Jim Thorpe needed a bounce back win after a tough five-set loss to Blue Mountain in the Schuylkill League playoffs last week.

That’s exactly what the Olympians got on Tuesday, sweeping Executive Education Academy 25-13, 25-12, 25-5 in the quarterfinal round of the District 11 2A tournament.

Consistency was the key for Thorpe as it came out on both the offensive and defensive end, limiting its miscues.

“This was a nice rhythm performance for us tonight. We were able to capture the momentum early, and then keep the momentum because the girls did a good job playing consistent,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Chris Fallabel.

“It was fun to watch tonight. They had good transition out of offense to defense. It just all looked like one fluid motion out there, and one constant rhythm.”

The Olympians were able to grab momentum early in the first set.

Three straight kills from Brooke Mitzen gave Thorpe a 9-5 advantage and it would eventually take control, extending its lead to 20-13. Executive was held scoreless the rest of the game as Thorpe would take the first set 25-13.

Mitzen finished the opening game with five kills, while talented freshman JaeLynn Browdy added five kills - including two during the set’s final three points.

The Olympians - who hadn’t played since Monday of last week, - didn’t have any issues shaking off the rust.

“I was excited that we were able to get out here tonight and compete after the long layoff. There is no better way to get better than playing a match,” said Fallabel.

“I think it was good for us to get back out there and play. It was an opportunity to get better - and against an Executive program that is really coming along and getting better as well.”

The second and third sets again were controlled by the Olympians. In the second, a 9-1 Thorpe start would propel it to a 25-12 victory. Mitzen, Browdy, Brianna Snisky and Remy Gorski would all come through with kills for the Olympians during that stretch.

In the third, it was all JT again as a 17-3 start helped beat the Raptors, 25-5 and finish off the three-game sweep.

Thorpe’s play from the service line was also consistent, which is usually an indicator on whether or not the Olympians will come away with a “W.”

“When we serve above 90%, we win matches,” said Fallabel. “It doesn’t matter what kind of an attack you have or how good you are defensively. If you can’t be consistent in that first aspect of the game, which is serving, you’re going to have a tough time winning matches, especially against good opponents.”

NEXT UP … Thorpe, which is the No. 3 seed in the 2A playoffs, will now take on the No. 2 seed and last year’s district champ - Notre Dame Green Pond. That will take place on Thursday at 6:45 p.m. at Lehighton.

STAT LINE … Mitzen led the way for Thorpe with 14 kills. Browdy added 12 kills, Snisky had six and Gorski came through with five. Maggy Hallihan finished with 35 assists for the Olympians.