PENNRIDGE 3, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-21, 25-18)
The Lady Rams – under second-year coach Zech States – have been on the rise, and they showed just how far they’ve come with Thursday’s win over the defending Continental Conference champions.
“This year is a big year for us because we have five seniors that have been playing forever,” States said. “Beating East in the beginning of the year, I think the girls expectations jumped even greater.
“They were supposed to be the best in the conference. The sky is the limit. We have to keep pushing them. I think they realize with a little bit of work and some more practices – if we keep getting better, we could put a pretty good run on this year.”
The team’s five seniors – setter Meghan Keefe, middle blocker Lauren Drugotch, middle blocker Ariana Pryzbylowski, outside hitter Victoria Jones and libero Kelly Bergen – all made important contributions. Drugotch and Pryzbylowski were an imposing presence in the middle, combining for 10 blocks. Jones was Keefe’s favorite target, finishing with a team high 16 kills. Bergen led the defense with 18 digs, and sophomore Steph Judkins also had a big night, contributing 10 kills, four aces and 15 digs.
According to States, junior defensive specialist/opposite hitter Ana Vitantonio also came up big.
“Ana played well defensively, and she had six aces,” States said. “Her presence defensively and all the way around – she played well.”
According to States, Thursday’s conference opener was hardly a classic.
“Believe it or not, it was a pretty sloppy match,” he said. “It’s a big match for the beginning the season, and I think nerves played into it on both sides.
“Our serving was pretty awful. There were times we went back, and two or three servers in a row missed their first serve. It can’t be like that, but I think what helped us was just the overall chemistry our team had together. Our captains (Keefe and Drugotch) stepped up and said, ‘Hey, look, we’re a better team. We have to play together and do what it takes to pull out this win,’ and they did.”
For the Patriots, Natalie Arm led the way with 10 kills and three aces. Bridget Terrell six kills and two aces. Setter Lauren Helveston handed out 27 assists and also had two aces. The Patriots are already looking forward to the rematch later this season.
UPPER MERION 3, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-16)
In a battle of perennial conference rivals, the Lady Hatters put up a tough fight, but the reigning conference and district champion Vikings prevailed in three sets. According to Hatters’ coach Kathy Tanner, the Hatters had plenty to be proud of despite the loss.
For the Hatters, senior Sam Jones led the offense with 12 kills, followed by Candyce Riley with five. The strong defense was a team effort, led by Riley with 15 digs, Jones with 12 digs, and sophomore Allison Laucella with 10 digs. All three shared impressive serve receive scores. Riley also contributed 17 assists in the match.
Emily Shannon led the Vikings with 13 kills while Eryn Brady and Niki Carpenter chipped in with seven and six kills respectively. Ashley Shannon keyed the defense with her 26 digs while Emily Shannon added 18 along with Emma Andraka, who contributed 10 digs. Carlye Odorisio set the offense with her 27 assists.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 2-0 overall (1-0 SOL).
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 3, QUAKERTOWN 0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-17)
The Bucks used a balanced team effort in their sweep of the Panthers. Kelly McKinstry (three aces, 11 digs, one kill), Sophia Videva (three kills, three aces, one block), Kayla King (three kills, two aces, 13 assists), Katie Hudson (three kills, two aces, one block), Ashley Juliano (three kills, one ace) and Julia Schweibenz (three kills, one ace) all made contributions.
NORRISTOWN 3, WISSAHICKON 1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23)
The Eagles used a strong defensive effort to defeat the neighboring Trojans in Thursday’s season opener.
“The key to our success was the minimal serving errors collectively,” coach Bernadette Vereb said.
Sophomore setter Ceida Branca contributed 10 assists, two offensive tips, two aces with 15 points on serve and no service errors
in a strong outing. Junior outside hitter Lucy Cusamono had five kills, four aces with 17 points on serve and no service errors
.
Junior middle hitter Taijah James had two offensive tips, two kills, and two blocks. Sophomore defensive specialist Maggie Falco added two saves, eight points on serve and no service errors
. Senior right side hitter Carmelina Branca had two kills, two assists to go along with 10 points on serve with 1 service error.
Also contributing was freshman outside hitter Tina Taylor with five points on serve with one service error and one save. Junior middle hitter Devon Morris chipped in with two kills, two blocks, one ace, and four points on serve with one service error
. Junior libero Jess Ellick had two kills and four saves
, and senior defensive specialist Vanessa Chandler had three saves.
UPPER DUBLIN 3, ABINGTON 1 (25-19, 16-25, 25-15, 25-14)
The Flying Cardinals upped their record to 3-0 on the young season with their win over the Ghosts in the SOL opener for both squads. Setter Bryn Stek had 36 assists and three digs. Leading the Cardinals at the net were Taylor Stek (13 kills, five digs), Jenny McAneney (10 kills, six digs), Melanie Phifer (10 kills, eight aces, eight digs) and Alison Gouveia (six kills). Gabbi Johnson led the defense with 19 digs to go along with six aces. The duo of Phifer and Johnson combined for 14 aces with Phifer delivering eight of those.
For the Ghosts, setter Carley Cooper had 19 assists. Claire Gassman (10 kills, four aces, one block) and Leah Simmons (11 kills, one block, three digs) led the Ghosts at the net. Jamie Kidd led the defense with 13 digs.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, NORTH PENN 0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-22)
Submitted by coach CB South coach Ulana Keer
It was an exciting match tonight - North Penn and South are always competitive rivals. The first game of the season is always tentative because no one is sure about the other’s abilities. We always think we are capable but so does the other team. Today we rocked. We are learning many things about ourselves the more we touch the ball. We are learning and getting better at our skills. Blocking, for example, had a huge improvement from our first match versus Cardinal O’Hara. Breana Jackson stepped up today and showed her strength. She came up big for four solo blocks. Eryn Cleary is getting stronger and stronger in her setting and is finding a good rhythm. She had 19 assists, and she also has a wicked serve and had four aces. Briana Bannach passed really well and read the ball very well. She came up big with seven digs. Meghan Dunn stepped up with great defense in game two, and she had one kill and one block. The outside hitters are on point delivering crushing hits. Taylor Danilowicz had 11 kills, and Sara Poli added eight kills. Right side Megan Manderson had three kills, two blocks and two assists. Larissa Keer dug balls everywhere and worked well with her teammates. She had 15 digs. I enjoy coaching these girls they really have fun with one another.
ARCHBISHOP WOOD 3, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-17, 26-24)
The Indians lost a tightly contested non-league match to the Vikings, winning the first set but then dropping the next two. Setter Krista Campbell had 29 assists to go along with four aces and nine digs. Katie Rentz led the defense with 23 digs. Morgan Coletio had a big night with 20 digs and 14 kills.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3, CHELTENHAM 0 (25-20, 25-11, 25-16
Wednesday, Sept. 3
WILLIAM TENNENT 3, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1 (25-18, 14-25, 26-24, 25-20)
The Panthers might be lacking in experience, but what they lack in that department, they make up for with heart and desire.
“This was one of the bigger upsets, in my mind, that I have been through, just because of where we are,” coach Brian Bassler said. “Every match is big with the new playoff system. I hope this gives our younger girls that are unsure of themselves confidence, and even our older ones – because to be truthful, Jaime (Bonner) and Alex (Koppany) are our only returning players, so hopefully this will give them the confidence to know they belong, but we still have such a long way to go.”
“We’re light years away from where we need to be, but where we are where we need to be most of the time is with that effort and intensity. They never let up. They won’t quit.”
Bassler might have had an idea that his team was onto something special when – in the second set of Wednesday’s showdown at Rock North – the Panthers rallied from a 15-3 deficit before falling by a 25-14 score.
“It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but they could have easily gotten beat 25-5,” the Panthers coach said. “They closed out the game 11-10, so it carries into the next set, and they know they belong. I love the fact that they don’t give up even when they’re that far down.”
Jaime Bonner had a huge night for the Panthers, finishing with 20 kills and nine digs. Her dominance at the net was underscored by the fact that Laura Cochrane was second in kills for the Panthers with three.
According to Bassler, defense was the name of the game for the Panthers, who had just five service aces.
“We were winning points with defense and on the rally,” the Panthers’ coach said. “I give them a lot of credit because our girls were going out and just would not let the ball die.
“Both teams were just getting crazy touches back and forth on everything.”
Maddie Richard led the Panthers’ defense with 12 digs while setter Alex Koppany had 29 assists.
Bassler lauded the play of his back row of Richard, Catherine Zhushma and Jamie George.
“They’ve just been playing well,” the Panthers’ coach said. “I really have to give credit to everybody.
“Cassie McCarney is starting to come along on the outside, and once she starts playing like she’s capable of, we’re just going to get stronger. Our two middles – Colleen McDermott and Lindsey Snock – we just never envisioned them being at varsity level right now. They’re working so hard.”
“Cadey Weir only played a limited role, but she’s like the ultimate teammate. We’re going to give her more because she plays her position perfectly. All her fundamentals are good, and she served really well.”
Thursday’s match was the league opener for both squads.
“They’re so well coached,” Bassler said. “Kinsey (Lynch) is always on top of her game. She has her kids motivated. This was just one we knew we had to play more than 100 percent effort and intensity because they’re just so strong.”
CARDINAL O’HARA 3, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-19)
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