“We were able to rally in the first game,” Youngsville coach Barb Lutton said. “We just need to continue to improve and grow.”

The Eagles gave away points to start the match, as three of Cochranton’s first six points of the opening set came via Youngsville service errors. The Eagles battled back to pull within two at 8-6, but the Cardinals answered with a 5-2 run to make it 13-8. Youngsville clawed its way back to within two at 14-12, but Cochranton pulled away at that point and won the set 25-14.

Cochranton won the first point of the second set after a long volley, then quickly added five more to force Youngsville to take a timeout trailing 6-0. The Cardinals got to 9-0 before the Eagles got on the board, but Youngsville was able to get to 11-6 before Cochranton began racking up points. The Cardinals ended their 14-2 run with consecutive aces to pick up a 25-8 second set win.

“We have strong servers, we just need to work on our serve receive,” Lutton said.

Youngsville got the first three points of the third set, then Cochranton scored 18 of the next 20 points to go up 18-5 and force an Eagles timeout. Youngsville picked up another pair of points, but Cochranton completed the sweep with a 25-7 win.

“We felt like we were successful at Brockway (Tournament last weekend),” Lutton said. “We won some games, but this was a tough team.”

Taylor Walters led the Eagles with 10 service points. Emma Marino had four kills and 12 block assists, while Megan Foley chipped in 11 block assists and Amber Evans added three assists and seven service points.

Youngsville will host another region powerhouse when Maplewood comes to the Eagle’s Nest Thursday.

JV: COCHRANTON 2, YOUNGSVILLE 0

Cochranton won the junior varsity contest 25-5 and 25-11.

Krystal Kinney had five service points and Cameron Weisinger added four service points in the loss.

CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS 3, EISENHOWER 0

Even though Eisenhower was swept at Cambridge Springs 25-10, 25-18 and 25-10, coach Scott Olson continues to see improvement from his young team.

“When I was hired, they told me this was a meat grinder of a region, and the competition is way above what I’ve seen in the past,” Olson said.

“Having said that, for the first time I felt like we belonged a bit.”

Olson said a few unforced errors at inopportune times was the difference in the match Tuesday.

Cameran Edwards had four kills, three assists and three digs in the loss. Currie Hultman had three kills and nine digs, while Caroline Hishman had seven assists and six digs.

“Hishman did a real nice job distributing the ball tonight,” Olson said. “Edwards had a strong defensive game, as did Crystal Work.”

With no seniors on the team, Olson is looking for competitiveness more than victories as his team wraps up a four-game stretch against region powers, including matches last week with Maplewood and Cochranton, against Saegertown Thursday.

“I really like where we’re headed right now,” he said. “Those four teams are at another level right now and we’ve got to catch them. We’re looking to be competitive first, and win second. We’re working to play our game and if we can get the balls back at them we’ll be alright. Somewhere along the way, I think we’re going to surprise some people.”

JV CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS 2,

EISENHOWER 1

Eisenhower couldn’t capitalize on a first set win as the junior varsity team fell to Cambridge Springs 24-26, 25-14 and 15-9.

Delaney Chase had three aces, five assists and four digs to lead the Eisenhower attack. Ashlee VanGuilder had three kills and two digs, and Catrina Edwards chipped in with two aces, a kill and six digs.

Olson noted improvement from his JV players as well, especially since Marah Maycock took over as the JV coach last week.

“She’s doing a fabulous job with the girls,” Olson said.

“They just looked like a more complete team tonight.”