Austin’s 16-2 season has earned the Lady Panthers the No. 4 seed in the District 9 Class 1A volleyball playoffs. They will host Northern Potter on Tuesday, looking to advance to the quarterfinals.
The teams met twice during the regular season, and Austin won both times. The Lady Panthers first beat Northern Potter in straight sets, then rallied from two sets down for a five-set victory, 23-25, 24-26, 25-22, 25-19 and 15-7.
That comeback showed the team’s ability to stay composed under pressure. Anna Brewer directed the offense with 49 assists, while Cailyn Ogden led the attack with 39 kills and added two blocks. Marissa Stuckey contributed 13 kills and a block, and Mary Clinger added five kills and four aces.
Austin enters the postseason with several players who have reached major milestones. Ogden has recorded 500 career kills as a sophomore. Brewer reached 1,000 career assists, and Clinger passed 500 digs. Senior Stuckey adds experience and another strong presence at the net.
If Austin advances past Northern Potter, it will host either A-C Valley or DuBois Central Catholic in the quarterfinals Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Elk County Catholic earned the top seed. Otto-Eldred, which defeated Austin twice during the regular season, is the No. 2 seed and will await the Ridgeway-Union winner.
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