The Tri-Valley Bulldogs have made history by advancing to their first-ever state championship game after defeating the Linville Hill Warriors in a thrilling semifinal match on March 15, 2024. The Bulldogs secured their victory in four sets with scores of 25-22, 26-24, 4-25, and 25-20 at Cocalico High School in Denver, Pennsylvania. This win marks a significant milestone for the program, which is vying for its inaugural state title.
Tri-Valley faced a formidable opponent in Linville Hill, who entered the match with an impressive undefeated record of 22-0. The Warriors were the only team remaining without a loss in the PIAA Class 1A bracket this season. Tri-Valley coach Courtney Schreib emphasized the importance of winning the first set against such a strong team. “It’s scary going up against an undefeated team,” said Schreib. “However, we also knew that we could kind of maybe use that to our advantage if we got in their head because they haven’t had to fight this season yet.”
The Bulldogs came into the match with momentum after a decisive quarterfinal sweep over Faith Christian. They took an immediate lead in the first set, jumping to an 11-3 advantage after a remarkable eight-point run. Although Linville Hill managed to tie the score at 15-15 and even took a brief lead, Tri-Valley rallied to win six of the final nine points, clinching the set 25-22. Junior Faith Melocheck, who led the Bulldogs with nine kills in the first set, finished the match with an outstanding total of 23 kills, 11 digs, and one block assist.
The second set showcased a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with 19 ties throughout. After falling behind at 18-17, Tri-Valley surged ahead with four consecutive points, only to see Linville Hill rally back to tie again at 21-21. After an intense exchange, a service error from Linville Hill and a decisive kill from Liv Lupole secured the Bulldogs the second set at 26-24, giving them a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
However, the third set proved challenging for Tri-Valley, as they struggled to score and fell behind 14-1 due to a relentless run from Linville Hill. Despite a brief recovery, the Bulldogs lost the set 25-4. “We took the time between the third and fourth set just to say some prayers and to calm ourselves,” Schreib explained. “The fourth set is a brand-new start.”
The Bulldogs entered the fourth set with renewed focus. Although Linville Hill maintained a slight lead early on, Tri-Valley refused to let them build a substantial advantage. After tying the match at 14-14, the Bulldogs gained momentum with a seven-point serving streak from Lupole, pushing their lead to 21-14. Linville Hill fought hard to stay in the match, narrowing the gap to 22-18, but it was not enough. A well-placed knuckleball serve from Callie Melocheck sealed the match for Tri-Valley, sending them to the state championship.
With their historic semifinal victory behind them, the Bulldogs are now focused on the upcoming state championship game against District 10 champions Maplewood High School, who hold a record of 22-2 this season. The final is set for March 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg. Excitement is palpable among the Bulldogs as they prepare for this momentous occasion. “I am so excited and it’s just an amazing feeling,” Lupole shared, capturing the team’s enthusiasm as they look to bring home their first state title.
