Panther Valley had the unpleasant task in the opening round of the District 11 Class AA volleyball playoffs of facing defending state champion Bethlehem Catholic, which also has been the district champion for the past three years.

The Panthers matched the Golden Hawks in most positions except where it counted the most - at the net.The Hawks had height, including an all-state outside hitter, senior Jordan Young, who could spike with enormous velocity.The result was the Hawks wore the Panthers down in three games, winning 25-18, 25-15 and 25-13.Panther Valley led only three times the whole night. In the first game, they had a 1-0 lead, although they hung tight for the first third of the contest. In the second game they tied the Hawks 5-5 before becoming victims of a 12-3 scoring rampage, thanks in part to a trio of kills by Young.In game three, PV led 4-2 before Becahi came back with a 16-5 rally.Panthers coach Nancy Filer admitted that size made the difference in the game."You can't teach height," she said. "You either have it or you don't."Of Bethlehem Catholic, Filer said, "They're a good team. They're strong. They have a lot of numbers to work the corners."She praised her players for never quitting in the contest. "I'm proud of them," she said. "They did the best they could."Becahi coach Eric Hoehler, in his fourth year and who guided the team to the district championship in each of his past three seasons, said his team wasn't up to par with two key players out with concussions."All things considered, our middle hitter was out with a concussion," he said. "Now a center is out with a concussion.""Overall, we played hard,"For Panther Valley, senior Jamey Mikovich had 10 kills, two blocks and six digs. Cassidy Ryan had three kills, four service points and eight digs. Kelsey Van Horn contributed one kill, nine assists, five service points and one ace.Chloe Markovich and Danielle Hudicka each had two kills.Young had nine kills, while junior Rachel Tanczos had seven kills for the Golden Hawks. Middle back Gabrielle Lapointe contributed 21 digs.