Despite the loss of a pair of all-state players to graduation, Pennridge has continued its winning ways this season.
On Saturday, the Rams – ranked ninth in the latest state poll - captured the title at the Dallastown Invitational, compiling an impressive 13-1 record on the day. The title game was an all-SOL showdown pitting the Rams against National Conference power Council Rock North.
It took three games to determine a winner with Rock North winning the first game 25-15 only to watch the Rams come back for a 25-19 win in game two. The Rams captured the winner-take-all third game 15-11.
Earlier in the day, the Rams rolled to a perfect 8-0 mark in pool play, downing Eastern York (25-18, 25-20), Manheim Township (25-23, 27-26), Mechanicsburg (25-14, 25-14) and Holy Name (26-24, 25-13).
In the opening round of the playoffs, the Rams defeated Carlisle 25-15 and then downed Dover 25-23 in a hard-fought quarterfinal match. In the semifinals, Pennridge upended Garden Spot 25-20, setting the stage for the title match against Rock North.
For the day, Jake Braun led the defense with 70 digs. Senior setter Matt Trumbower was credited with 128 assists and eight blocks. Derek Kemmerer had 25 kills, 22 digs and six aces. Mike Shenk had 45 kills, 28 digs and six blocks. Erik Moyer had a team-high 46 kills to go along with 21 blocks. Matt Beck had 16 kills and six blocks. Ryan Chinnici had 14 kills and six blocks, and Christian Lizana had 21 digs.
Rock North, meanwhile, accumulated a 9-0 record in pool play with wins over Lower Dauphin (25-15, 25-14, 14-8), Susquehannock (25-13, 25-14, 14-12) and Dallastown (25-13, 25-18, 14-8).
As the number one seed heading into playoffs, the Indians received an opening round bye. In quarterfinal action, Rock North defeated Altoona 25-21 and then downed Christopher Dock 25-22 in the tournament semifinals, setting the stage for its title showdown against Pennridge.
Hunter Stevens led the Indians at the net in Saturday's tournament with 34 kills, eight blocks and six aces. Dan Ford had 39 assists, 24 kills, 38 digs, eight blocks and eight aces, and John Whitman had 58 assists, 27 digs, nine kills and seven blocks. Ryan Garven contributed 28 kills, 31 digs and 11 blocks. Chris Richard led the Indians defensively with 74 digs while Eric Stettner had 26 digs. Sam Byrk contributed nine blocks and seven kills.
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