MINERSVILLE — A 3-0 win in volleyball doesn’t necessarily mean the match was easily won.

Panther Valley shut out Nativity Monday night, but every game was close; a grueling battle by both squads. For most of the event, there was only a three-point or less difference in score.

The Panthers emerged victorious 25-21, 25-21, 25-22 in the quarterfinals of the Schuylkill League tournament, held in the Minersville High School gym.

PV advances to the semifinals tonight against Tri-Valley at Martz Hall in a match starting at around 6:45 p.m.

Nativity coach Jennifer Daubert was gracious in defeat.

“That’s an incredible team on the other side (of the net),” Daubert said. “There’s a reason they only have three losses.”

One main reason for the Panthers victory was the aggressiveness and potency of their front line, especially the strength shown by outside hitter JaeLynn Browdy.

Browdy, a senior, has kill shots that rival the speed and accuracy of a meteorite. Several times in the contest, especially in the final set, she produced the big plays which payed big dividends toward the win.

For the night, Browdy was credited with 14 kills, 19 assists, six service points, four aces and three digs.

Sophomores Kathryn Breslin and Sophia Paton both also proved tough, combining for 19 kills and eight blocks.

Panther Valley coach Nancy Filer said the team has been showing improvement.

“They’re talking to each other,” she said. “They’re starting to know where everybody is on the court. They’re starting to gel, so I’m excited. They’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing at the end of the season.”

The match was tied on 22 occasions, including seven times in the first game and 13 times in the third.

In the first game, Nativity led for two-thirds of the way — although never by more than three points — before the Panthers had their first lead at 18-17. Three kills were recorded by Browdy in the final third of the game to help PV hang on for the victory.

At the start of Game Two, the Panthers had their biggest lead of the night, jumping in front by five points. They raced to a 5-0 start on five service points by Browdy, and managed to control the tempo for a good while before a stubborn Nativity team came clawing back.

Nativity tied it at 17. It was tied again at 19 before the Panthers outperformed their opponent. An error gave PV a 20-19 lead, then a blocked shot by Browdy that fell on the Nativity side of the net made it 21-19. PV finished with a 5-2 run to emerge with the win.

Game Three was a hard-fought event with the Panthers pulling into the lead 12 times after the score was tied. At the end, with the game tied at 21, a net serve, a kill by Paton, a tap over the net to an opening by Breslin, and an ace by Breslin sealed the victory.

“For them, nothing hits the ground,” said Daubert of PV’s defense. “We had 86 hitting attempts for the night for three sets. With that being said, we were getting opportunities to hit the ball. But they were digging a lot.

“They certainly keep the pressure on all the time. Kudos to them for coming out on top.”

This was the second meeting this year for PV and Nativity. The Panthers also won the first match, 3-0.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP ... Tri-Valley is undefeated in the Schuylkill League, and 17-1 overall. In their 18 matches, the Bulldogs won 56 games and lost only five. Filer is confident with her Panthers. When told they have just one loss, she smirked, “So far.” She said of the Panthers, “I’m thinking they’re tough enough.” The game tonight is the second in a double-header. In the first game, Pine Grove plays Pottsville.

GAME STATS ... For the night, Browdy had 14 kills, 19 assists, six service points, four aces and three digs. Breslin produced nine kills, 17 assists, three blocks, three service points, one ace and eight digs. Sophia Paton had 10 kills, five blocks, six service points, two aces and two digs. Danika Blazosky had four kills, one assist, 10 service points, two aces, and 10 digs. For Nativity, the team had 24 kills total, led by freshman Molly Holiday with nine. Senior Amara Miller was credited with 17 digs.

NEW LIBERO FOR PV ... Sophomore Jovie Breiner filled-in at the libero position for PV. Senior Madeline Schirer, who has been doing an excellent job all season, was unable to play because of a health matter. Still, she attended the game to support her fellow teammates.

Panther Valley 3, Nativity 0

Panther Valley 25 25 25

Nativity 21 21 22

Records: Panther Valley (18-3) Nativity (13-8).