Championship.

All athletes and sports fans know the definition.

The position or title of winner in a contest of sport, often involving a series of games or matches.

Pedigree.

A word maybe lesser known by the casual fan, but to elite athletes it’s all too familiar.

The background or history of a person or thing, especially as conferring distinction or quality.

When the two words are combined, the result is something every sports program strives to ascertain — championship pedigree.

It’s safe to say that after Panther Valley’s fourth consecutive District 11 2A championship victory on Tuesday night, the Panthers indeed have become one of the blue blood programs in all of District 11.

Typically in a family of high nobility or royalty, the group has a unit of leaders, either determined by rank, age, or most importantly skill. The Panthers have had a host of talented players who have had an immense impact on the program over the past four seasons, and have helped them capture championships.

But only one player has been a starter on all four of Panther Valley’s district championships squads — Jenna Dubosky. The 2018 Times News Volleyball Player of the Year and an All State selection, Dubosky has been contributing at a high level ever since she stepped on the floor for the Panthers, proving that point as the program’s all-time leader in both kills and assists.

Tuesday against Notre Dame, Dubosky once again delivered, as she led PV with 21 kills and 21 assists.

“It’s crazy, coming in as a freshman and now four years later, we have four district championships. I can’t imagine to tell you how proud I am of all my teammates throughout the years, and especially my teammates from tonight,” said Dubosky. “We have had so many good players over the years here that when someone has been off, someone else has picked them up. This has been a great run; we still have more to do, and hopefully the program can continue to build off this and get even better.”

Every royal family has a court, and it’s safe to say that senior Olivia Dacey and junior Erika Dubosky are the primary members of Jenna’s court. Erika Dubosky and Dacey have started on the last three Panther Valley district championship teams.

Dacey, an all state selection last season, has been dominant up front in her career, patrolling the net for the Panthers. Dacey was also big on Tuesday, coming through with nine kills, with most of those coming in pressure moments.

“It’s tough to do what we’ve been able to do. Every year you come in with a target on your back being the champs, but every year we’ve worked hard and we’ve been able to pull it off,” said Dacey. “Winning this many straight means so much to us.”

Erika Dubosky has served as the raw power player in her career for the Panthers. Erika, a standout basketball player as well, plays like a hoops star at the net. She’s a force on the outside and in the middle, and defensively is even more lethal in the blocking game. She was impressive against the Crusaders, collecting 18 kills, seven aces and five blocks.

“The three of us have always worked well together, going all the way back to our younger days in CYO and junior high,” said Erika. “We feed off each other; we give each other energy. I just love all my teammates; we’re moving on.”

There’s no doubt Panther Valley’s trio of Jenna Dubosky, Erika Dubosky and Olivia Dacey have been part of the driving force to the Panthers historic run, but there are many more who have helped build what is now a championship contending program year-in and year-out.

Now a blue blood program with plenty of royalty on the roster, the Panthers will set out to capture the ultimate prize ­— a PIAA State Championship.