Although Greensburg Central Catholic and Frazier each captured a pair of victories in the head-to-head volleyball series this year, the Centurions enjoyed their wins much more. After sweeping the Commodores in the WPIAL championship earlier this month, Greensburg Central Catholic outlasted Frazier 3-2 in the PIAA Class 1A semifinals on Tuesday at Norwin High School. GCC prevailed 25-23, 25-23, 21-25, 8-25, and 15-8.

The back-and-forth affair saw the Centurions take the first two sets, and the Commodores rally to win the third and fourth sets. After being overwhelmed in the fourth set, though, the Centurions rebounded in the decisive fifth set, securing their spot in the state title match on Saturday.

Greensburg Central Catholic (20-3) went wire-to-wire in the opening set, although the ending of it came with controversy. With GCC ahead 24-23, a Centurions’ attack appeared to go long to deadlock the score, but the initial call was overturned, as it was deemed to be touched at the net by Frazier, giving the Centurions the set.

The second set saw the lead exchanged frequently, as Frazier held a 23-22 edge late, but the Centurions scored the final three points to take a commanding lead in the match.

Needed to win the set to extend the match, the Commodores (17-5) had a strong finish to the third stanza. With the score deadlocked 19-19, Frazier won five straight points, and ultimately closed out the frame 25-21.

The fourth set was lopsided in favor of the WPIAL runners-up, as the Commodores used an 11-1 run to take command, and never relinquished their advantage.

In the fifth set, the Centurions never trailed, as they scored the first two points, and after Frazier answered with a pair consecutively, GCC scored two more points in a row to go ahead 4-2. Despite a couple of timeouts by Frazier, GCC extended its advantage, securing the match by a 15-8 margin.

Junior Ashlyn Black, and seniors Eva Denis, Abigail Dei, Evelyn Viehl, Erin Grace, and Brianna Evans were among the catalysts in the win for the Centurions. Meanwhile, the Commodores were paced by senior Grace Vaughn and junior Addison Schultz, who each notched 14 kills, while junior Maddie Salisbury and sophomore Allie Monack each contributed 13 kills. Senior Gracen Hartman and junior Addison Hiles were also instrumental for the Commodores.

While Frazier was denied its first state title appearance in program history, Greensburg Central Catholic is in pursuit of its third PIAA crown, as the Centurions will face District 3 Champion Linville Hill at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Cumberland Valley High School.