The Carlisle boys volleyball team is stepping into uncharted territory.
The Thundering Herd, who beat Hempfield in the District 3 Class 3A quarterfinals on Thursday, will travel to Central York on Tuesday to play in their first semifinal against the top-seeded Panthers, with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m.
“The team effort goes beyond the six guys on the court,” Carlisle head coach Drew Karbach said after Thursday's quarterfinal win. “It goes beyond me as the head coach and all of my assistants. And our bench was encouraging and motivating our guys tonight. It was a tenacious win. It was a total team effort.”
Let's take a look at how the game went.
Carlisle (15-3) vs. Central York (14-0)
How they got here: Carlisle dominated Penn Manor in the first round, outscoring the Comets by scores of 25-15, 25-12, 25-17. The quarterfinal match played out differently, but Hurd again had the advantage, winning a 3-2 decision. Carlisle defeated Hempfield by decision, 31-29, 25-21, 15-13.
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Central York advanced into the first round as the No. 1 seed. Cedar Crest pounced on the Panthers on Thursday, but Central came out unscathed by scores of 25-22, 25-13, 25-21.
next: Tuesday's winner advances to Thursday's district final to face either Warwick or Red Lion, with both teams now qualified for the PIAA Tournament, scheduled to begin June 4. Qualifying for the state championship is the first in Carlisle program history.
Aces and aggressive play lead Carlisle to victory over Penn Manor and advance to District 3 boys volleyball quarterfinals
'We're going to give it our all': Carlisle boys volleyball team beats Cumberland Valley for first time since 2014
Note: The Herd is looking for its first semifinal win in program history and a berth in the district finals.
The Panthers reached the finals last year and were soundly defeated by Cumberland Valley, 3-0. Central York defeated State College in four sets to win the 2019 title.
Photos: Carlisle beats Penn Manor in District 3 boys volleyball opener
Carlisle's Timothy Fletcher (center) sets up to play in the third set against Penn Manor in the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Penn Manor's Harry Whited, left, hits the ball past Carlisle's Corey Fitzpatrick, back, during the first set of the District 2 Class 3A boys volleyball opener at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Carlisle's Dominic Cole (back) hits the ball past Penn Manor's Cole Johnson (left) and Noah Leen (right) during the first set of the District 2 Class 3A boys volleyball opener at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Carlisle's Timothy Fletcher (back) sets up to play in the first set against Penn Manor in the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener at Gene Evans Gymnasium in Carlisle.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Carlisle's Dominic Cole, seen from behind, hits the ball past Penn Manor's Wyatt Hopstetter during the first set of the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Carlisle's Wyatt Colestock (left) and Jacob Heckman (right) wait to serve during the first set of the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener against Penn Manor at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Carlisle's Jacob Heckman (center) spikes the ball past Penn Manor's Andre Weaver (left) and Reese Andrejcek during the first set of the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Carlisle's Jacob Heckman (center) slides past Penn Manor's Harry Whited (right) to spike the ball during the first set of the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
From left, Carlisle's Corey Fitzpatrick and Dominic Cole stop shots toward the net during the first set of the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener against Penn Manor at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Family and friends cheer on the Carlisle boys volleyball team after their first-set win over Penn Manor in the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Carlisle's Jacob Heckman serves in the second set against Penn Manor in the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Carlisle's Dominic Cole (left) hits the ball past Penn Manor's Andre Weaver (center) and Harry Whited (right) during the second set of the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Carlisle erupted in celebration after scoring in the second set in the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener against Penn Manor at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Carlisle's Wyatt Colestock hits the ball during the third set in the District 3 Class 3A boys volleyball opener against Penn Manor at Gene Evans Gymnasium.
Jason Marmont, The Sentinel
Christian Eby is a sports reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com. He can be reached at ceby@cumberlink.com and can be followed on Twitter at Follow
