CB East senior Katie Monaghan reached the 1,000-assist milestone in the Patriots’ win over Villa Joseph Marie (Monaghan photos provided by CB East volleyball) Action shot courtesy of Jon Sklut. To view a gallery of photos, please click on the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p923567849
Katie Monaghan put her name in the program’s record books in Monday’s non-league sweep of the Jems, surpassing the 1,000-assist plateau.
“Katie has been setting on varsity since her sophomore year,” East coach Jackie Curci said. “Last year was my first year taking over the program, and we have one-on-ones discussing short/long term goals throughout the season.
“Katie really wanted to push for 1000 assists, and I remember her concern with the shortened COVID season to attain over 800 assists junior/senior season alone, but she was up for the challenge and really motivated to get to work.”
For the senior setter, the milestone was a long-term goal.
“I’ve been playing volleyball since fifth grade, and when I started playing on varsity as a sophomore, I set this goal for myself,” Monaghan said. “It’s made me push myself harder to be the best I can be for my team.”
For the East senior, volleyball is a year-round sport. Monaghan plays club volleyball with East Coast Power, and her commitment to the sport carries over her to high school team.
“She worked her tail off and really leaned into the new offensive systems we set into place last year,” Curci said. “Always striving to better any ball, hustle down all touches, and tailor the needs of her hitters. It’s been great teamwork by all, and as one of our team leaders, she recognizes her teammates in helping hit this milestone.”
Monaghan’s teammates were aware that she was approaching a milestone in Monday’s match.
“During the match, the team knew Katie had seven assists left until hitting her 1000, but Katie has been focused on the game and wasn’t sure where she was at,” Curci said. “Villa did a great job keeping us out of system, so that Katie was defending instead of setting for a majority of the first whole set. It had all of us even more anxiously awaiting her assists.
“Any time Katie set, her teammates were chomping at the bit to put the ball away, and the defenders were hungry for the ball to set up the offense and notch off assists from the total count. It was great to see the enthusiasm and teamwork tonight. Finally, during the second set, Katie hit her milestone and her, the team, coaches, and families couldn’t have been happier.”
There was no mistaking the significance of the accomplishment to the senior setter.
“It means so much to me to get 1000 assists,” Monaghan said. “It represents all the hard work and dedication over the past three seasons.
“Most importantly, it shows the hard work of the whole team because I couldn’t have achieved this goal without the help of my talented teammates. Thank you to my family, friends, teammates, and coaches for making this night really special for me.”
“The coaching staff and team are so happy for her hitting this milestone!” Curci said. “Congrats Katie!”
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3, VILLA JOSEPH MARIE 0 (25-8, 25-20, 26-24)
It was a good day for the Patriots.
Not only did setter Katie Mongahan reach a milestone, the Patriots earned a sweep of the Jems.
“The team made an incredible comeback from 8-18 in the last set,” East coach Jackie Curci said. “The girls all pulled together and showed a lot of discipline.
“Senior setter Katie Monaghan hit her milestone 1,000 assists in this match.”
Maddy Ware (14 kills, 6 digs, 1 block) and Kate Malobisky (11 kills, 3 digs, 2 aces) both had big games for the Patriots. Monaghan (15 assists, 11 digs, 2 aces) and Mettille (10 assists, 7 digs, 3 aces) split setting duties. Aimee Wolf (2 kills, 2 blocks), Steph Bahner (1 kill), Sam Sharp (2 kills, 1 dig, 2 blocks), Megan Colbert (5 digs, 1 assist, 3 aces), Arya Haridas (3 digs, 3 assists) and Sydney Groves (1 dig, 1 block) also contributed.
Central Bucks East (10-7, 9-2 SOL) will host Germantown Academy in a non-league match on Wednesday.
GWYNEDD MERCY 3, SOUDERTON 2 (17-25, 25-16, 21-25, 25-16, 15-13)
The visiting Indians took a 2-1 lead only to see the Monarchs rally to win the next two sets to eke out the five-set win.
Teya McConoha (10 kills, 2 digs, 2 blocks) and McKenna Murawski (9 kills, 9 digs, 2 blocks) led the Indians at the net. Alexa Mazzeo’s 24 digs led the defense. Setter Margaret Donnelly had 19 assists and eight digs. Kay Guessford had three kills, three aces and six digs.
Souderton (12-6, 6-4 SOL) will host Central Bucks South Tuesday.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 3, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-18)
The visiting Bucks combined a strong night hitting at the net and an excellent serve receive game to earn a sweep of the Hatters.
Alexis Barklage led a balanced attack with nine kills, one block, two aces and two digs while Rachel Hu (5 kills, 3 aces, 9 digs, 1 assist), Hollis Walton (5 kills, 1 ace, 1 block), Presley Adams (4 kills, 1 block) and Mackenzie Lund (3 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocks, 2 digs) also contributed. Elisa Kremser (1 kill, 1 block, 12 assists) and Erin Ferello (10 assists, 1 ace). Alexa Lee led the Bucks at the service line, finishing with five aces and seven digs. Amber Woodring (7 digs) and Caroline Taylor (5 digs) also contributed to the defense.
Central Bucks West (12-4, 7-3 SOL) will host Pennridge on Tuesday, and Hatboro-Horsham (5-11, 4-6) will host Upper Dublin on Tuesday.
NESHAMINY 3, NAZARETH ACADEMY 0
WISSAHICKON 3, HARRY S TRUMAN 2
DOWNINGTOWN WEST 3, NORTH PENN 2
WEST CHESTER EAST 3, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0
Friday, Oct. 14
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 3, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2
(Check back for a feature about Mia Chuma’s 1,000-kill milestone attained during Friday’s win)
Led by the 18-kill effort of senior Mia Chuma, the Lions earned a hard-fought non-league win in five sets.
“The girls battled through with great energy and teamwork, and we lost to a tough New Hope team,” East coach Jackie Curci said.
Maddy Ware turned in a standout effort of her own, finishing with 20 kills, three blocks, nine digs and three aces. Aimee Wolf added 10 kills, one assist and five blocks, and Kate Malobisky also had 10 kills to go along with eight digs and five aces. Kate Monaghan (25 assists, 2 blocks, 12 digs) and Mia Mettille (13 assists, 3 aces, 1 kill, 1 block, 6 digs) shared setting duties. Also contributing were Arya Haridas (two aces, one assist, four digs), Sam Sharp (1 ace, 2 blocks), Megan Colbert (3 aces, 1 assist, 4 digs), Steph Bahner (2 kills, 3 blocks, 1 dig), Emily Arslan (1 kill) and Calli Pasternak (1 dig).
WILLIAM TENNENT 3, CENTRAL 1
The Panthers defeated visiting Central in a non-league match on Friday.
Emmerson McElhinney (10 kills), Allyson Brown (8 kills) and Charlotte Reeves (7 kills, 14 digs, 4 aces) led the Panthers at the net. Addy Criss had 14 digs while Marguax Kellum had nine digs and four aces. Setter Izzy Goebel had 32 assists and three aces.
William Tennent (13-6, 6-4 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South on Tuesday.
SOUDERTON 3, MOUNT ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY 1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-19)
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