MINERSVILLE — They banged the drum slowly, but when they pick up the beat, it can be devastating.

Panther Valley looked sluggish to open the quarterfinals with Nativity in its opening round of the Schuylkill League volleyball playoffs, with both programs perennial championship threats.

But when the Panthers get it rolling, they can be tough to beat.

It showed here Monday when they swept the Green Wave in three sets, 25-17, 25-11 and 25-16. Panther Valley moves into the semifinal round tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Martz Hall to face Division II champions Marian in the opening game of a doubleheader.

Nativity got off on the right foot to open set one, before the Panthers got back on track, riding the strong play of Natalie Vermillion and Emma Dacey. Their play on both sides of the net seemed to infuse PV with energy, something the team was lacking at times.

Emily Hannis, Panther Valley coach, attributed the slow start to a third meeting with Nativity.

“This was the third time we played them, and I think that might have been part of the reason for the slow start,” said the highly successful Panthers’ coach, whose team won the previous two games

Once her squad got their wheels spinning, it was evident how much better the Panthers are. They broke free form being down 8-6 to leap in front 18-10, However, the Green Wave had some spunk and quickly regrouped thanks in part to a pair of heavy hitters in Finley McNamarra and Julianna Carlson, along with Janelle Ziegmont and Sara Spolski. Their combined play kept the Green Wave in the fray as they sliced the deficit momentarily to 18-14.

“They are an amazing team, not too many balls hit the floor, they’re the defending Schuylkill League champions for a reason,” said Jen Daubert, the veteran Nativity coach, who has turned out her share of champions, praising the victors. “I thought we really came out and competed ... we were diving all over the place and I thought this might have been the best match we played all year.”

However, that effort wasn’t quite enough to play with this juggernaut, which keeps getting better each step of the way.

Hannis thought the day off from school, created a bit of a sluggish start.

“It’s never a good thing when they have a day off from school,” the PV coach said smiling alluding to a lack of energy.

Jaelynn Browdy muscled home a kill before Chole Hadley slammed home another kill, putting PV in front 23-14 in the first set. Vermillion registered a kill and ever-present libero Caroline Breslin put the dagger through the Green Wave with an ace.

“We seem to have an issue starting off slow,” Vermillion pointed out who contributed eight kills and nine digs. “We know we need to work a little harder and play stronger.”

Tied at 4-4 in the second set, Morgan Orsulak picked up an ace off her serve for a momentary lead. Nativity stayed the course, trailing by just three (12-9).

Down the home stretch, Panther Valley took control with its grace and power game. Jessica Hackash was steering the ship, as she picked up an ace, then watched Dacey go to work with a pair of nifty cross-court kills. Vermillion laid in a soft kill and when Orsulak blasted a kill her team was en route to the second set win.

“Our strong point, we communicate really well as a team,” Dacey explained.

Panther Valley broke away early from Nativity in the deciding third set, zooming to leads of 12-5 and 20-13. When Hackash got back to serve, she cranked out an ace, with Orsulak and Dacey registering the final points to settle this match with a sweep.

Dacey knows the semifinal is going to depend on how well the team communicates.

“Marian is a really good team and we need to work together,” she said.

GREAT OBSERVATION … “They have firepower form everywhere they are very good team.” Daubert said of Panther Valley.

THE NUMBERS GAME … Beslin continues her super play on defense. She had 22 digs. Dacey had two aces and six kills, Orsulak added two aces, six assists, six digs and 11 kills. Spolski was junkyard tough for the Wave with 15 digs and four kills, followed by Carslon’s six kills.

Nativity 17 11 16

Panther Vy. 25 25 25

Stat leaders: Panther Valley - Caroline Breslin 2 aces, 22 digs; Natalie Vermillion 8 kills, 3 assists, 9 digs; Emma Dacey 2 aces, 6 kills, 3 assists, 8 digs.