Bethlehem Catholic needed to play five games in their district semifinal and championship match before heading to states.

Ever since then, the Hawks have had an easier time of dispatching opponents, as Bethlehem Catholic prepared to take on Berks Catholic Tuesday night in the PIAA 2A semifinals.

Becahi defeated Delone Catholic and Pope John Paul II in their past two state matchups and were ready to make history on Tuesday night, as this is the deepest a Becahi girls volleyball team has lasted in the state tournament since 1991. The results of last night's contest are past Press deadlines, but head coach Paul Abi-Daher hopes the dream ride to Saturday's state final continues.

"I've always known that this team has had the talent to make a run," he said, "I just wasn't sure if it would all come together. We have the experience of being here and the momentum as well. I am surprised by how intense some of our girls have been playing. We've been on a roll."

Becahi (21-2) took care of District 3 runner-up, Delone Catholic, in four games last week, dismantling them 25-21, 27-25, 17-25, 25-19 to end a two-year skid of losing in the first round of states.

The chance at revenge for those two losses came in Saturday's quarterfinal round where they knocked off District 1 champion Pope John Paul II, the same team that bounced Becahi out of states in each of the last two seasons.

The Hawks dropped the first game in this match 19-25, but came back to win the next three 25-13, 25-22, 25-18.

With Berks Catholic entering last night's match as the District 3 champion, Abi-Daher knew that things would not come easy, despite his team's fine form so far in state play.

"One thing about matches at this point of the season is that you don't know much about your opponents," said Abi-Daher. "I think that has helped us so far, because teams really haven't been able to pinpoint our weaknesses. We know that Berks Catholic has a good girl in the middle, so we'll have to adjust with some quick sets and see what works, but whenever you can get on top of teams at this point, it's going to help you."

With Parkland, Bethlehem Catholic and Marian reaching the state's final four, Abi-Daher would love to see the trio of District 11 champs contend for the state titles in Johnstown.

"I've always thought that whoever can make it out of the east can win the state title," he said. "I think it would be great for District 11 to have all three of us playing on Saturday. I hope it happens."