MACUNGIE - Thanks to different qualifying rules and the addition of another class, the Weatherly volleyball team returned to the district playoffs for the first time since 2010..

Despite the Wreckers' less than stellar 4-16 record, third-year coach Kristy Fiore was going to do her best to have her No. 6-seeded squad ready to take on the No. 3-seeded Salem Christian Academy.Weatherly showed that early, building a big first-game lead. But the Eagles stormed back and went on to a 25-23, 25-12, 25-11 victory."I would be lying if I didn't say I'm disappointed that we didn't win," Fiore said. "This was a great experience to make it to districts, especially after a six-year absence."I'm happy the team got the chance to play in the postseason. But, I just wish the outcome was reversed for the sake of my players."At one point in the opening game, Weatherly held a six-point lead (7-1), and then later a seven point lead (15-8). But that was before the Atlantic Coast Christian Athletic Conference runners-up took the District 11 Class 1A playoff match into their own hands.The Wreckers pushed the Eagles to the limit, forcing three different lead changes toward the end of the first game. But the Wreckers just couldn't find the way to finish them off.In the second game, the Wreckers and Eagles battled back-and-forth early, before the Eagles went on a 15-3 run en route to a 25-12 win."I think Weatherly's record is deceiving. It doesn't indicate how good they are and how good they played," Salem Christian Academy head coach Mackenzie Lee said. "Their first game was extremely challenging for our girls, and they covered the court really, really well. Their free balls were placed on the court on our side, so we had to constantly move our feet."They were swinging that whole first game too, which is what kind of took us back a couple of notches."With the Eagles leading 4-3 in game three, they gradually pulled away for a decisive victory.With the win, Salem Christian advances to Thursday's semifinals against No. 2-seeded Nativity in Minersville.Meanwhile, the Wreckers season comes to end."I'm happy with the season and the great group of girls I have the privilege of coaching," Fiore said. "Win or lose, I'm proud of them, and hope they know anything can happen when you work hard."It just wasn't our turn this year, but next year is a whole new volleyball season."SECOND CHANCE ...This season marked only the second time the Wreckers made it to the District 11 playoffs since the initiation of the program in 2002.SEVEN IS ENOUGH ...Salem Christian's roster consisted of just seven players.WRECKERS' STARS ...Sophomore Emily Zoscin paced the Wreckers with 10 service points, five aces and two kills. Junior Samantha Andreuzzi added six service points, three kills and two aces.