It’s a number that could loom large.

But John Gesiskie doesn’t let it.

It’s by design, and it’s played a big role in what has been a historic season for Pleasant Valley’s volleyball program.

The loss column continued to carry a zero after Tuesday’s match, as the Bears remained undefeated in Gesiskie’s final season with a 25-22, 27-25, 25-12 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference win over Freedom.

But that’s far from their focus.

“These girls come in here, and we cannot focus on the zero,” Gesiskie said of the team’s unbeaten start. “We focus on playing our best that night, and whatever happens, happens. That’s what they’re working on. I’m very happy with the way they are playing.”

These Bears have become battle-tested en route to their 12-0 start, and they showed it against the resilient Patriots.

Pleasant Valley never trailed in the first set, but watched as Freedom (6-6) pulled to 23-22 before the Bears closed it out to go up 1-0.

That momentum seemed to carry over into the second set, as Pleasant Valley built a 19-13 before a run of five straight points from the Patriots cut it to 19-18.

Freedom took its first lead at 22-21 before the Bears tied it. The Patriots had chances to close it out up 24-22, but the Bears rallied to tie it on a kill by Rylee Ruggiero.

A kill by Landry Guman put Freedom ahead 25-24, but Pleasant Valley won the final three points to take the set 27-25 and go ahead 2-0 in the match.

“I’m very proud of them,” said Patriots head coach Lori Guman. “We did go into a deep hole the first two sets, and we found a way to fight back and come within points of winning.

“We have a lot of fight in us. At the beginning of the season, we battled hard against Nazareth and went to five. We have a lot of fight, we just have to get over the top. I believe the girls have it. They play for each other, they play for the team.”

Both squads gave all-out effort, with diving plays and running saves throughout the match.

“How many of those balls did you think were going to hit the floor? And they came out of nowhere ... they sacrificed themselves for the team, and that’s what it’s all about,” said Gesiskie, who is set to retire after starting and leading the program for 30 years. “They were so excited about it, and they feel good about themselves, and the team feels good that they have their back. Hopefully it’s going to continue to grow, and hopefully take us into the playoffs and things like that.”

Pleasant Valley seized momentum early in the third set and maintained it throughout. The Bears reached match-point on a diving, one-handed kill from Lexi Womack to go up 24-11, before eventually closing it out on an emphatic kill by Hannah Akob.

The chemistry this squad has built throughout the course of the season was obvious on nights like this one. Up or down, they don’t get too high or too low.

And that’s one of the reasons Pleasant Valley won’t let a number in the loss or win column affect how they play.

“We’re always there for each other,” said Womack. “That’s the thing you need to do. Regardless, win or lose, you’re always there for each other, always checking in. Just got to play the game.

“I’m just so excited to see what happens. This is my last year, and I’m going to make the best of it. I’m just grateful for my team, and excited to keep going.”

PV STATS

... Womack led the Bears with 21 digs and 10 kills. Brianna Bruckman finished with 24 assists and 12 digs, while Akob had 11 digs, four kills and four assists. Alexis Wilkes finished with 15 digs, and Amiyah Poliseno added nine dig while Ruggiero had seven kills, four digs and three blocks.

FREEDOM STATS

... Landry Guman had 10 kills and eight digs for the Patriots. Sammy Mikulski had 16 digs and four assists, while Sophia Tyma recorded eight kills and four solo blocks.

SPECIAL NIGHT

... The Bears celebrated Mentor Night Tuesday, in which the seniors presented a plaque and flowers to a person in their life who inspired them to play sports.

ROLLING ALONG

... In its historic start, Pleasant Valley has dropped just one set in a regular season match all season, which came in a 3-1 win over Emmaus on Sept. 12, a victory that was a first for the program. With matches against Monroe County schools and Hazleton left, the win over Freedom also secured the Bears’ first perfect mark over Lehigh Valley programs since the formation of the EPC.