KINGSLEY — Coming into the season back in August, Abington Heights players were excited for the new year and building an identity with new faces in the lineup.

The seniors’ exemplary leadership fostered unity among the team. The Lady Comets ripped through the Lackawanna League Division I schedule. They powered to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-12) win on Monday night to win the championship in the first year with two divisions.

Abington Heights improved its league record to 13-0. Last fall, the Lady Comets won the league title with a 15-0 record.

“This has been amazing,” Temblador said. “Honestly, our team has really grown. We bonded so much, and it’s great to see both on and off the court.

“It has made volleyball super fun this year.”

As juniors, Temblador and Brielle Wentz were key contributors to that unbeaten league season.

They both are confident. Each time Abington Heights needed to settle down or ignite momentum against Mountain View, they responded.

Wentz, who reached milestones with 1,000 career assists and 300 aces this season, was sharp in the title-winning effort. She had 17 assists, four kills, three digs, and two aces.

“It is such a great feeling,” Wentz said. “I had absolutely no doubts about this team. Coming into the season, people said it’s a new crew with many new players, but I still felt confident with the team.

“We are always pushing each other in practice, and we are very competitive. We have changed the lineup almost every game.”

Temblador was at her best in the game-deciding third set. With Abington Heights leading 8-6, she went on a nine-point run that featured six of her game-high 10 aces. She also provided 10 assists and nine kills.

“We are really good at making adjustments,” Temblador said. “As soon as our coaches tell us to do something, we go out and do it. We really work well with each other. We stay calm, and we always support each other and promote a positive atmosphere.”

Alaina Krempasky, a junior and returning starter from last season, had 10 kills on some powerful swings and provided 13 digs for the Lady Comets.

Abington Heights coach Morgan Bailleau, last season’s Times-Tribune Coach of the Year, had every player on the roster see action in the win.

“I feel like we can get back up when we have our moments when we are down,” Krempasky said. “We have a really good connection as a team, and that’s how we play better.

“This means the world to me. After losing our seniors from last year, a lot of people thought this would be a rebuilding year. This is amazing.”

Mountain View, a Class 2A team playing up with the big schools in Division I, didn’t just roll out the red carpet for the Lady Comets’ coronation.

The Lady Eagles (4-9) battled and held leads in every set.

Aubrey Sanders had 10 assists and seven service points, and Karley Norton had six kills, seven service points, four aces, and two digs for the Lady Eagles, who won last year’s District 2 Class 1A championship, but will compete in Class 2A this season with the PIAA expanding to six classifications.

Blue Ridge 3, Dunmore 0: At Dunmore, Lynndee Barbour had 11 kills and six service points, leading the Lady Raiders to a 25-14, 25-5, 25-19 victory in Division I.

Abigail Gelinger had nine kills and two aces, and Mckenna Zick had 35 assists and three aces for the Lady Raiders (9-5), who will be the No. 1 seed for the District 2 Class 2A playoffs. Peyton Rutter added eight kills and 10 service points, Maya Crane had 13 service points and three kills, and Liberty Post had five kills and four blocks.

For Dunmore, Katelyn Henry had nine assists and four digs, and Michelle Nidoh contributed six kills, two digs, and two blocks. Lizzie Mendola added five assists, four kills, and three digs; Madison Morgan had seven digs; and Courtney Rudalavage had three digs for the Lady Bucks (5-9).

Western Wayne 3, Scranton 0: At Western Wayne, Olivia Haines had nine kills, six aces, and four blocks, leading the Lady ‘Cats to a 25-23, 25-15, 25-21 win in Division I.

Haley McGuire contributed five kills and Abbie Washine had 14 assists and three aces for Western Wayne (3-11).