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‘Semis push’: Eagles bring multi-faceted talent, trust into state quarterfinal matchup against Allentown CC

Eagles bring multi-faceted talent, trust into state quarters

SHAMOKIN – In his first season back at the helm, Bald Eagle volleyball head coach Larry Campbell has the Eagles one win away from their deepest postseason run since 2018. The road only steepens following Tuesday’s win over Wellsboro, however, a reality the program knows full well heading into Saturday’s state quarterfinal.

Since their 2018 state title, the Eagles have made it back to the quarterfinal round thrice. All three times, they found themselves on the losing end to cap successful runs short of glory, falling to North Catholic in 2019, Hampton in 2023 and Corry in 2025.

Nonetheless, Bald Eagle is confident and determined moving into the weekend. The Eagles face District 11 champion Allentown Central Catholic (17-4) at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Shamokin High School, hoping to get their year on a banner after two tough 2026 tournament conclusions.

“We just need to play our best. We can’t let any stupid mistakes affect us,” said junior outside hitter Emily Smith following Tuesday’s first-round win. “When it’s getting close, we need to find a way to get out, whether it’s just a tip or something sloppy.”

“I’m really excited. I think we have a shot if we play our game,” emphasized fellow junior outside hitter Kinley Clark. “We just have to work together, continue to grow and continue to get better in the gym and practice gym. Just keep working.”

The Vikings have been a premier program in PIAA Class AA/AAA over the past three decades. They fell one win short of back-to-back state championships in 2016 and 2017 – their most recent final appearances – and notched five appearances and three titles through the 2000s.

Their most recent state quarterfinal appearance came in 2023, where they fell to Spring Grove to close out a successful 20-win campaign.

In 2026, Allentown CC swept Pine Grove (17-7) in the District 11 final and opened states with a controlled sweep of District 12 champ Neumann Goretti.

Five Vikings head into Saturday with over 100 kills on the season, led senior Leah Sweetana with 14 short of 200. Fellow senior Briana Bauer is a defensive unit on the back line and leads the team with 53 aces, and Emily Tucker further displays Allentown’s advantage in experience – a senior set with 670 assists and 48 aces on the season.

In what Campbell described as a ‘coin-toss game’, they’re a team that should present a considerable challenge for the Eagles. They’re ranked No. 6 in PVCA’s Class AAA state rankings, one slot below Bald Eagle, and that presents the match as one of the more even quarterfinals on paper.

“They’re very similar to us,” said Campbell on the Vikings. “We’re going to see two teams at the very end who can handle their emotions and who can rise up, play to their level and maybe extend a little beyond that.”

“They’re solid. They’ve got a couple really good pieces. They keep the ball off the ground. We’re pretty much matched up size-wise, so we’ll see where we’re at Saturdady. Should be a good one, and I’m excited for the opportunity for these kids,” he continued.

KILLIN’ IT

While the Eagles entered the 2026 season with a proven group of returners, it wasn’t clear how they’d handle the departures of last year’s leaders, particularly senior outside hitter Leah Bryan.

In her last two seasons, Bryan surpassed 430 kills, leading the team with a staggering 485 in 2025. She was a force that kept Bald Eagle in numerous tough matches. And without her, the Eagles entered 2026 without a returning senior on the outside.

However, where this year’s team lacked that tremendous experience, it made up for in growing talent. Emily Smith came off a successful 2025 campaign as a sophomore and has effectively built on it, leading an offense that can catch fire at anytime.

Against Richland in last Saturday’s District 6 final, the junior racked up a team-leading 20 kills – half of which came in the last three sets as the Eagles worked their way back from a 2-0 set deficit. She helped Bald Eagle weather a grueling start to the third and made an impact with both her spikes and serves in its dominant fourth set that saw her team even the match at 2-2.

Three days later, it was a similar story at Wellsboro. Eight first-set kills from Smith played a large role in the Eagles taking a 1-0 lead and quieting the Wellsboro home crowd. And while those numbers dipped in the second and third, she was always there to get the team back on track when their opponent made things interesting.

“Kudos to Emily Smith,” said Campbell on the junior following Tuesday’s win.

“The crowd had a little bit of an impact in the first set, and she was not affected by it at all. She bounced some balls that had a ripple effect at a couple points. She’s lofty to handle for a AAA team.”

“I’d say my setter (Ella Simpson),” said Smith when asked about her strong kill numbers. “We get along so well, like she knows what I need. I can say whatever I need, and she doesn’t take it to heart.”

IMPACTFUL ADJUSTMENT

With Smith stepping in as the team’s leading outside hitter, the Eagles needed someone to take on her previous role at its No. 2. Typically, that role would go to a player with experience on the outside, but Bald Eagle instead opted to go a different route.

Previously a defensive specialist, junior Kinsey Clark was moved to outside hitter in the preseason. It was a difficult adjustment, but the Eagle has handled it swimmingly, becoming more impactful by the match and stepping up considerably in the postseason.

While dealing with sickness against Richland, Clark played a considerable role in Bald Eagle extending the match to five sets, racking up 19 kills to give it multiple trustworthy options down the stretch. Those numbers dipped against Wellsboro, where she finished with seven. But six came in the second and third, and multiple came in crucial moments.

“Confidence is a big thing,” said Clark on the adjustment. “I know I’m not the best hitter all the time but just being able to talk to the people around me and ask what shots are open helps. I can trust them to give me ideas for where to go if I don’t know.”

“I’m definitely more confident and honestly like it a lot. As a defensive specialist, you’re always saving the ball, so being able to generate points is also really fun,” she added.

While more of an offensive enforcer now, Clark still thrives on the defensive end when needed. In the last two matches, she’s racked up 35 combined digs, leading the team in the category in both contests. She provides a multi-faceted impact that’s rare at the high school level, impact that could certainly aid the Eagles as the road gets steeper.