WEXFORD — Zoe Pawlak's right hand was packed in ice.

It was the only thing that could cool it down, it seemed.

Pawlak used that right hand to send volleyball after volleyball screaming — and sometimes floating — to the floor in a 22-kill performance that lifted the Freeport volleyball team to a 25-23, 25-19, 25-23 win over Montour in the WPIAL Class AA quarterfinals at North Allegheny High School Tuesday night.

“The thing about her is she reads the blocks so well,” said Freeport volleyball coach Tom Phillips. “She reads the court so well, where the defense is, and to be able to change up some shots and (tap) the ball over, it frustrates the other team. Very smart player.”

Freeport needed every kill Pawlak could give her team.

That's because Montour (15-5) got off to fast starts in all three games.

The Spartans led the first game 16-13, the second game 16-11 and the third game 12-6 before Freeport (19-0) launched prodigious rallies.

“I'm proud of the way we played,” said Montour coach Kirsten Burkes. “Freeport is a very good team and Zoe is an incredible hitter. Every time she was in the front row, she took it to us.”

Pawlak had 10 kills in the second game — six coming after Montour took the five-point lead — to rally the Yellowjackets.

They weren't all off thunderous spikes.

“You have to be smart with where you are putting the ball, especially in big games,” Pawlak said. “You can't just keep hitting it hard into the same spot. They'll adjust. I try to hit it to different spots, and if they are blocking me, I'll just try to tip it.”

Pawlak was an even bigger factor in the third game with four straight kills to spark a Yellowjackets' rally from six down to up 13-12.

Pawlak said coming from behind is something the Yellowjackets prepare for in practice.

“We play games in practice where we're down and we can't let them score five before we score 10,” said the junior outside hitter. “So, we sort of work on it in practice, but we don't really want it to happen in games.”

When it does — which hasn't been very often — Freeport is ready for is as they were against the Spartans.

“It's something we work on almost every single day — being down and fighting,” Phillips said. “I call it playing good, hard-nosed volleyball, keeping the ball off the floor and being aggressive. I call it Freeport volleyball.”

Freeport volleyball has been a pretty good way to play so far this season.

Freeport volleyball has also meant balance this season.

Macy Smolic returned from an ankle injury to provide a handful of kills. Middle hitter Jess Kelley added 10 kills and Morgan Ruppersberger pitched in seven kills for the Yellowjackets.

“It was great getting Macy back tonight,” Phillips said. “She rolled her ankle and has been out for two-and-a-half weeks. I think Jess Kelley came alive in Game 2. In Jess' defense, we couldn't establish our middles (early). Once we were able to do that, we were able to settle down and play a little bit.”

Freeport will play Ford City in the semifinals Thursday at a site and time to be determined.

Freeport is already guaranteed a spot in the PIAA playoffs with the win over Montour.

Pawlak said no worries. She'll be in the lineup for Ford City, despite a hand encased in ice and a balky knee.

“It's going to be fine for the next game,” Pawlak said smiling. “I'll be ready.”