By Ken Wunderley
Tri-State Sports & News Service
JOHNSTOWN - Corry High School's win in the PIAA Class 2A title had more significance than the obvious.
"It's not only the first PIAA title for our program," Corry coach Kelly Goodsel said. "It's the first PIAA title, in any sport, for our high school. Twenty years ago [1996] we had a softball team make it to the finals, but we're the first to win a state title. This is something we will remember for a long, long time."
Corry (22-0), the District 10 champion, recorded a 3-0 sweep of District 5 champ North Star in the title match, held Nov. 19.
"This is amazing to be a part of something great," Corry outside hitter Haley Kurelowech said. "To be the first team in Corry history, this is awesome. We made it to the semifinals two years ago and came up short, so this is definitely special."
North Star (22-2) was making its second straight appearance in a PIAA final. The Cougars lost to Bishop Canevin in last year's Class 1A final.
"I don't think anybody expected us to be here," North Star coach Tony Crisafulli said. "We came into a new territory, in Class 2A for the first time. We didn't know what to expect. The kids did a great job in pulling together and getting us as far they did."
Corry didn't look like a team that hadn't been in a state title match. The Beavers raced out to a 7-1 lead in the first set and rolled to a 25-19 victory.
"They jumped out early on us," Crisafulli said. "It didn't seem like we were ready to play. We just didn't execute today and came up a little short. It just didn't happen today."
Corry was even more impressive in the second set. The Beavers jumped out to an 8-1 lead en route to a 25-16 victory. Setter Megan Dennis recorded 5 serving aces in the set, while teammate Ryann Brundage recorded 4 kills.
"I think our serving and passing were huge," Goodsel said. "We served really tough, which kept them from getting into system. I think we handled their serves well. They had maybe one ace and a few balls we couldn't set."
Corry's biggest task was to contain North Star middle hitter Jackie Stanko, a two-time PVCA All-Star.
"Don't let them set her," Goodsel said. "And you do that by serving real tough, so that the passes are off the net and the setter has a more difficult time getting the ball to her."
Stanko led all hitters with 24 kills, but it wasn't enough to offset Corry's balanced attack. Haley Kurelowech led the Beavers with 10 kills, Brundage had 7, Megan Steele had six, and Meg Goodsel had 5.
North Star turned it its best effort in the third set, and led 12-11 at one point, but Corry pulled out a 26-24 win to clinch the historic title. A kill by Steele capped the victory.
"It was just a surreal moment," said Steele of her set-winning spike. "It really hasn't sunk in yet, but it feels awesome. I couldn't ask for a better way to end my senior year."
Both schools were well represented, as fans filled Pine-Richland High School's main gym.
"You saw the orange in the stands today," said Goodsel, referring to the school colors of orange & black. "The fans were unbelievable. We had at least 600, maybe as many as 800 fans. They drove 3 1/2 hours to see us and now they are driving home in a snowstorm. That's dedication."
Corry's toughest match may have come in the semifinals. The Beavers faced District 10 rival North East and rallied from a two-set deficit to win a 3-2 marathon match.
"We played North East six times and the set record was 11-8 or 10-9," Goodsel said. "It was an epic battle all season with them. Those matches certainly helped to prepare us for the title match."