DALLASTOWN -- You can bet the York Suburban boys' volleyball team is happy it won't have to see former teammate Zach Prexta again this year.

That's no offense to Prexta. In fact, it's a compliment to him and his Red Land teammates, who almost did something that no other team has been able to do so far this season -- beat the Trojans.

Prexta, who attended Suburban through his freshman year, was a thorn in the Trojans' side for the entire match during District 3-AA quarterfinal pool-play action at Dallastown High School.

Prexta helped the Patriots rally to even up the best-of-3 contest after two games.

But just when Red Land had Suburban on the ropes, the Trojans did what they've done all season -- claim victory.

Facing two match points, Suburban coach Jamie Evans' team roared back to take Game 3 and clinch the pool title with a 25-18, 17-25, 29-27 triumph.

Suburban finished the night at 3-0, winning eight of nine games to advance to Friday's District 3-AA semifinals at Central York High School. The Trojans will face another familiar foe in Northeastern, a team they beat in the York-Adams League Tournament finals last week.

Manheim Central finished second in the pool with a 2-1 record, which meant that the Patriots (1-2) and Wyomissing (0-3) saw their seasons come to a close.

The Barons will face Dover, who won the other pool at Wilson High School, in the other semifinal. Northeastern took second in the Wilson pool in a strong night for York-Adams Class AA teams. The local league claimed three of the four AA semifinal slots.

Suburban's journey to the semifinals, however, wasn't easy, thanks to a strong effort from Prexta.

"He always plays great," Suburban's Ted Hinnenkamp said of his former teammate. "He's a great player. For us, he started as a freshman and now he has the kill record at Red Land. He's just a ridiculous player."

Prexta needed 49 kills to reach 1,000 for his career and finished his

night with 51. A potential No. 52, however, sailed just off the court and allowed Suburban to exhale a huge sigh of relief and earn the victory.

"I'm sorry that he has to go out on that last play," said Evans, who taught Prexta in elementary school. "I gave him a hug there at the end."

Prexta, while disappointed with his team's setback, enjoyed his battle with the Trojans.

"It's just an awesome feeling," he said. "The fact that I went there just made me want to play that much harder."

While some wondered out loud just where the Trojans would be if Prexta were still in the fold, Evans joked that such a team might not be as enjoyable as you'd think.

"Coach Evans said it the best," Prexta said. "He was like, 'It just wouldn't be fun.' I think that's a good point."

While seeing Prexta was a bit of a reunion, the Trojans will get another one come Friday against Northeastern. Suburban already has two victories over the Bobcats so far this season, but getting a third won't come easy.

"It will just be like counties again," Hinnenkamp said. "We'll be looking forward to that."

The Trojans defeated both Manheim Central (25-14, 25-14, 25-11) and the Spartans (25-8, 25-13, 25-13) in their first two matches of the night.

Statistically, the Trojans were led by Fred Gard (17 kills, 35 digs), Jaryd Eshler (31 kills, 21 digs), Jacob Kauffman (19 kills, 10 digs), Hinnenkamp (28 kills), Kody Deiter (28 digs, 88 assists) and Justin Corsa (13 digs).

Dover, Northeastern also advance: At Wilson, Dover beat Northeastern in its final match of the night, 25-23, 25-18, 25-18, to capture the pool title.

The Eagles also downed Lancaster Mennonite (25-17, 25-20, 26-24) and Berks Catholic (25-16, 25-12, 25-18). Northeastern also beat those two teams, downing Berks Catholic (25-17, 25-23, 25-18) and Mennonite (25-14, 27-25, 25-21).

All three of the York-Adams teams that have advanced to the District 3-AA semifinals are ranked in the top 10 in the state in AA, according to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association. Suburban is No. 1, while Northeastern is No. 5 and Dover is No. 6.

Dallastown ousted in AAA action: In District 3-AAA quarterfinal pool-play action, Dallastown was eliminated in action at Central York.

The Wildcats compiled a 1-2 record and finished third in the pool. Only the top two teams in the pool advanced to Friday's semifinals.

Central Dauphin won the pool at 3-0, while Hempfield finished second at 2-1.

Dallastown beat Gov. Mifflin (25-19, 25-17, 19-25), but lost to Central Dauphin (25-15, 25-27, 25-18) and Hempfield (25-17, 25-20, 25-16).

With Dallastown's ouster, there are no York-Adams teams still alive in the AAA postseason.

-- Reach Ryan Vander sloot at sports@yorkdis patch.com.