Having a good showing at the state’s best high school volleyball tournament is nothing new for Emmaus.
Over the past four years, no program has had the kind of success that the Hornets have had competing in the 40-team Bobcat Invitational at Northeastern High School in Manchester, Pa.
After winning the championship in 2023 and reaching the finals in each of the last two years, Emmaus, the state’s No. 3 ranked team in AAA, had another incredible run on Saturday competing against some of the state’s best teams as they advanced all the way to the Final 4 before falling to the No. 1 ranked team in AA Meadville 2-0 (25-20, 25-20).
“The team played really well all day,’ said Hornets first year coach Chris Miller. “I am super proud of them on how they fought in the playoffs against the top teams in the state and won a lot of games. It was a tough loss against Meadville but there is nothing to be upset about losing to that team.”
“Ben Skekel, our senior setter, had one of the best days of his life and helped the team out all over the place by setting the ball up perfectly to getting the most blocks on the team and throwing some kills in there. He was very special to watch.”
On the day, the Hornets won 10 of 13 sets in their eight matches.
In pool play, Emmaus went unbeaten defeating New Oxford 30-16, Saegertown 30-19, Cedar Crest 30-25 and William Tennant 30-19. In the play-in bracket, the Hornets defeated Ambridge 15-11 and 15-12.
In the championship bracket, Emmaus defeated state No. 10 Warwick 15-13, 16-18, 15-13, Dallastown in the quarterfinals 15-12 and 15-13 before falling to Meadville. The District 10 squad wound up winning the championship defeating state No. 2 ranked in AA York Suburban 2-0 (25-19, 25-11).
Other local teams competing in the tournament included Parkland and Whitehall (5th), and Freedom and Southern Lehigh (9th).
Emmaus will return to action on Monday at 5:30 p.m. as they travel to Delaware Valley for a non-league match.
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