Pennridge earned a spot in the PIAA 3A state semifinal with its win over Erie McDowell while Neshaminy saw its remarkable season end. Photo courtesy of Jon Sklut. Check the Photo Gallery for match photos.
PIAA 3A quarterfinals
#1-2 PENNRIDGE 3, #10-1 ERIE McDOWELL 2 (25-16, 15-25, 20-25, 25-15, 15-12)
And then there were four.
Four teams are still standing in the PIAA 3A State Tournament. Pennridge – the district runner-up – is one of them. The Rams made their three-hour trip to Bald Eagle High School worth their while, rallying from a 2-1 deficit to win the next two sets to notch the impressive come-from-behind win over District 10 champion Erie McDowell.
It is Pennridge’s fourth trip to the state semifinals – their first since 2016 after also advancing to the semis in 2010 and 2012.
The Rams, according to coach Dave Childs, didn’t make major adjustments in the fourth and fifth sets.
“We told them – ‘It’s 0-0. One game in front of us,’” the Rams’ coach said. “It’s the same thing I tell them this season when we win a game. Take care of what’s in front of you and that we had to stay aggressive. Also, we stayed composed.
“It was a weird match because there were blowout wins all around the match, and whatever team got off to the hot start won. Bryce Ammon got us off to a hot start in game four and then we kind of cruised and were feeling good.”
The fifth and final set was tightly contested.
“It was back and forth – we traded points until about 7-7 or 8-8,” Childs said. “We got a two-point lead, they got it back to zero and then we got a two-point lead and took it home.”
Sophomore Jude Rotondo was key in the winner-take-all fifth set, collecting four kills.
“He had a bunch of digs also,” Childs said.
Rotondo finished with 10 kills and nine digs while Ammon, a freshman, had eight kills and two aces.
“We knew they’d have to play well if we were going to win,” Childs said of his young players.
Senior setter Riley Kodidek was once again a catalyst, contributing 42 assists and three blocks. Senior Tyler Johnson was a force at the net with 12 kills and four blocks. Thomas McKinney added nine kills and 11 digs. Nick Smith had five kills and three blocks. Alex Derk (10 digs, 2 aces) and Ty Porter (7 digs) came up big defensively against a strong Erie McDowell squad.
“They were a well-balanced team, and our blocking was a huge part of our win too,” Childs said. “We didn’t have an obnoxious amount of stuff blocks, but we put the ball back on their side a lot them and made them swing two or three times to get it across, so that was a big part of it.”
With the win, Pennridge (19-2, 13-1 SOL) has earned a date against District 7 powerhouse North Allegheny in Tuesday’s state semifinals. The Rams will once again take to the road, making another trip to Bald Eagle High School.
And what is Childs’ message to his team going against the three-time defending state champion?
“To play hard and have fun,” the Rams’ coach said.
#11-1 NORTHAMPTON 3, #1-1 NESHAMINY 2 (22-25, 27-29, 25-23, 25-16, 7-15)
The Redskins battled gamely, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to even the match at two sets apiece, but they could not get over the hump, falling in the fifth and deciding set.
The lost was the first in a remarkable season for the District One champions.
"Tough way to end the season in a very contested five-set match,” Neshaminy coach Pat Klingerman said. “We came out slow and fell behind 0-2, but credit to these guys for fighting back and forcing a fifth set. Once again, we came out slow and could not recover this time.
“I am so proud of this team for everything we have accomplished this season. SOL National champions, District One champions, and undefeated up until the quarterfinals of states. A record-setting team that will rewrite the Neshaminy boys’ volleyball record books.
“I cannot say enough good things about this team and these six seniors. They put hours and hours into this all offseason and AAU season to get to where we were today. Always tough when it ends, but I am so proud of them.”
Setter Josh Adler had a big match, finishing with 47 assists, six kills, four digs and one ace. Josh Clendening led Redskins’ attack with 15 kills to go along with six digs, one ace and one block. Dan Berzin added 12 kills, three aces, five digs and one block while Josh Hamilton (9 kills, 6 digs, 4 assists, Ben Clendening (8 kills, 4 blocks, 1 dig) and Kieran Edwards (8 kills, 7 blocks) were also major contributors at the net. Michael Sooby led the Redskins’ defense with 13 digs, two aces and two assists, and Aiden Hastings had two digs and one ace.
Neshaminy closed out its season with 22-1 record overall (14-0 SOL).
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