In the rubber match of this season’s series between the Emmaus and Parkland girls volleyball teams, neither team gave in, and several sets were decided by just a few points. One set even went well past the 25-point mark that usually ends a game.

The third-seeded Green Hornets (18-7 overall) played energized and were ready for the bright lights, but their fight came up just short, and the fifth-seeded Trojans (17-5) once again stepped up when it mattered most in winning the District 11 Class 4A title 3-1 by scores of 35-33, 25-17, 17-25, 25-16 last Thursday night at Catasauqua High School. It was the sixth straight district championship for Parkland.

The opening set was the most points scored and the longest either team has gone this season in an exciting back-and-forth set to the very end. Neither team had a lead of more than three points throughout the set, and the Green Hornets had more opportunities to close it out, but were unable to find that last point as seven different times they held match point, but the Trojans would not give up.

“It wasn’t mistake-oriented,” said Parkland head coach Mike Krause. “It was point-oriented. That’s the part I was proud of. Emmaus wasn’t making errors. We weren’t making errors. It was a battle. I told the girls, that’s what championships are about. Kudos to Emmaus, because they just kept on bringing the heat and playing, and we kept on playing.

“It actually was fun. I was crediting Brianne [Giangiobbe]. I was so proud of her team. We were fortunate to get the upper hand and I think that gave the kids confidence heading into the second set.”

Parkland kept up its momentum in the second set, taking an 18-11 lead and holding on to be just one win away. Emmaus would take set three 25-17 before the Trojans got the better of the Hornets in the fourth.

“We practice coming back and fighting for those points,” said Parkland senior Lauren Ceh. “I think all of us on the court knew that getting that set was going to be a huge momentum swing. It was really crucial. We came way too far to let that drop.”

Sophomore Brynn Dreisbach led the way with 14 kills and 14 digs. Amber Resendez had 10 kills, and Ceh and Sydney Esquieres contributed eight apiece. Ceh also had five blocks. Leah Brunnabend tallied a team-high 19 digs. Junior setter Jackie Malitzki recorded 44 assists.