The Black Knights could almost taste the victory.

The Hempfield boys' volleyball team took a 2-1 lead in its PIAA Class 3A state semifinals match against Central Dauphin on Tuesday evening at Central York High School, looking for a trip back to the state finals.

In the fourth set the Knights held a 14-10 lead over Central Dauphin - a team they had edged 3-2 in the District Three 3A semis on CD's home court back on May 26.

The Rams battled back and won 25-20, forcing a tiebreaker set.

"We were up by four points in the fourth set; we were up 9-5 in the fifth set," Mike Vogel, the Hempfield coach explained. "We only scored three more points to their 10. We had our opportunities and that's probably the toughest part."

Central Dauphin (21-2) was led by Tyler McConnell, who poured in 22 kills.

Looking back to the District semis and how the Knights came from behind to win 3-2, Vogel simply said, "We beat them in five and they came back to beat us in five - you can't get any closer than that."

The day prior to this match, Vogel had stated, "We beat them 17-15 in the final set. You cannot get any tighter than that.

"They are a very skilled team at every position," he added. "They are also tall like us."

Speaking of comebacks, the Knights (22-2) rebounded from a 25-22 setback to win the next two sets by scores of 25-23 and 25-22 before finishing on the short end of the 25-20 final in the fourth set.

Senior Ryan Givens recorded 19 kills and six blocks while Gerry Gallagher poured in 11 kills and registered three digs. Dante Kenner and Grant Lorelli had six and five kills, respectively. Keener also put up five blocks and two digs. Lorelli finished with eight digs and a block. Adam Gimeson, Mason Orth (12 digs) and Caden Bonner each served one ace.

"Ryan Givens had some phenomenal matches this year," Vogel said of the senior he will be losing as Givens heads to Messiah University. Also graduating and moving on will be Lorelli.

Asked to comment on the expected returning players, Vogel pointed to, "Dante Keener, who was our middle this year, Mason Orth, who's our libero and Caden Bonner, our setter. Dante plays three rotations. There's Ethan Earhart, who is 6-foot-4. Aiden Beiler a sophomore, will move into an outside hitting position."

What else carries into next season for Hempfield?

"It's a winning culture," Vogel remarked. "You build on that. The kids expect it. We have had this winning culture for a long time. The team I had this year overachieved. We played against a team of skilled players. You have to teach your kids to rise to the occasion and most of the season, they did. I'm happy for what the kids accomplished."

The Rams' victory over Hempfield ended the Knights' 19-match win streak.

"We didn't make it to states," Vogel said. "When you lose like this - deep into the season - it's tough. We lost one match early in the season, so our kids are not used to losing. The season ended abruptly for us."

The Rams moved on to face North Allegheny in the championship match scheduled at Penn State Recreational Building. The Tigers, who were 3-0 winners over Central York in the 2019 finals, are technically the defending champs as the spring schedule for sports in the Commonwealth was wiped out due to the Coronavirus pandemic last year.

The Hempfield squad played another tough match to reach the state semis. On Saturday, June 5, they defeated Emmaus in the quarterfinal round by a 3-0 score at Schuylkill Valley High School in Leesport.

"Emmaus served impressively," said Vogel. "They were very similar to the Palmyra team we played in districts. They had us by six or seven points in the first set."

Hempfield came back to win that set 25-23. The Knights went on to win two more close sets, 25-21 and 25-23.

Givens had 17 kills and three aces in the win. Gallagher came through with two blocks while Orth led the team in digs with 16.

"Gerry Gallagher has been coming on," Vogel stated. "He helps take a little bit off Givens. He is one of our primary passers and we need that. That is critical in volleyball. He's also not just an offensive threat, he plays respectable defense and is a decent blocker. He's big - 6-foot-4."