a valve comprises a barrel having a central bore , an inlet , and an outlet , and a spool disposed for motion within the central bore , including a ball tip , a metering edge , and a bore . the spool is moveable between a closed position , wherein the ball tip engages a seat to prevent fluid flow through the inlet and the metering edge is disposed in a lower chamber of the central bore to prevent the fluid flow through the outlet , and an opened position , wherein the tip is spaced apart from the seat to permit fluid flow through the inlet and the spool bore into an upper chamber of the central bore to equalize pressure on the spool , and the metering edge is disposed in a flow path of the outlet to permit fluid flow through the outlet .