EMMAUS - The Pleasant Valley High School girls volleyball team was primarily a young and inexperienced team during the 2020 regular season.

They boasted three captains who were all underclassmen - juniors Andrea Crilley and Maryam Mattson, along with sophomore Jaclyn James - as their leaders.

That youth and inexperience got tested even further when head coach John Gesiskie had to adapt to a new lineup less than 24 hours before Thursday’s District 11 Class 4A quarterfinal match.

“We lost four starters for this game due to injury and other issues,” said Gesiskie. “It’s tough having to work in new lineups and formations, let alone the night before a playoff match.”

To make matters worse, Pleasant Valley was forced to square off against the defending district runner-up Emmaus in its opening postseason match.

The Green Hornets jumped all over the Bears in the first two sets, but PV fought back to make the third set interesting, falling in straight sets, 25-7, 25-7 and 25-17.

“They’re a great team with some athletes,” Gesiskie said. “They were in the district final last year and have some girls back from that team. So, they have players that know how to win in the postseason.

“They have six seniors, so they are experienced. We hope to be in that same position next year when our players get a year older and more experienced on the varsity level.”

Pleasant Valley had won three of its final four matches to end the regular season, and was riding some positive momentum heading into the district tournament. But some unfortunate injuries and absences halted that momentum quickly.

The Green Hornets were in complete control in the first two sets, leading from start to finish. But the Bears did not go down easily, battling in the third set and, trailing 22-11, went on a 5-0 run to bring the score to 22-16.

Emmaus, however, was able to hold on for the victory.

“I liked the way that we battled and never gave up there in the end,” said Gesiskie. “Coming into their gym and down a couple of regular players, I think our girls were a little nervous with many of them playing in districts for the first time.

“They really competed though, and I’m proud of their efforts.”

BACK FOR MORE … Pleasant Valley will return nearly every single member of the 2020 team, with no seniors on the roster this year. Along with Crilley and Mattson, juniors Lexi Burgos and Kaitlyn Blondo are expected back as senior leaders.

RECORDS … Emmaus improved to 9-4 overall and advanced to the district semifinals against Pocono Mountain West. Pleasant Valley concludes its season at 6-5.