Five SOL girls’ volleyball teams will be in action in Thursday’s round of the District One AAA Tournament.
Upper Merion has been the standard bearer for girls’ volleyball in the Suburban One League.
Wins are expected, losses in conference play are historic.
Seventeen conference championships tell the story, and of those 17 titles, this year’s – shared with Upper Dublin – was the first ever co-championship.
“I emphasized to them we won a championship,” coach Tony Funsten said. “You can call it a co-championship, but it doesn’t change anything. You get the trophy, you get the medals, you get the whole works.
“They’re champions, and it’s hard to be champions. It’s not easy – ask Upper Dublin.”
After falling to Upper Dublin in the season finale, setting up a tie for the title, the Vikings took a day off and then went back to work. For the first time in 12 years, the Vikings – seeded eighth – played in the opening round of districts.
“Last week was Spirit Week, and there were distractions galore,” Funsten said. “They’re high school kids, and they have other things going on. We try to balance what we’re doing sport-wise with school and other activities.
“I emphasized that we won a championship, and we talked about continuing to get better – just the stuff that makes teams successful. I told my captains (Carlye Odorisio, Micaela Ghanayem, and Micaela Ghanayem) – ‘You’ve been great. You captained a championship team, and that’s something you should be very proud of.’ I said – we need more, and they gave me more. They talked to the team and showed great leadership.”
This year’s title has been a team effort with new players stepping up and assuming lead roles.
Carolyn Helnski, who has 245 kills this season, boasts a dazzling hitting percentage of .436.
“She only has 40 errors, so that means only one out of 12 swings is an error – that’s a big number,” Funsten said.
Emma Andraka has 183 kills with a hitting percentage of .310, and she also leads the team in digs.
“It’s usually the libero who leads you in digs, but she gets a lot of positive contacts back there,” Funsten said.
Odorisio, who surpassed the 1,000-assist mark this year, has 542 assists to go along with 160 kills. She also leads the team in aces.
“I wouldn’t say she’s a traditional Upper Merion setter,” Funsten said. “She also gathers up some kills.
“She makes our hitters better because she’s a threat herself. The defense cannot gear themselves up for the hitters because they’re worried about her touching the ball and what is she going to do. It just puts enough of an edge on you. I believe that her attacking makes our hitters better.”
Ghanayem is the team’s libero.
“She’s a good digger, she’s a very good passer and serve receive,” Funsten said. “Carolyn and Micaela are getting their first opportunities.
“Carolyn played varsity for two years prior to this, but she’s been set more this year than she has in the two prior years combined. This is her time to shine, and she’s shining. She really is having a stellar year.”
Championship or co-championship, it was another stellar year for the Vikings as well. After sweeping Sun Valley in Tuesday’s opening round, they will host Downingtown West in Thursday’s second round.
#21 AVON GROVE at #5 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST
Central Bucks East
- 19-2 overall
- 12-0 SOL Continental Conference champions
- Wins over #10 Upper Dublin (3-1), #13 Central Bucks West (3-1, & 3-0), #17 West Chester Henderson, #27 Central Bucks South (3-1 & 3-0), #28 William Tennent (3-1) and #29 Pennridge (3-1, 3-0)
- Only losses came at the hands of #7 Downingtown West (3-2) and PCL power Archbishop Wood (3-1)
How they got here: In Tuesday’s opening round 3-0 win over #28 William Tennent, Natalie Arm (12 kills, four aces, seven digs) led a balanced attack. Krista Helveston (five kills, 10 digs), Erin Lane (nine digs) and setter Madie D’Angelo (nine digs) led the defense. D’Angelo also had 33 assists.
Avon Grove
- 15-8 overall
- 10-3 Ches-Mont National Division second to Bishop Shanahan
- Wins over #7 Downingtown West (3-1), #9 Downingtown East (3-2), #17 West Chester Henderson (3-2), #20 West Chester Rustin (3-1) and #23 Haverford (3-1)
How they got here: In Tuesday’s opening round, Avon Grove upset 12th-seeded Pennsbury 3-1. Julie Crabtree had 21 kills to lead Avon Grove.
#9 DOWNINGTOWN EAST at #8 UPPER MERION
Upper Merion
- 16-3 overall
- 13-1 SOL American Conference co-champions with Upper Dublin
- Wins over #10 Upper Dublin (3-2), #19 Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-0 & 3-0), #22 Abington (3-0 & 3-1), #26 Garnet Valley (3-1) and #29 Pennridge (3-1)
- Co-championship was the 17th conference crown for the Vikings
- Only SOL loss came in final match of the regular season to Upper Dublin
How they got here: Upper Merion rolled to a 3-0 win over 25th-seeded Sun Valley. Carolyn Helenski led a balanced offense with 13 kills while Emma Andraka had 10 and a team-high 17 digs. Carlye Odorisio had 28 assists and eight kills.
Downingtown East
- 16-5 overall
- 9-4 Ches-Mont National Division
- Tied for third place with West Chester Henderson and Downingtown West
How they got here: Downingtown East swept 24th-seeded Conestoga 3-0 in Tuesday’s opening round. Jasmine Ference (11 kills, eight digs) and Kelly Cherry (13 digs) led the Cougars.
#10 UPPER DUBLIN at #7 DOWNINGTOWN WEST
Upper Dublin
- 16-4 overall
- 13-1 SOL American Conference co-champions with Upper Merion
- Wins over #8 Upper Merion (3-2), 19th-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-2 & 3-0) & #22 Abington (3-2 & 3-1)
How they got here: In Tuesday’s opening round, the Flying Cardinals earned a hard fought 3-2 win over 23rd-seeded Haverford. Setter Bryn Stek (63 assists, 11 digs, six kills) as well as Jenny McAneney (season high 30 kills, 17 digs, two aces) and Gabbi Johnson (17 digs, 17 kills, two aces) put up monster numbers. Leading the defense were Josie Barrett (20 digs) and Maggie Weglos (14 digs).
Downingtown West
- 15-4 overall
- 9-4 Ches-Mont National Division
- Tied for third place with West Chester Henderson and Downingtown East
How they got here: In Tuesday’s opening round, Downingtown West swept 26th-seeeded Garnet Valley. Sophie Gelling led the Whippets at the net with 12 kills and two blocks, and Aly Reardon added nine kills.
#18 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH at #2 GREAT VALLEY
Council Rock North
- 15-7 overall
- Wins over #10 Upper Dublin (3-0) and #28 William Tennent (3-2 & 3-0)
How they got here: The Indians – after a two-plus bus trip – earned a hard fought 3-2 win over 15th-seeded Unionville in opening round action Tuesday. Senior captains Katie Rentz (15 kills, two aces, five digs, one blocks) and Aly Kuiken (eight kills, three digs, one block) led the Indians. Danae Barkley added eight kills, three blocks and one dig. Setter Johanna Batterton had 36 assists, two aces and seven digs. Maddy Moore (12 digs) and Birdie Ligos (13 digs) led the defense.
Great Valley
- 17-1 overall
- 12-1 American Division champion
- Only loss to top-seeded Bishop Shanahan (3-0)
How they got here: First round bye
#22 ABINGTON at #6 PENNCREST
Abington
- 13-7 overall
- 8-6 SOL American Conference fourth place
- Wins over #19 Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-2) and #27 Central Bucks South (3-0)
How they got here: Abington upset 11th-seeded Ridley 3-2 in an opening round match Tuesday. Leah Simmons had a huge night, contributing 26 kills, three blocks, four digs and two aces. Claire Gassman added nine kills. Jame Kidd led the defense with 15 digs, and setter Emma Garg had 43 assists.
Penncrest
- 17-3 overall
- 10-1 Central League second place
- Wins over #11 Ridley (3-0), #19 Council Rock North (3-1), #20 West Chester Rustin (3-2), #23 Haverford (3-0), #24 Conestoga (3-1) and #26 Garnet Valley #26.
- Lost to #1 Bishop Shanahan (3-1), #3 Strath Haven (3-1) and #26 Garnet Valley (3-1),
How they got here: Penncrest swept 17th-seeded Central Bucks South in Tuesday’s opening round.
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