NAZARETH — Nazareth’s volleyball team stared at what could have been a daunting deficit late in the first set in its District 11 Class 4A quarterfinal match against Pleasant Valley Thursday.

But the Blue Eagles didn’t buckle.

They took flight.

A strong surge helped Nazareth seize the set and secure a 25-20, 25-20, 25-15 win over the Bears and clinch a spot in the semifinals.

Down 19-14 in the opening set, the Blue Eagles put together an 11-1 run to take a 1-0 lead in the match. It was the type of answer Nazareth needed in a back-and-forth match, and exactly what head coach John Pursel was looking for.

“How we respond in pressure situations,” Pursel said of what he learned about his team. “Playoffs at home is a different beast, and making sure that we have the right mentality is a big challenge, and a big thing that we like to see how we respond to. And we responded well tonight, and handled business on our home court.”

The fourth-seeded Blue Eagles (12-8) did it with the type of balance they have displayed all season, getting timely kills, tremendous defense, stellar serving and an efficiency on offense.

“We just tried to raise our level,” said Pursel. “We knew we had another gear in us, and we weren’t necessarily taking advantage of some things that we can do well. And I think that that was really the adjustment; the change was really just playing more our game.

“It has to be (balanced) at this level. And playing the competition that we play is really helpful for us because we know we can’t rely on just one hitter, and that makes a big difference for us. And credit to that goes to our defense, and our hitters. But our setter, Jackie Henninger, does a really good job of controlling the offense and making sure that everybody gets fed a little bit.”

That momentum carried over, as Nazareth opened the second set with a thunderous kill from Morgan Holland and roared out to a 20-9 lead.

Pleasant Valley (12-6) battled back, eventually trimming the deficit to 21-16, forcing a timeout from the Blue Eagles.

“I think the effort was there throughout all three sets,” said Bears’ head coach Drew Dymond. “We were close ... but some things we have to tighten up in those close games that didn’t go our way, and we talk a lot about that. But it wasn’t for a lack of effort. They played hard. You have to take your hat off to Nazareth, they did a great job there. They have a real balanced attack; it’s not just one or two girls that can beat you. They do it a lot of different ways, their serving was strong. I think that was ultimately the difference here.

“But overall, from where we started this year to where we are now, I think we achieved a lot of our goals. It would have been nice to get a couple more wins, but overall the team did a great job. Especially our seniors, I thought our seniors did a great job with leadership and really getting the younger girls up to speed, and making them feel confident and comfortable as well.”

Junior Rylee Ruggiero started the run in the second set for No. 5 seed Pleasant Valley with a big kill. She finished with 16 kills, and also added 11 digs, three blocks and one ace.

The Bears stayed tough, and Ruggiero found space and delivered another kill to make it 24-20. But Hailey Wanko came up with a kill to finish the set and give Nazareth a 2-0 lead in the match.

Wanko finished with 12 kills.

The third set was tied at 10-10 before the Blue Eagles took the lead on an ace from Sara Seyfert, an advantage they wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the way.

Dymond, in his first year as the team’s head coach, guided the program to the EPC and District 11 tournaments, something he is hoping to build on next year.

“That was the one thing I was a little bit worried about was varsity experience this year, but a lot of girls that played the first time on varsity this year, got that experience,” said Dymond. “And we’re hoping that carries through to next season.”

HIGH PRAISE ... Pursel and his team were well aware of where Ruggiero was during Thursday’s match. “She is a very strong player, and is somebody you have to game plan for,” said Pursel. “And somebody you have to pay attention to, and know where she is at all times on the court. You can’t lose sight of her. We have to make sure our blockers are aware. We know that if she goes outside, our blockers are going to follow her. If she goes back row, our blockers are aware. If she goes to the snack stand, our blockers are following her there.”

MOVING ON ... Nazareth will face No. 1 seed Liberty Tuesday in the semifinals. The match will take place at 6:45 p.m. at Catasauqua.

STRONG CLASS ... Pleasant Valley will graduate an important group of upperclassmen on and off the floor in Laura Ballek, Amiyah Poliseno, Ali Snyder and Alexis Wilkes.

Pleasant Vy. 20 20 15

Nazareth 25 25 25

Stat leaders: Pleasant Valley - Rylee Ruggiero 16 kills, 11 digs, 3 blocks, 1 ace, Alexis Wilkes 15 assists, 2 digs, 1 ace, Laura Ballek 6 digs, 5 kills, Amiyah Poliseno 7 digs, 2 assists, Isabella Slizewski 3 digs, 2 assists, 2 aces, 1 kill, 1 block; Nazareth - Hailey Wanko 12 kills, 3 digs, 2 aces, Keeley Kershner 12 digs, 4 kills, 2 aces, Jackie Henninger 26 assists, 3 aces, Mallory Garland 11 digs, 1 ace, Morgan Holland 7 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace.