DISTRICT 4 VOLLEYBALL: ATHENS SHAKES OFF SLOW START TO BEAT SHAMOKIN IN FOUR SETS IN CLASS 3A SEMIFINALS (2025-10-27)


WILDCATS WILL FACE TOP-SEEDED DANVILLE IN CLASS 3A TITLE MATCH

Valley Sports Report
DANVILLE — After a shaky first set, second-seeded Athens settled in and dominated third-seeded Shamokin in a 3-1 win here Monday night in the semifinals of the District 4, Class 3A volleyball playoffs.

The Indians won the first set, 28-26, but the Wildcats answered with wins of 25-13, 25-9, and 25-11.

"We played tight the first set," said Athens coach Heather Darrow. "The tell-tale sign are over passes on serve-receive, and missing serves long. We missed on six serves that first set.

"After the first set we had a chat," noted Darrow. "They reset with my magical spark talk and stepped on the court putting the first set behind them and moving on to what needed to be taken care of for the next.

"The girls turned up the discipline and fire and moved on from errors," she said. "We became aware of the  court and started going to our lines to call the ball out, instead of just guessing and swinging.

"The entire team put in effort and it’s great to watch them support each other," added Hanson. "I'm proud of the fight the girls have, and we will continue to work hard and fight hard."

Sophomore Ellie Mosher registered 18 kills, five service aces, 13 digs, and five serve-receptions, and Darrow said her play early in the second set was a key.

"In that second set, we moved on from district game nerves and transitioned into playing the game the girls know how to play," said Darrow. "Of course big kills from Ellie Mosher got the girls fired up, and then our other hitters like Emma Mallare and Kendall Gallasso wanted in

"Then, Ellie Mosher stepped up her game in the third and fourth sets and hammered a few hits to really set the tone," added Darrow.

Junior Meg Wiles recorded 36 setter assists, 12 digs, three kills, and two aces.

"Meg Wiles ran the court and was such a leader tonight while also giving opportunities to all the hitters," said Darrow. "She eeven added a jump set tonight, which
was so exciting to see."

Freshman Kayla Forbes had 15 digs, and 19 serve-receptions in the win, while sophomore Lainey Vosburgh had four aces, 14 digs, and six serve-receptions, senior Regan McDaniel had four kills, two blocks, and four digs, junior Emma Mallare added four kills, and junior Hannah Parrish chipped in with three assists.

"Kayla Forbes ran sideline-to-sideline backing up our other defenders, while also taking care of her own spot," said Darrow. "She was quick tonight.

"Our other hitters stepped up tonight," noted Darrow. "Kendall Galasso had some really great hits tonight and  
Regan McDaniel owned the net tonight, especially on the last points of the match, and Emma Mallare had some really nice swings.

"Lainey Vosburgh had incredible serves that kept Shamokin out-of-system the rest of the match," added Darrow. "And, Hannah Parrish stepped up her defense game and it is so fun watching her and Meg work together."

Athens, now 8-11, will face top-seeded Danville (15-5) in the Class 3A title match Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Williamsport High School.

Last year, Athens swept Danville in the Class 3A semifinals, then lost in five sets to Shamokin in the finals.

"Beating Danville is going to take intensity and focus," said Darrow. "They have had a great season and are excited.

"However, so are the Wildcats," added Darrow. "It’s going to be quite a match."

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IN PHOTO: Athens' Ellie Mosher. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.



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