MINERSVILLE — It’s great to have experience, but sometimes a young team can grow up in a hurry.

Pottsville only has two seniors, and on Wednesday night in the Schuylkill League semifinals against Jim Thorpe, the youthful Crimson Tide completed a sweep of the Olympians, 25-15, 25-20, 25-12.

“We expected them to be a good match,” said Pottsville’s sophomore middle hitter Payton Kleckner. “They got a lot of our hits up and they put up a fight. We all-around play together this year, and we’re really close. I think that helps us when we’re on the court.”

Klecker led the Tide with nine kills during the victory. But she wasn’t the only underclassman to come up big for Pottsville.

Junior Elizabeth Rakus chipped in eight kills, and freshman Jules Plachko hammered home 10 kills and added 13 digs.

“Honestly, the girls were ready for Pottsville’s offense, but they’re a good team,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Victoria Nichols. “So are we. We just need to be faster on defense, and I’m proud of my girls for coming this far in league playoffs, and wish all of the other teams good luck.”

Set No. 2 featured many lead changes. The Olympians jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead, but Crimson sophomore Lexi Vandermartin had a pair of aces and some strong serving to help right the ship for the Tide.

The Olympians gained back momentum by grabbing the lead behind Tamara Encarnacion later in the set. The senior has a powerful serve and was dropping missiles on the Tide, when she had a streak of three-straight aces. But Pottsville pulled away toward the end of the set to close the door on Thorpe, and keep the energy on its side heading into the final match.

“Our biggest strength is that we work together so well, and we’re so close as a team,” added Kleckner.

The Thorpe trio of Brandy Montemuro, Kelsey Carroll, and Abbey McGinley combined for 48 digs. Montemuro supplied the firepower with eight kills, while Carroll dished out 11 assists.

EXCITED … Pottsville will take on Panther Valley on Thursday night at Martz Hall in the Schuylkill League championship game. “It’s exciting; the only time we played in Martz Hall was for a tournament,” said Pottsville senior Abbey Wapinsky. “It’s going to be a different atmosphere, but we will be ready.”

KUDOS … Amelia Painter’s teammates gave her a ton of credit after the game. The junior defensive specialist finished with 17 digs.

HELPERS … Pottsville sophomore Bella Varano finished the three-set match with a whopping 27 assists.

LOOKING AHEAD … It looks like the third-seeded Olympians will battle No. 2 Notre Dame of Green Pond in the Class 2A District 11 playoffs.