Ellicottville was a bit of an unknown when the postseason began.

The Eagles have certainly made their presence felt.

No. 6 Ellicottville capped its run of knocking off the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 seeds with a 25-18, 25-15, 25-14 sweep of No. 1 Clymer in the sectional final Thursday evening at Southwestern Central School.

“We have worked so hard and pulled together as a team, working together on offense and defense, and getting strong leadership from the seniors,” said Ellicottville head coach Katie Auge, who won a state championship as a player at Salamanca in 2008. ” … It’s all coming together at the right time.”

Clymer's Janelle Burchanowski attempts to spike a ball over a block attempt by Ellicottville's Ande Northrup (2) and Hayden Andera (6) during Thursday's Section VI Class D final at Southwestern. P-J photo by Matt Spielman

Next up for the Eagles, sectional champions for the second time in program history, is a Far West Regional date with Section V’s champion at 3 p.m. next Saturday at Lake Shore High School.

The Rochester area still has four teams alive for its Class D title. York and C.G. Finney will play for the Class D1 title, while Fillmore and Elba will play for the Class D2 title tonight at Pavilion High School. The overall Class D title match is Tuesday at Avon High School.

“We have become such a strong, tight-knit family,” Auge said. “We are conquering everything that comes at us one point at a time, together.”

Ellicottville started slowly in all three sets Thursday against the Pirates. Clymer led as late as 14-13 before the Eagles eventually took a 17-16 lead on a kill from Natalee Leiper. That started a seven-point service string from Karle Northrup that took advantage of misplays from the Pirates more than anything.

“She’s the only freshman on the team, but she’s a gamer,” Auge said of Northrup. “She comes in and she brings it.”

Clymer made it 24-18, but senior Hayden Andera closed out the set with a kill for Ellicottville.

Again in the second set, the Pirates led by as much as 6-1 early on a kill from Lily Johnson. The Eagles eventually tied the set at 9-all, 11-all, 12-all and 13-all before taking control. With Ande Northrup at the service line, Ellicottville went on a seven-point run to make it 20-13.

“We like to battle. We do that often, we get behind and fight for every point one at a time,” Auge said. “They have what it takes and they really pull together at the right times. They keep pushing. They have no quit.”

The Eagles eventually closed out the set with three straight service points, including a pair of aces, from Izzy Coburn.

“We have a next-point mentality. Whatever happened, it’s OK, the next point is ours,” Auge said. “That has really helped us be successful.”

With a trip to the state quarterfinals in sight, Ellicottville got off to a better start in the third set, leading 9-3 early on another ace from Coburn. A kill from Leiper made it 15-5, prompting a timeout from Clymer head coach Velvet Persons. Leiper followed with another kill to make it 16-5 and the Eagles’ lead ballooned to as many as 12 later in the set.

“Her leadership is everything. She has really gone above and beyond this year with that leadership,” Auge said of Leiper. “She’s been in control and a focal point for the setter to go to her to continue a play or get a point.”

The closest the Pirates got down the stretch was eight before Ellicottville scored the final three points, including kills from Leiper and Riley Whitmer, to put the match away.

The Eagles will be looking to make their second ever trip to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association final four with a Far West Regional victory next Saturday. When Ellicottville advanced in 2012, it won a state title.

“I believe we can do it every time. This team stands out. They care so much and they want it for each other. They don’t want it just for themselves, but for each other,” Auge said. “I very well do think we can go far.”

NOTES: Janelle Burchanowski had 11 digs, 11 assists and a block; Johnson had nine kills, an ace and seven digs; and Harleigh Faulkner had four digs and four kills for Clymer. … Leiper had 13 kills and eight digs; Ande Northrup had 18 assists, seven digs and four aces; Whitmer had 10 kills and four digs; and Coburn had four aces for Ellicottville.