The Parkland girls volleyball team has taken on an unfamiliar role, but they have flourished. Being labeled as more of an underdog this postseason, the Trojans have risen to the top, just like they’ve done for most of this decade.

Parkland was the sixth seed in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Tournament and took down three teams seeded higher to win the championship. Now in the District 11 Class 4A Tournament, the Trojans are the fifth seed and have beaten two teams positioned better than them with a shot at a third for the title.

In their latest match, the Trojans defeated top-seed Liberty in straight sets by scores of 25-8, 25-16 and 27-25 Tuesday night at Catasauqua High School in the district semifinals.

“Our passing and defense were very strong, along with our serve location,” said head coach Mike Krause. “The serve allowed our defense time to position themselves to get a first contact to set up the offense. Jackie [Malitzi] set the hitters well with some good passing by Leah [Brunnabend], Scarlett [Jago] and Brynn [Dreisbach]. Jackie also had her 1000th assist on the season, and there’s only been two setters able to accomplish that in the past, Taylor and Kristin [Krause]. It is a team accomplishment.”

It is the eighth consecutive match win overall and fifth postseason victory as the Trojans continue to roll. Krause credits the strength and hard work of his team over the last few weeks for the continued growth.

“The girls gained confidence as they progressed through our strength training and conditioning,” Krause said. “They realized with their strength from the training in the weight room they developed power and endurance to make plays more consistently. Our seniors really helped the young girls develop from the beginning of the season to now.

“The assistant coaches and the managers helped the team progress in specific areas of the game through hard work in practice.”

Parkland’s momentum and motivation showed in the first two sets, racing out to big leads and never taking their foot off the gas pedal. The Hurricanes responded in the third set to push the Trojans to the brink, but it just wasn’t enough.

Dreisbach led the way with 15 kills and 13 digs, while Amber Resendez returned to the lineup after missing time due to injury and had 11 kills. Lauren Ceh tallied seven kills. Malitzki contributed 38 assists. Brunnabend recorded 19 digs and Emily Mohr had 10 digs.

Parkland will now take on rival and third seed Emmaus tonight back at Catasauqua in the final. The teams split their regular season matchups this season and always bring out the best in each other.

“I think it is an honor to once again play in the district final,” said Krause. “This group is proud of accomplishing what seemed a very difficult task at the season’s beginning by making the district final for the sixth straight season and ninth in the last 10. Emmaus will be a challenge our girls like to confront. We will work hard and prepare the best we can. Great senior leadership and outstanding assistant coaches and managers. We will do our best to be prepared for Emmaus.”