Check out the results for SOL girls’ volleyball teams in action Tuesday.
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UPPER DUBLIN 3, UPPER MERION 2 (22-25, 25-15, 21-25, 25-14, 15-13)
Wins over an Upper Merion squad that has been the standard bearer for girls’ volleyball in not only the league but also in the district are few and far between for SOL teams.
Upper Dublin made history when the Flying Cardinals – for the first time in program history – defeated the Vikings in a hard fought match.
“They have a great program, and any time you can beat them – this is such a big deal for Upper Dublin because we have never gone this far before,” UD coach Paul Choi said. “It’s a big step in the right direction. It’s really turning the program around.
“Ever since last year where we got off on the right foot, and we took a set from Upper Merion and going to this year where we went to five sets the first time around, we didn’t want the same thing to happen.
“When the fifth set came up, everybody was so motivated and so ready to take it from them, and they really earned it. It was 14-13, and the rally was pretty long. It was going back and forth, and the girls earned the win. It was a great feeling afterwards.”
With the win, the Cardinals and Vikings finished tied for first place in the American Conference standings with identical 13-1 records.
“This was a match that Upper Dublin has been anticipating ever since losing the first time around at Upper Merion,” Choi said. “These girls were hungry and very motivated and knew what was on the line. An opportunity to earn co-conference champions was all the players had to hear to get fired up for the match and really stepped up when needed.
“A major milestone was achieved at Dublin tonight: finally coming on top and tying for first place in our conference. This has been a first in the history of Upper Dublin volleyball's program and will look to continue this run.”
The Cardinals lost the first set but won the second. They trailed 2-1 but then won the fourth set, setting the stage for the pivotal fifth set.
“We actually had a chance to watch them play beforehand, so we felt somewhat prepared, we felt good,” Choi said. “Being able to go five sets with them the first time really showed that we could hang with anyone if everyone is going 100 percent all out.
“We stayed positive, we stayed aggressive, and we tried to put them out of system as much as possible. We tried to frustrate them because we knew who their hot hitters were. Carlye Odorisio is going to get her points, she’s going to lead their team. It showed as the sets went on – especially in sets two and four when we took the game – their side was very frustrated, so they let down a little bit, and we kind of took advantage of that and kept rolling with it.”
Gabbi Johnson and Jenny McAneney both finished with double-doubles. Johnson had 19 kills and 27 digs to go along with five aces.
“Gabbi – this being her last year as a senior – she was going all out,” Choi said. “She’s one of our biggest competitors, whether it’s in practice or in the actual match.
“I give her credit for being able to get 19 kills for a player who is actually a libero. She’s coming out and playing outside for the team because that’s where we need her. She’s making sacrifices for the team and progressed and transitioned very well into our outside hitter and has done a tremendous job all season long.”
McAneney had a career high 26 kills to go along with three blocks and 28 digs.
“Jenny has also progressed very, very well in the offseason and from last year,” Choi said. “She has not surprisingly been an impact player.
“She jumps through the roof, she has an arm like a cannon. We take a lot of risks with her. Wherever her set is, I just tell her to stay aggressive and go with her shot because not a lot of people can stop her swing when she’s on, and she was definitely on today.”
Sophomore Bryn Stek surpassed the 1,000-assist mark, finishing with 65 assists to go along with one ace, two kills and nine digs.
“It’s a big milestone for her and something she’s been working toward,” Choi said. “The fact that she hit it this year in her second year as a varsity setter is a tremendous feat.”
Also making important contributions for the Cardinals were Alison Gouveia (nine kills, three blocks), Sarah Dennin (nine kills, four blocks), Josie Barrett (one ace, 22 digs) and Maggie Weglos (11 digs).
“We have been stressing teamwork, team chemistry and the idea of playing for each other all season long and the girls did exactly that,” Choi said. “I am so proud of the team and how far we have come so far and will look to the captains for leadership.”
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2 (25-23, 25-16, 28-30, 17-25, 15-13)
If the District One AAA Tournament had started on Monday, CB South would have been on the outside looking in – the 30th team in the 29-team tournament. That served as serious motivation when the Titans took the court to face their neighboring rival.
“We wanted to make a statement,” South coach Kurt Godfrey said. “Our backs were against the wall, and hopefully, this propels us up a couple of spots so we can get into the playoffs.
“This was a win-or-go-home game for us. West put up a fight, but we dug in. Absolutely an incredible game – hard fought every single game.”
The Titans won the first two sets, but the Bucks came roaring back, winning a marathon third set (30-28) and then winning the fourth as well to set up the winner-take-all fifth set.
“We earned the first two, and we made West earn the second two,” Godfrey said. “It came down to 15-13 in the fifth game and we took it. It’s one of the most intense games I’ve been a part of.
“I think the key for us was we all came together as a team. Everybody did their jobs. Nobody got overly excited or upset about mistakes. We came together as a team. The girls played for each other, they played for the coaches and just were able to dig deep. This is what they’re capable of, and this is what we’ve been preaching to them all season long.
“Every single girl that played tonight stepped up at a certain point, whether it was serving, blocking, hitting, digs, defense or Erin Cleary setting. Meghan Dunn, our opposite, stepped in and she put at least 10 or 12 assists together when Erin took the first ball. It was an all-around team effort.”
Sarah Poli (21 kills, one block), Megan Manderson (19 kills) and Meghan Dunn (10 kills, one block) all had big nights at the net. Poli also had seven aces while Dunn and Manderson had six each. Breanna Jackson had three blocks while Alyssa Dallmer had two kills and two blocks. Cleary had 44 assists, six kills and one block, and Morgan McCrory had five aces.
“We have been getting better and better as the year’s gone on, and it’s finally starting to come together for us at the right time,” Godfrey said. “It was a big game for us. It’s a rivalry game, it’s an inter-school district rivalry. Last year, we beat CB West at their place, and they beat us at ours. This year they beat us at ours.
“What a way to finish the season on a high note, what a way to try to make a statement and case for us to make the playoffs. This was it.”
For the Bucks, who celebrated Senior Night, setter Kayla King had 46 assists, six kills, one ace, two blocks and 24 digs in a strong all-around effort. Senior Julie Schweibenz finished with a double-double – 13 kills and 14 digs – to go along with one ace and four blocks. Senior Sophia Videva had a team high 17 kills, six blocks, six aces and six digs. Katie Hudson had seven kills and three blocks. Kailey Prall had 20 digs and four assists. Seniors Deanna Mattioli (four kills, one block, two digs), Sophie Caffrey (three aces, five digs) and Jen Martyn (six digs) also contributed.
The Titans closed out league play with a 7-5 record while the Bucks are 9-3.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3, NESHAMINY 0 (25-13, 25-16, 26-24)
The Golden Hawks celebrated Senior Night with a sweep of the Redskins.
Leading the Golden Hawks at the net by Grace Laggan (eight kills) and Eliana Budny (five kills, two blocks). Setter Kelsey McGill had 11 assists, one block and one kill and Natalia Jakacki had seven digs.
PENNSBURY 3, HARRY S TRUMAN 0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-18)
The Falcons used a balanced attack in Tuesday's sweep of the Tigers. Sophomore Julia Vreeswyk had 12 kills, four digs and two aces while Elle Patterson added 10 kills and nine digs. Dagny Gould led the defense with 14 digs. She also had a team high four aces. Ali Zinnen had six kills and 11 digs, and Kate Foley had 22 assists, 14 digs and six kills.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3, NORRISTOWN 0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-12)
Olivia Carbo had a big day defensively, contributing 25 digs and also delivering four aces. Danielle Rippert led the Colonials at the net with 18 kills to go along with seven digs. Setter Bridget McTamney had 26 assists.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3, BENSALEM 0 (25-6, 25-11, 25-10)
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3, BENSALEM 0 (25-10, 25-3, 25-15)
The Indians and Owls played a rare doubleheader on Tuesday with the Indians sweeping both matches.
In the first match, senior captains Kaite Rentz and Aly Kuiken led the Indians with seven kills and two aces and five kills and four aces, respectively. Birdie Ligos added five kills and one ace. Maddy Moore sparked a strong service games with 11 aces to go along with two kills, Alyssa Coats had six aces and two kills. Setter Johanna Batterton had 20 assists and one ace. Also contributing were Mackenzie Tinner (two kills), Danae Barkley (one kills) Grace Schweizer (one kills) and Robin Smith (one kills, three aces).
In the second match, Rentz and Kuiken – the team’s senior captains – once again led the way. Rentz had five kills and 11 service aces while Kuiken had seven kills and one ace. Moore duplicated her performance from the service line with 11 aces and two kills. Coats had six kills and two aces, and Tinner had four kills and two aces. Hadley Grundman had three kills. Setter Sarah Caola had 14 assists and three aces, and Batterson had six aces. Ligos and Smith both had two kills. Smith also had an ace. Barkley, Coats and Dana Bundurick each had one kill.
The Indians improved to 10-2 in conference play (14-7 overall).
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3, SOUDERTON 0
The Patriots capped an undefeated conference season with a sweep of the Indians on Senior Night.
“What a great way to finish our season,” East coach Scott Geller said. “Congrats to all seniors and players on an undefeated season and special recognition goes out to Hannah Lamond and Emma Goll for coming back after ACL injuries and being able to serve on their Senior Night.”
For the Indians, Savannah Bostwick led the defense with 18 digs. Monica Miller (six kills, eight digs) led the Indians at the net. Haley Novak added three kills and two aces. Setter Lauren Hamilton had 12 assists and six digs. Talia Watson added six digs, and Melissa Gould had two blocks.
The Patriots closed out conference played with a perfect 12-0 mark while the Indians were 4-8 (6-12 overall).
PENNRIDGE 3, QUAKERTOWN 0
CARDINAL O’HARA 3, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-19)
Monday, Oct. 19
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3, LOWER MERION 0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-18)
The Indians swept the visiting Aces in a non-league match Monday. Birdie Ligos (eight kills, one block), Hadley Grundman (seven kills, three blocks), Danae Barkley (six kills, three blocks), Katie Rentz (six kills) and Aly Kuiken (five kills, three blocks) led a balanced Indian attack. Grundman also had three aces while Rentz had 12 digs and three aces and Ligo added 11 digs. Maddy Moore had nine digs and two aces while Robin Smith, Mackenzie Tinner and Dana Bandurick each had one kill. Setter Johanna Batterton had 30 assists and two aces.
QUAKERTOWN 3, WISSAHICKON 0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-20)
The Panthers swept the Trojans in a non-league match on Monday.
Lindsay Beck led the way with 10 kills, one ace and seven digs while Shiann Alpha (seven kills, one block), Skylar Lee (six kills, eight aces) and Ellie deGruchy (four kills, one block) also delivered at the net. Setter MacKenzie Mahler had 25 assists, six digs, one kill and one ace. Ashley Morris led the defense with nine digs to go along with two kills and two aces. Lauren Kunkle had six digs, two aces and one kill. Mary Kate Finlayson had three kills, Casey Cunnane, three digs, and Kelsey Gallagher, one kill.
PERKIOMEN VALLEY 3, SOUDERTON 0 (25-12, 25-8, 25-14)
Savannah Bostwick led the Indians defensively with 24 digs. Setter Lauren Hamilton had 12 assists and eight digs. Miranda Baronett contributed five kills while Haley Novak had three kills, and Hannah Faitweather, three blocks. Tailia Watson had three aces.
Souderton is 6-11 overall (4-7 SOL).
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