Valley Sports ReportATHENS — District 2 champion Berwick got off to quick starts in each of the first two sets and rolled to a sweep of Athens here Tuesday night in the opening round of the PIAA, Class 3A volleyball playoffs.
The Bulldogs, now 19-1, topped the Wildcats by scores of 25-12, 25-12, and 25-16.
The girls fought hard, (but) Berwick is a solid team all around," said Athens coach Heather Darrow.
"This was a great experience for a very young team — experience-wise and age-wise.
"The improvements in this team from the first game of the season to now are phenomenal," noted Darrow. "It’s been an amazing season of growth.
"The girls should be so very proud of themselves, I know I am," added Darrow.
Berwick jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first set, and stretched its advantage to 12-2.
Athens pulled within seven points, at 15-8, but the Bulldogs took its biggest lead of the match at 23-10, then matched it at 25-12.
The second set started out in much the same fashion as the Bulldogs raced out to an 8-0 lead, and led by as many as 14 points on four occasions, the last being at 24-10.
Berwick led throughout the third set, and stretched its lead out late in the set.
The District 4 champion Wildcats wrap up the season at 9-12, but only graduate one senior in Regan McDaniel.
We will very much miss Regan, who was an exceptional leader, comic relief, and all-around awesome human," said Darrow. "We love Regan and wish her all the best."
With the roster returning nearly en tact, Darrow has high hopes for 2026.
"We lose one senior and return our strongest hitter Ellie Mosher, who will only be a junior," said Darrow. "We also have Kendall Galasso and Lainey Vosburgh — both juniors next year — who were instrumental in this turn-around season
"Meg (Wiles), Ella (Raynor), Emma (Mallare), Alana (Reyes) and Hannah (Parrish) — all seniors next year — have gained incredible experience from this opportunity and will be extremely motivated for the next level next season.
"Kayla Forbes, who is now a freshman, made her mark as a libero / (defensive specialist) and I'm excited to see what the future has in store for her and all of these hard workers," noted Darrow. "Two more freshmen this season — Lilly Miller and Addi Moss — were moved up to varsity at the end of the season, and as long as they keep working in the offseason, they will definitely make an impact on the team next year.
"We were young this season — inexperienced and young in age," said Darrow. "By next fall, that doesn’t get to be an excuse anymore.
"This team was young and experienced a lot of growth this season; that experience will be an asset for next season," added Darrow. "Along with that, there are a ton of hungry 8th- and 9th-graders who are going to be working their butts of in the offseason."
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior Meg Wiles. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens sophomore Ellie Mosher. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
