Nine SOL teams will be in action when the District One Class AAA Tournament begins Tuesday. Check out the preview capsules.
#2 UPPER MERION (Bye)
Upper Merion
- 17-0 overall
- 14-0 SOL American Conference champions for sixth consecutive year
- Defeated PCL power Cardinal O’Hara 3-1
- Swept Villa Maria Academy (the number one seed in Class AA)
- Edged third-seeded Garnet Valley 3-2
- Led by senior Casey Griffith and junior Melanie Ingram
- Ranked 4th in the latest Philly area VBCoaches.com poll
- Will face winner of William Tennent/CB South game
#26 ABINGTON at #7 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH
Council Rock North
- 12-4 overall
- 11-1 SOL National Conference champions
- Ranked 13th in the latest Philly area VBCoaches.com poll
Abington
- 9-9 overall
- 8-6 SOL American Conference (third place)
Players to watch: Liz Gassman (Sr., Captain, OH, 6-1) “She is a phenomenal player,” coach Jea Lee said. “Her volleyball IQ is unparalleled. She is like a coach on the court. She is the best volleyball player to come out of Abington High School. She will be playing for Marist College D-1 on a volleyball scholarship. Her tenacity and competitive attitude are contagious. She is the heart and soul of this talented team.” Regina Seweryn (Sr., MH, 6-0) “She is the anchor of the front middle,” Lee said. Allison Rooney (Sr., Captain, L) “Allison is the leader in the back row,” Lee said. “She reads hitters very well. She’s the best passer on the team.” Carley Cooper (Soph., OH, 5-11) “She is an all-around player,” Lee said. “She’s very athletic and smart.” Emma Garg (Fr., S) “Her youth will not be a factor to set for this team,” Lee said. “She makes good decisions.”
Coach Jea Lee says: “This is the second time in school history Abington has made it to the playoffs. We set goals at the beginning of the season to not only make it to the playoffs but to go deep into districts. We have talented players on this team. We have seven strong seniors, and we will fight for every ball and every point. It should be an exciting first round of playoffs against a strong Council Rock North team.”
#25 CONESTOGA at #8 PENNSBURY
Pennsbury
- 12-3 overall
- 10-2 SOL National Conference (second place)
- Split with seventh-seeded Council Rock North
- Earned late season win over fourth-seeded Strath Haven
- Ranked 14th in the latest Philly area VBCoaches.com poll
Players to watch: “It’s hard to say because each girl has stepped up at one point this season,” coach Michael Falter said.
Coach Michael Falter says: “I believe we can make a run at a district title. Each position has the capability of taking over a match. Hopefully we can play inspired volleyball and extend our season a few more weeks.”
Conestoga
- 10-7 overall
- 8-7 Central League (fifth place)
- Lost twice to both #24 Penncrest and #16 Haverford
- Defeated #28 Lower Merion
#23 RADNOR at CENTRAL BUCKS WEST
Central Bucks West
- 14-2 overall
- 10-2 SOL Continental Conference champions
- First championship since 1999
- Won 14 in a row before dropping last two matches of regular season
Radnor
- 9-8 overall
- 9-6 Central League (sixth place)
#20 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST at HATBORO-HORSHAM
Hatboro-Horsham
- 15-2 overall
- 12-2 SOL American Conference (second place)
- Only two losses to second-seeded Upper Merion
Players to watch: Lauren Laucella (Sr., MB), Sam Jones (Soph., OH/S), Candyce Riley (Soph., L/DS/OH), Caitlin Kotzbach (Sr., DS/L), Quinn O’Donnell (Jr., MB/OH)
Coach Kathy Tanner says: “The Lady Hatters have been working on fine tuning a strong lineup for playoffs. They are pleased with their bracket, they feel confident that they have the right combination of players to get through the next few playoff games.”
Central Bucks East
- 11-5 overall
- 8-4 SOL Continental Conference (fourth place)
Players to watch: Courtney Kauffman (Sr., MH)
Coach Scott Geller says: “CB East has had a great transition year. We’ve learned new systems and play with a new sense of confidence, and only good things are still to come. We have a tough first round matchup that we are preparing hard for, but win or lose or draw, all I want is for my kids to know they left nothing on the table.”
#19 WEST CHESTER RUSTIN at #14 NORTH PENN
North Penn
- 13-4 overall
- 9-3 SOL Continental Conference (tied for second place)
- Wins over #12 Methacton and #10 Central Bucks West
West Chester Rustin
- 9-7 overall
- 9-5 Ches-Mont American Conference (second place)
#18 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH at #15 WILLIAM TENNENT
William Tennent
- 13-4 overall
- 9-3 SOL National Conference (third place)
- Win over #9 Pennsbury
Players to watch: Maria Jose Alanis (Sr., Middle Hitter), CC Weir (Jr., Libero), Jaime Bonner (Soph., Outside Hitter), Hannah Washam (Sr., Setter), Chelsea Gallagher (Jr., Outside Hitter)
Coach Brian Bassler says: “This should be a great match. We know they have some real weapons, and we played them very tight at the Quakertown Tournament. Abby Mummert is one of the best players in the area, and we know we have to try and contain her as well as their middle hitters.”
Central Bucks South
- 11-4 overall
- 9-3 SOL Continental Conference (tied for second place)
- Win over #10 Central Bucks South
Players to watch: Abby Mummert (Sr., Captain) “We are expecting Abby to lead the team with all-around play on the court,” coach Ulana Keer said. “We expect Madi Conroy to lead the offense with energy. Heather Kobrzynski, Cecelia Miller, Mess Berton, Caitlyn McCrory, Lindsey Edling and Larissa Keer will keep our defense and serving on track. Lauren Wise, Jax Babezki, Ally Horvath, Taylor Danilowicz and Jackie Haffey are expected to keep our offensive line at the net strong.”
Coach Ulana Keer says: “I am hoping our team will play smart and play to the level we are capable of. I know every team in the district is sharp, including Tennent. We will be ready to step up to enjoy every minute of every play on the court this week.”
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