POTTSVILLE – Panther Valley didn’t go quietly.

In a matchup between two of the top teams in Schuylkill League Division I, undefeated Pottsville controlled the first two sets Tuesday before the Panthers found their footing, extended the match with a third-set victory and made a push toward forcing a decisive fifth set.

The Crimson Tide ultimately had too much firepower, holding off Panther Valley for a 25-17, 25-19, 20-25, 25-22 victory.

Pottsville improved to 9-0 overall and 7-0 in Division I, while Panther Valley fell to 8-2 and 5-2.

“They showed me a lot,” Pottsville coach Marie Sherakas said of the Panthers’ attempt to extend the match.

Pottsville’s strength at the net helped it take control early. Anna Burke, Ava Schwartz and Rhyan Brennan combined for 42 kills as the Crimson Tide raced to a 14-3 advantage in the opening set.

“We can be (dominating) at times, but we have our moments,” Sherakas said with a laugh. “Some are battling through some colds. ... When we play well together, pass well, move the ball well, communicate well and our offense runs fast, we do it impressively.”

The Crimson Tide carried that momentum into the second set behind setter Megan Yost and the attacking of Burke, Schwartz and Brennan.

“Everything runs through Megan,” Sherakas said. “She really runs the offense. You can see her (doing) it.”

But Panther Valley began to show signs of life late in the second set.

Trailing 22-11, the Panthers put together an 8-0 run to close the gap to three. Kathryn Breslin contributed a well-placed kill during the surge before Pottsville recovered to close out the set, 25-19.

“I will tell you, we just need to settle down and get some consistency,” Panther Valley coach Nancy Frieler said. “We are capable of playing better. You saw that in the (third and fourth) sets.”

The Panthers carried that momentum into the third.

JaeLynn Browdy, Jessica Hackash, Sophia Paton, Danika Blazosky, Breslin and Madeline Scherer all contributed as Panther Valley turned the match around and earned a 25-20 victory to force a fourth set.

Browdy led the Panthers with 22 kills, and also recorded 19 assists and seven digs. Breslin added nine kills, 12 assists and nine digs, while Hackash contributed six kills and 12 digs. Scherer anchored the defense with 17 digs.

“Once we get our balance, they can play this game,” Frieler said. “You know, we go through growing pains at times. We just need to get more confidence.”

Panther Valley continued to push in the fourth, moving in front 13-10 behind a pair of Hackash kills.

Pottsville responded and eventually built a 22-17 advantage, but the Panthers weren’t finished.

An ace by Scherer, two kills from Browdy and another from Paton helped Panther Valley pull within 23-22 and put itself within striking distance of forcing a fifth set.

The Crimson Tide answered one final time, getting late kills from both Burke and Schwartz to finish off the 25-22 victory and close out the match.

BY THE NUMBERS ... Brennan recorded 24 digs for Pottsville, Schwartz added 23 digs and Burke finished with 15 kills.