Defending PIAA AA volleyball champion Bethlehem Catholic started this year’s District 11 tournament seeded fourth, but proved they have their hearts set on doing better.

They played fifth-seeded Panther Valley and won rather easily, 3-0.

The game, played in Becahi’s gym, was a breeze despite two key players missing due to concussions.

Head coach Paul Abi-Daher, in his fourth year and who guided the team to the district championship in each of his past three seasons, felt his team is even better than what was on the court Thursday night.

“All things considered, our middle hitter was out with a concussion,” he said. “Now a center is out with a concussion.”

“Overall, we played hard,” he said.

The Panthers biggest headache was playing the nets.

The Hawks had height, including an all-state outside hitter, senior Jordan Young, who could spike with enormous velocity.

The result was the Hawks wore the Panthers down in the three games, winning 25-18, 25-15 and 25-13.

Panther Valley led only three times the whole night. In the first game, they had a 1-0 lead, although they hung tight for the first third of the contest. In the second game they tied the Hawks 5-5 before becoming victims of a 12-3 scoring rampage, thanks in part to a trio of kills by Young.

In game three, PV led 4-2 before the opponent rallied back with a 16-5 rally.

Panthers coach Nancy Filer admitted that size made the difference in the game.

“You can’t teach height,” she said. “You either have it or you don’t.”

Of Bethlehem Catholic, Filer said, “They’re a good team. They’re strong. They have a lot of numbers to work the corners.”

She praised her players for never quitting in the contest. “I’m proud of them,” she said. “They did the best they could.”

For Panther Valley, senior Jamey Mikovich at 10 kills, two blocks and six digs.

Cassidy Ryan had three kills, four service points and eight digs. Kelsey Van Horn contributed one kill, nine assists, five service points and one ace.

Chloe Markovich and Danielle Hudicka each had two kills.

Young had nine kills, while junior Rachel Tanczos had seven kills for the Golden Hawks. Middle back Gabrielle Lapointe contributed 21 digs.