NTL VOLLEYBALL: ATHENS COMEBACK FALLS JUST SHORT IN FIVE-SET LOSS TO NORTH PENN-LIBERTY (24 PHOTOS) (September 3, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Athens nearly dug itself out of a big hole, but its comeback efforts came up just short in a five-set loss to North Penn-Liberty here Thursday night in NTL Large School Division volleyball action.

The Wildcats won the first set 25-20, but the Mounties answered with wins of  26-24 and 25-23. Athens evened the match with a 25-17 win in the fourth set.

North Penn-Liberty pulled out a 16-14 win in the decisive fifth set.

"NP-L's defense was incredible," said Athens coach Heather Darrow. "They blocked and dug us on every hit. 

"We found different ways to get kills, but against that lights out defense, it was tough.

"We were a little hesitant or making assumptions in our play tonight instead of using communication so there were balls dropping that typically don't," noted Darrow.
 
"What a close game ... NP-L did not let a ball drop and honestly neither did we," added Darrow. "In the end, it came down to to a tight fifth set. Point-for-point, the girls battled ... we went out swinging and I'm proud of them." 

Senior Meg Wiles led Athens with eight service points and 36 setter assists, while Sophomore Kayla Forbes had 23 digs and one ace, and junior Ellie Mosher registered 13 kills.

Senior Hannah Parrish and freshman Evelyn Roy each recorded 10 kills for Athens, and junior Lainey Vosburgh had 12 points.

"Meg Wiles ran the court so well and we learned we need to keep mixing up the offense," said Darrow. "Kayla Forbes found her rhythm in the last sets and was all over the court making some crucial saves.

"Emma Mallare also stepped up in the middle and gave us four aces in a row, and Ev Roy had some huge kills for us

Ellie Mosher's serve-receive and digging game was great," noted Darrow. "She also had some really smart shots at the net

"Hannah Parrish stepped up on the right side and found a hole in their defense," said Darrow. "She made some very smart plays. 

"Emi McQuay found her swing in the fourth set that really helped us win that set," added Darrow. "And, Kendall Galasso ran some great slides along the net opening up opportunities for our other hitters."

Athens returns to action Tuesday at Canton. 

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IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior Meg Wiles. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens senior Emma Mallare. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.

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