Can Freedom get over the hump and make a run to the District 11 volleyball finals this year?

The Pates enter the 3A tournament in a tough class featuring top-seeded and EPC champion Emmaus, along with an always difficult Parkland squad and a determined Whitehall team looking for another shot at the Hornets in a title game.

The Pates come in as the third-seed and hosted sixth-seeded Dieruff in Tuesday’s quarterfinal action, which was past Press deadlines.

The winner moves on to play either second-seeded Whitehall or seventh-seeded Northampton in Thursday’s semifinals at Catasauqua.

The top half of the bracket has Emmaus with a bye, awaiting the winner of the eight-nine matchup between Allen and Easton. Nazareth and Parkland square off in possibly the best quarterfinal battle in a four-five showdown.

Finals are set for May 27 back at Catasauqua.

Freedom (15-4) lost to Parkland in the opening round of the EPC tournament and lost in five games to both Emmaus and Whitehall this season.