The state quarterfinal matchup is set to kick off at 1 p.m. Each team hosted their first-round match, winning 3-0, and will now play their remaining bouts on neutral sites, with the championship set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg.

Since falling to Central Cambria in the LHAC championship and scraping by Penns Valley in district quarters, the Eagles (21-3) have been on a tear.

They swept their way to their first District 6 title since 2023, including one over the Red Devils to avenge that aforementioned loss and another over top-seeded Richland. Then, in the first round of states, they kept that sweep streak alive with a controlled, 3-0 win over District 7 runner-up Hopewell (18-3) to cruise into quarters.

It’s a product of the team kicking it up a notch in practice throughout the postseason. They learned from a brief period of struggle that kept them from securing a league title and have since dominated their way to their current position.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bald Eagle Area's Leah Bryan (4) high fives teammate Casey Angelotti (22).

“Penns Valley was a very big eye opener for us,” said senior Leah Bryan when discussing the team’s playoff run. “We knew going into districts and states that we’d be playing good volleyball teams, and we couldn’t play like that again.”

“I think we’re playing as a group more,” said Eppley on what’s been key to the surge. “For the last three games, we’ve been working really hard in practice, going over drills that are really translating into our gameplay. I think it’s really helping us out with these sweeps.”

It faces a tough foe in Saturday’s semifinal.

Since falling to Trinity in last year’s District 6 Class AA championship, Corry (18-0) has yet to drop a match through match play, posting an undefeated regular-season campaign and earning a District 10 Class AA title to earn one of the state tournament’s top seeds. It’s led by a stout junior class that puts forth across-the-board contributions.

Stat wise, the Beavers are led by junior outside hitter Grace Allen, who heads into the bout with 431 kills, 49 total blocks, 16 solo blocks and 38 aces on the season. Fellow junior Regan Kemp leads the team in aces with 61 and digs with 304 while ranking second on the team in kills with 298. And junior Rylee Nickerson leads the team in blocks with 61.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bald Eagle Area's Nora Eppley talks to teammates during a game.

Throughout its postseason run, Corry has yet to drop a set, sweeping Hickory, Fairview and Cathedral Prep to earn its district title before adding a fourth sweep against Waynesburg Central in Tuesday’s state playoff affair. In fact, through match play, it’s only dropped two sets through 2025, with those two coming in a 3-2 win at Maplewood, one of the best teams in the state.

The Beavers present a tremendous challenge for the Eagles, likely the toughest of their entire season. But Bald Eagle heads into the matchup confident and motivated to keep its season alive and has proven more than capable in tough Laurel Highland and District 6 fields.

Through its 2025 campaign and current postseason run, it’s been led by senior outside hitter Leah Bryan, who’s coming off a 22-kill outing against Hopewell that saw her put together ten kills in a tight second set. On the other side, sophomore outside hitter Emily Smith added 11 kills, seven through that second set, while junior Kendall Gavlock posted four of her six through the third.

Senior setter Casey Angelotti and libero Nora Eppley played crucial roles in setting up those kills, contributing 29 and nine assists respectively. Eppley added ten digs, and both put together tremendous outings from the service line, combining for 25 service points and six aces.

It’s a unit that, despite lacking experience in certain spots, thrives on connection and communication. Since its last loss to Central Cambria, Bald Eagle has consistently found ways to create a spark in crucial moments, a factor that has been present in every match since and has propelled it to where it is today.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bald Eagle Area players compete during a playoff game this year.

Now, with three days of preparation under their belts since Tuesday’s win, they’ll look to carry their successful postseason run into a Final Four bid. It’s been a fun run so far, but the Eagles aren’t satisfied yet.

“It’s just fun to win with them; they’re a fun group,” said Bryan on the team. “I’m playing with my buddies, and we all get along pretty well.”

“I’m super excited to keep playing,” said Eppley. “I want to keep my season going as long as I possibly can, and I think this is the team to do it with.”

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bald Eagle Area's Leah Bryan spikes the ball during a match this year.