and SpringFord was never closer than two points the rest of the way. And Garnet led 8-3 in the third behind the serving of Jordan Gallagher before the Rams rallied, aided by uncharacteristic Garnet errors.

Despite 28 combined digs from Grace Kraft, Lauren Stenson and Carolyn Norwicke, the Rams couldn’t consistently put their big hitters in. On the rare occasions they did, Amber Goldberg (23 digs) and Gallagher (11) made sure the balls didn’t hit the floor. PERKIOMEN VALLEY 3, PENNSBURY 1 » The No. 5 seed Vikings defeated No. 3 Pennsbury in the District 1-4A third-place game Friday to determine PIAA seedings.

Set scores were 23-25, 2520, 25-22, 25-23. Perk Valley will face District 11 champion Parkland on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at a site and time to be determined.

Field hockey

UPPER PERKIOMEN 3, GREAT VALLEY 2 » The Indians won the District 1-2A third-place game to enter next week’s state tournament on a winning note.

Upper Perk got goals from Abriana Gatto (one assist), Liz Fox and AiYi Young. Hope Flack added an assist.

UP (19-4) led statistically, 12-9 in corners, 11-4 in shots. Great Valley’s goals were scored by Tessa Liburatosscolli and Kate Dinsmore. CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3, OWEN J. ROBERTS 2 » OJR lost on the road at CB East in the third-place game in District 1 Class 3A. As the No. 4 seeds, OJR will meet the District 12 champion on the opening round of states on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

OJR goals were scored by Jenna Kirby and Sarah Garritano.

Football

PERKIOMEN SCHOOL 29, ST. ANDREW’S 7 » The Panthers ended their season on a high-note, posting a nonconference win over the Cardinals.

The win brings Perk’s season to a finish at 5-3 overall, an impressive feat considering the team’s roster boasted only 23 players.

“I’m happy for the success these kids had this season,” said head coach Tom Calvario. “I don’t know how we did it, but we did. I couldn’t be happier for them — to be able to do what they’ve done says a lot about them.”