SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Based on regular season results, the Jim Thorpe volleyball team was a significant underdog on Tuesday against Blue Mountain.

Heck, the Roman Empire had less of a chance at being uprooted than these Olympians had of usurping the Eagles.

But no one told that to Jim Thorpe.

In a District 11 Class 3A quarterfinal round matchup, the Olympians pushed Blue Mountain to the limit before dropping a 25-19, 9-25, 26-28, 25-23, 18-16 decision.

It was a terrific effort from Thorpe, especially when one considers it never scored a single set win in the two previous regular season Schuylkill League Division I sweeps for the Eagles.

“We came in knowing it was going to be a tough match, especially playing away,” said Jim Thorpe coach Will Ramey. “Blue Mountain was never out of it, and neither were our kids.”

Thorpe grabbed the momentum in the second set when senior Kristin Pompa reeled off eight-straight points to vault her team to a 12-2 lead. It was the bullet that Thorpe needed to send a message across the bow of the Blue Mountain ship.

Jim Thorpe dominated from that point on behind a host of players that included Brianna Snisky, Brooke Mitzen, Riley Pastor and Alley Ramey.

“Every one of our kids stepped up,” Ramey said. “Some kids came off the bench and played very well. It was a total team effort. I just wish it were a better outcome.”

The third set was a back-and-forth battle that was tied at 24-24. A return error by the Eagles gave Thorpe the lead, and it eventually finished off the victory when Ramey came up with a huge block for set point.

Blue Mountain was on the brink of being upset when Thorpe shot in front 20-15 in the fourth set. Three unforced errors allowed the Eagles to close to within 23-21. Blue Mountain then went on a four-point run to win it. The stretch included a key ace from Regina Gergely with the score knotted at 23-23.

“Our kids just kept hounding away, staying focused even though Jim Thorpe was putting a lot of pressure on us,” said first-year Blue Mountain coach Gregg Gergel.

There were good signs for Thorpe when it grabbed a 10-7 lead in the deciding fifth set behind the play of Ramey, Riley Scott and Leah Figura. The Olympians had a couple of match points they couldn’t convert, before the Eagles reeled off the final three points to turn a 16-15 deficit into the 18-16 victory. Paige Thomas, Isabelle Patton and Lisa Coolbaugh all came up big in Blue Mountain’s closing spurt.

“It was a shame that anyone had to lose this one,” said Gregely.

THE NUMBERS GAME … Pompa led Thorpe from the service line with 12 aces. Pastor was huge at the net with 11 kills, while Andi Hoherchak (36 assists), and Haylei James (17 digs) also made big contributions. Thomas had a big night for the winners with five kills and 18 assists, Gergely collected 26 digs and Abbie Heffner checked in with 24 assists.

OFF THE CHARTS … Thorpe had superb all-around play from just about everyone on the floor. Pastor, a lefty, gave the Eagles fits with her swing, and Pompa was just great in the serving department.

END OF THE LINE ... Thorpe finished the season with an 11-7 record. Blue Mountain advances to the District 11 semifinals where it will meet unbeaten Pottsville.