Check out the previews for the nine SOL girls’ volleyball teams that will begin play in Tuesday’s opening round of the District One AAA Tournament. Upper Merion, the tournament’s top seed, has an opening round bye.
Central Bucks East has been on the rise under coach Scott Geller, and this year, the Patriots took the giant step from fourth place last season to an SOL Continental Conference championship this season.
The second-year coach – who led the Patriots to the second round of districts in his first season at the helm - admits he came into the season with perhaps higher expectations than his players.
“I think they were a little undecided coming in, but when they heard how excited I was about the season and the outlook of our coaches from the preseason workouts we had, I think we started to align from our goal perspective,” Geller said. “Winning the conference was my goal, even from the end of last year.
“I don’t think we thought it was a reality until we saw the team play this year, and once they saw themselves play and knew what we were capable of, they bought into that goal pretty quickly.”
Returning players from last year’s varsity included Hannah Lunak, Rachel Clow, Lindsay McIntosh, Erin Lane, Laura Kennedy and Nicole Krzeminski.
“They were my first kids with the program, and they bought into our systems right away, so it was more or less taking the new jayvee kids I brought up from last year and now putting these two groups of kids together,” Geller said.
East’s jayvee program has been a successful one.
“I believe their record the last two or three years was 16-1 or 17-1, so I knew we had a good group of kids coming up,” Geller said. “It was nice to see pretty much from the first workout we had that there wasn’t a learning curve that needed to be had.”
Newcomers to the varsity included junior setter Lauren Helveston.
“She’s definitely stepped in where she needed to, and she’s doing a fantastic job for us,” Geller said. “Bridget Terrel is an outside hitter, and she’s putting up numbers with our top contributors on the team for most kills.”
Other newcomers who see action include Krista Helveston, Natalie Arm and Kelly Guillen.
It’s been a winning combination for the Patriots, who last year served notice that they would be heard from when they defeated a nemesis North Penn squad. This year, the Patriots got over another hump when they defeated archrivals Central Bucks West and Central Bucks South.
“I keep telling them, ‘Keep working hard. All the other goals you want are attainable. It’s on you girls to play to your maximum potential every time,’” Geller said. “Once we won the title, obviously, our next goal was to get back to districts, which we solidified.
“They still want to meet what they did last year. It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be like the match we had last year with Hatboro (a 3-1 opening round district win). We have to play our game. If we win, we win, and if we lose, we just work harder for next year.”
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Zech States took over the helm of a Pennridge program in desperate need of stability.
The former Pennridge standout - who was part of the Rams’ run to a district title and state runner-up finish - has given the program just that. The Rams have a winning record for the first time since the 2009-10 season when they captured the Continental Conference title.
It turns out States has learned his lessons well playing under coach Dave Childs and then returning to assist the successful coach of the boys’ program the last two season.
“I learned a lot of things just from watching Dave coach,” States said. “Going into the girls’ season, my main goal was to be that steady coach that the girls needed.
“They were telling me they’ve gone through five coaches in the last four years, so they never had stability. I wanted them to know I wasn’t going to bail out on them, I was going to stick around.”
States admits the players – colored undoubtedly by their experiences over the past several years – might not have been convinced initially.
“At first, they were kind of like, ‘I don’t know how this is going to be,’ but once they saw how I was coaching and what kind of person I was, they really respected me,” he said.
From the moment he began holding open gyms, States realized his squad was blessed with some talent.
“I said, to the girls, ‘I have high expectations for you because it’s a good group of girls, and I think we can turn things around from the past couple of years. I think there’s a chance we can have a playoff berth,’” States said.
His words turned out to be prophetic. The Lady Rams are the 20th seed in the District One AAA Tournament.
It has been, according to States, a team effort. Senior Kara Weaver is the team’s libero.
“Her first couple of years she wanted to be a hitter, and last year she was moved to libero,” States said. “She wasn’t all for it right away, but she picked it up.
“She’s doing real well for the team. She’s aggressive, and that helps.”
Senior Julia Donnely is one of the team’s setters.
“Julia and Kara are the captains, and you can tell by how they interact with the team that everyone looks up to them,” States said. “It’s important to have good captains like that.
“The girls will go to them if they need something or to get advice. They are both an asset to the team.”
The squad boasts a strong junior nucleus that includes middle hitter Lauren Drugotch.
“She’s a leader on the team even as a junior,” States said. “Arianna Pryzbylowski comes to practice every day ready to go, and she’s a good team player as well.
“Meghan Keefe, our other setter, is one of the hardest workers on the team, and she’s getting better each and every day. It’s good to see these girls wanting to get better, especially as underclassmen because they have years to go, and they will make the upcoming years even better.”
The team’s top hitters are junior Victoria Jones and freshman Steph Judkins.
“They’re phenomenal,” States said. “They’re great outside hitters. They’re the definition of an outside hitter. When you need to get out of a rut, you can rely on them if you set the ball up there to get a kill. They’re doing great.”
The present may be good, but the future is even brighter for a young Ram squad.
“This year we’re doing good, and I’m grateful we made the playoffs, but it’s good to know you can improve going on in the future,” States said.
#1 UPPER MERION (BYE)
Upper Merion
- 19-0 overall
- 14-0 SOL American Conference champions (seventh consecutive undefeated conference season.
- Defeated fourth-seeded Strath Haven (3-0), sixth-seeded Garnet Valley (3-1), PCL power Cardinal O’Hara (3-0), 16th seeded Hatboro-Horsham (3-0, 3-0) and 26th-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-0, 3-0).
- Led by four-year starter Melanie Ingram, an all-state selection who surpassed the 1,000-kill mark for career.
Players to watch: Melanie Ingram (Sr., OH, leads team in kills and aces), Emily Shannon (Jr., OH, leads team in digs and service points), Niki Carpenter (Jr., MH, leads team in blocks), Eryn Brady (Jr., MH, leads team in hitting percentage), Ashley Shannon (Jr., S, leads team in assists).
Coach Tony Funsten says: “Upper Merion is experienced and ready to make a run at regaining the district title they won in 2010 and 2011.”
#22 DOWNINGTOWN WEST at #11 PENNSBURY
Pennsbury
- 12-3 overall
- 11-1 SOL National Conference champions
- Only conference loss came at the hands of William Tennent (3-1)
- Earned wins over 12th-seeded William Tennent (3-2), 17th-seeded Council Rock North (3-0, 3-1) and 19th-seeded Central Bucks South (3-0).
Players to watch: Cara Reilly (Sr., OH), Taylor McCartney (Sr., Opposite), Ava Patterson (Jr., OH), Lauren Bransfield (Jr., MB), Dagny Gould (Soph., L)
Coach Michael Falter says: “The team is playing their best volleyball and finally putting together all of the elements we have been working on all season. Our skills have improved but more importantly our ability to be disciplined and give a consistent effort to the little things has raised our play to another level. We honestly feel that we can hang with any team as long as all six girls on the court stay focused and avoid small mental errors. We're looking forward to what hopes to be a long and exciting playoff run!”
Downingtown West
- 7-7 Ches-Mont National Division (sixth place)
- Rebuilding year after losing key players to graduation
- Led by returning veteran Kacey Feairheller (Sr., OH)
#21 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST at #12 WILLIAM TENNENT
William Tennent
- 19-3 overall
- 10-2 SOL National Conference (second place)
- Enters postseason riding an 18-game winning streak
- Earned wins over 14th-seeded Penncrest (3-2), 25th-seeded Ridley (3-0) and 26th-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-0)
- Handed Pennsbury its only league loss (3-1) after falling to the Falcons in five early in the season
- Split with 17th-seeded Council Rock North (2-3, 3-2)
- Fell to fifth-seeded West Chester Henderson (3-0)
- Defense the trademark of a Tennent squad whose engine is senior libero CC Weir.
Players to watch: Cecilia Weir (Sr., L), Chelsea Gallagher (Sr., OH), Casey McMahon (Sr., DS), Ashley Weidman (Jr., MH), Jaime Bonner (Jr., OH), Amber Wood (Jr., MH), Maddie Richard (Jr.), Shea Conway (Soph., RS), Alex Koppany (Soph., S)
Coach Brian Bassler says: “We are currently riding an 18-game winning streak, but at this time of the year, streaks and records are thrown out the window. This is basically the start of a new season – it doesn't matter who you play or where. We learned a lot from our playoff experience last season, and we know we have to bring our ‘A’ game against West. We played earlier in the season at home, and it was a really competitive matchup. We know each other pretty well since we have played every year since 2004. It is going to be a great match. This is what you play all year for, to get in these exciting moments and to have these experiences. It is going to be great for both sides. We don't have any goals other than to beat the team in front of us, so Tuesday night is all we are thinking about.”
Central Bucks West
- 12-5 overall
- 8-4 SOL Continental Conference (tied for third with Pennridge)
- Defeated 17th-seeded Council Rock North (3-0)
- Split with 19th-seeded Central Bucks South (3-1, 1-3) and 20th-seeded Pennridge (3-2, 0-3)
- Lost to 12th-seeded William Tennent (3-0) and 18th-seeded Central Bucks East (3-0, 3-2)
#19 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH at #16 HATBORO-HORSHAM
Hatboro-Horsham
- 14-3 overall
- 12-2 SOL American Conference (second place)
- Only conference losses came at the hands of Upper Merion
- Defeated 18th-seeded Central Bucks East (3-1) and 26th-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-0, 3-0)
Players to watch: Sam Jones (Jr., OH), Candyce Riley (Jr., L), Cassidy Quattro (Soph., OH), Katie McKay (Sr., S), Alexa Kennedy (Jr., RS), Jamie Stoczko (Soph., MH)
Coach Kathy Tanner says: “Although the Hatters are a young team, they have defeated Council Rock North before in a tournament (seed 16 vs. seed 17), so they are excited to take them on again. It should be a competitive match. Assuming the Hatters win, the next round provides the Hatters another opportunity to take on their league rivals, Upper Merion. They are eager for a chance to play them again.”
Council Rock North
- 9-5 overall
- 9-3 SOL National Conference (third place)
- Split season series with Williams Tennent (3-2, 2-3)
- Lost to fourth-seeded Strath Haven (3-0) and 11th-seeded Pennsbury (3-0, 3-1)
18 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST at #15 HAVERFORD
Central Bucks East
- 13-4 overall
- 12-2 SOL Continental Conference champions
- Swept season series with 21st-seeded Central Bucks West (3-0, 3-2)
- Split season series with 19th-seeded Central Bucks South (3-1, 2-3) and 20th-seeded Pennridge (3-2, 0-3)
- Lost to 16th-seeded Hatboro-Horsham (3-1) and top-seeded Upper Merion (3-0)
Players to watch: Lindsay McIntosh (Sr., MB), Hannah Lunak (Sr., Opposite), Rachel Clow, (Sr., OH), Lauren Helveston (Jr., S), Bridget Terrel (Jr., OH), Kelly Guillen (Jr., MB), Erin Lane (Soph., L)
Coach Scott Geller says: “CB East has a tough matchup against a strong Haverford team, but it’s nothing that we won’t be prepared for. Our whole team - not just the players listed - is a very special group of girls this year. From day one of preseason, they wanted the conference title, and they went out and got it. We are really excited to be back in districts and are going to work hard to try to get back to where we were last year and surpass that mark. The district tournament this year is loaded with strong teams, and it should be an interesting ride!”
Haverford
- 11-6 overall
- Injury-plagued season continues with middle hitter Bridget Newman sidelined
- Libero Arden Vizzard and setter Katie Lane return to lineup after being sidelined with injuries.
#19 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH at #14 PENNCREST
Central Bucks South
- 11-5 overall
- 9-3 SOL Continental Conference (second place)
- Defeated 26th-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-1)
- Split with 18th-seeded Central Bucks East (1-3, 3-2), 20th-seeded Pennridge (3-1, 0-3) and 21st-seeded Central Bucks West (3-1, 1-3)
- Lost to 11th-seeded Pennsbury (3-0)
Coach Ulana Keer says: “The key to CB South having success will be Jax Babezki and Jackie Haffey, our middles, having strong performances. We will need to have solid serving, serve receive and defensive performances from Lindsey Edling, Erin Cleary and Larissa Keer. We will need to have solid all-around play from Cecilia Miller and Madi Conroy. Taylor Danilowicz and Caitlyn McCrory will need to be at their best! It will be an exciting opportunity for us. I hope the girls understand what is presented and go for it!”
Penncrest
- 16-5 overall
- Only losses at the hands of fourth-seeded Strath Haven, sixth-seeded Garnet Valley and 12th-seeded William Tennent (3-2)
- Led by libero Andrea Hartman and freshman outside hitter Diana Balta
#20 PENNRIDGE at #13 SUN VALLEY
Pennridge
- 10-4 overall
- 8-4 SOL Continental Conference (tied for third with Central Bucks West)
- Won seven straight matches to close out regular season, sweeping opponents in all seven matches.
- Included in that winning streak were wins over 18th-seeded Central Bucks East, 19th-seeded Central Bucks South and 21st-seeded Central Bucks West.
- Split season series with Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South and Central Bucks West
Players to watch: Kara Weaver (Sr., L), Julia Donnely (Sr., S), Lauren Drugotch (J., MH), Victoria Jones (Jr., OH), Meghan Keefe (Jr., S), Arianna Pryzbylowski (Jr., MH), Steph Judkins (Fr., OH)
Sun Valley
- 11-7 overall
- 8-6 Ches-Mont American Division (second place)
- Closed out regular season with a 3-2 win over 22nd-seeded Downingtown West
- Madison McCunney and Chelsea Jones lead the team at the net while Emily Stokarski anchors the defense.
#26 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH at #7 AVON GROVE
Plymouth Whitemarsh
- 10-7 overall
- 9-4 SOL American Conference (third place)
- Only conference losses came at hands of top-seeded Upper Merion and 16th-seeded Hatboro-Horsham
- Lost to fifth-seeded West Chester Henderson, 12th-seeded William Tennent and 19th-seeded Central Bucks South.
Avon Grove
- 11-3 Ches-Mont National Division (third place)
- Extended second-seeded Downingtown East to five before falling 3-2
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