POCONO SUMMIT – Pleasant Valley couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season.

The Bears traveled to Pocono Mountain West Tuesday for their volleyball opener and came away with a sweep of the Panthers.

PV pounced as soon as the match began, pulling away to a 10-2 lead in the first set and never looking back to trounce PM West, 25-6. The Bears dominated from there on out by taking the second set, 25-12.

Pocono led during the third set, holding a 4-2 edge, before the Bears took control for good and cruised to a 25-12 decision to clinch the match.

“This was good, with the play of some new girls that are in that position that haven’t been there,” said Pleasant Valley head coach John Gesiskie. “We had to replace two middles this year. Two middles, that’s a big thing to replace. The confidence-builder starts with this — a good score, good play and team camaraderie helps with us moving forward.”

“Hopefully, we can grow from that so we’re ready for the Valley teams, which are our biggest competition.”

Senior Desi Powell had a big night with 16 kills and nine aces, while Cameron Caffrey led the Bears in assists with 26 and also had seven digs. Ari Weaver added eight kills and six aces.

Pleasant Valley’s main competition comes in the Mountain Division in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, and includes the Panthers, along with matches against school-rival Pocono Mountain East and both East Stroudsburg schools: North and South. Gesiskie’s team is in pursuit of its fifth consecutive Mountain Division title.

“We lost one of our starting middles, and she’s also our setter, yesterday in practice so we put a freshman in that position,” Gesiskie added.

“It was kind of drifty there at the beginning, but she picked up and was following directions. We played well for putting somebody in there that hasn’t been in there at all in a varsity game.

“I was happy with the way their play was. There are still some things we need to work on, making sure we get off the net on a free ball ...”

Pleasant Valley returns six seniors to its squad, which gives the team a veteran look. Joining them are less-experienced girls who will be seeing more playing time.

“Actually, it looks like we have a lot of seniors,” Gesiskie said. “Two of the seniors weren’t with us last year, so they returned back into the lineups this year. The one did injure herself. To kind of understand more about what’s going on; the longer you’re with the team, you understand what’s expected of you as a player.”

HOME GAME

… The Bears have their home opener Thursday against East Stroudsburg North and will be looking for their second win of the season.

25 AND COUNTING

… PV coach Gesiskie is in his 25th season and opened it on a positive note.

OTHER STATS ... Desi Beade chipped in with seven digs, while Madi Rosenberg contributed two kills and three blocks. Andrea Crilley also had two blocks and two assists.