PIAA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS Farrell captures 8th title

CORAOPOLIS, PA. (AP) -- Farrell, Merion Mercy and Allentown Central Highs were the three returning Pennsylvania state volleyball champions in Saturday's PIAA State Championships.
But Farrell, last year's PIAA Class A champion, was the only one to emerge with another state championship.
The Steelers captured their eighth state title with a 15-8, 15-12 win over Canton.
The team motto
"Our motto all year was 'Eight would be so great,' " said Farrell coach Harriett Morrison, who considered retiring after last season, but stayed for her 31st season. "I considered going out as a champion after last season, but a few of my players talked me into coming back."
In the Class AAA final, Villa Maria Academy claimed its second state title, and first since 1996, with a 15-9, 12-15, 15-5 win over District 3's Hempfield.
Meanwhile, the Brandywine Heights girls volleyball team hit the daily double Saturday -- beating the two other returning state champions, Merion Mercy and Allentown Central -- on the way to its first Class AA title.
Brandywine Heights faced Merion Mercy, last year's Class AA champion, in the semifinals and recorded a 17-15, 15-3 victory.
In the title match, the Bullets faced Allentown Central Catholic, last year's Class AAA champion, and registered a 15-13, 15-4 victory.