MOUNTAIN TOP — It’s been a steady climb for Northwestern Lehigh’s girls volleyball program.

Step by step, the Tigers have made progress over the past five seasons, building toward a milestone that had previously eluded them.

That progress carried Northwestern to its first appearance in the PIAA tournament Wednesday night. But the Tigers ran into an experienced Crestwood team on its home floor, and the Comets showed why they are a contender.

Crestwood swept Northwestern 25-16, 25-17, 25-19 in the opening round of the PIAA Class 4A tournament, improving to 19-3 and advancing to the second round.

For the Tigers, the loss ended a breakthrough season under fifth-year coach Mike Maston.

“I’m proud of the way we played; we had great effort, but this is new to the program, never having been in a state playoff before,” Maston said.

Despite dealing with injuries, Crestwood relied on its veteran leadership and balanced attack.

“We had a few injuries so we weren’t (at full) strength,” Crestwood coach Jeff Stec said. “We are undersized right now because of those injuries.”

Outside hitter Lilah Barrett helped set the tone with powerful swings, while Olivia Lazo and Lia Angeles both provided a strong presence at the net against Northwestern senior Anna Ebeling.

Senior setter Lexi Chandler directed the Comets’ offense, finishing with 35 assists and nine kills.

“(Barrett) is one of our team leaders, and we get a lot out of Lexi with her all-around play,” Stec said. “She is such a good setter, it makes things easy for our (hitters) to control things.”

Northwestern showed flashes of its potential in the opening set.

After falling behind 15-8, the Tigers battled back behind junior Kayla Schaffer, senior Marina Breininger and Ebeling. But Crestwood answered with a six-point run late in the set to secure a 25-16 victory.

“You could see that the big stage was affecting us,” Maston said.

The Comets carried that momentum into the second set, building a 19-10 advantage behind contributions throughout their lineup.

Along with Barrett and Chandler, Audrey Rymar, Kyleigh McCue and Olivia Hogan all helped Crestwood maintain control on its way to a 25-17 win.

But Northwestern saved its strongest response for the third set.

Trailing 20-11, the Tigers suddenly found their rhythm, putting together a spirited rally that forced Crestwood to call its first timeout of the match.

Libero Lexi George provided a spark from the service line as Northwestern scored eight of the next nine points, including six straight during George’s service run.

Ebeling, Jessie Unrath and Gracie Schellhamer also contributed as the Tigers trimmed the deficit to 21-19.

For a stretch, Northwestern had the Comets on their heels.

Crestwood eventually regrouped, closing out the set 25-19 with a pair of aces to complete the sweep.

The late surge, however, offered a glimpse of the determination that had carried Northwestern to the state tournament for the first time.

“It was a great run for us, and we will learn and build from this experience,” Maston said.

For a program that has steadily raised its expectations over the past five years, Wednesday’s result was yet another learning experience.

The Tigers’ season ended on Crestwood’s home floor, but their first appearance on the state stage represented another step forward — and a milestone they hope to build upon.