Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ volleyball teams in action in Tuesday’s opening round of the District One 4A Tournament. CB South/WC Henderson photos provided courtesy of Jon Sklut. Check back for a gallery of photos
CLASS 4A
#14 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, #19 WEST CHESTER HENDERSON 2 (22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-18, 15-17)
The Titans dropped the first two sets of Tuesday’s district opener but staged a gutsy comeback, winning the next three.
“What a big win for our girls tonight,” South coach Kurt Godfrey said. “We started really shaky but were able to pull it together.
“The first two sets were really good volleyball, but all the breaks seemed to go to Henderson. After the second set, we were really calm and focused. We talked about controlling our side of the net and making sure we take care of the ball when we can do so.”
Senior outside hitter Millie Grove turned in a monster performance to lead the Titans, delivering 32 kills to go along with 14 digs, one ace and one assist. Junior middle hitter Breckyn Loynd added 12 kills and six digs, and junior outside hitter Katie Canzanese added nine kills, nine digs and one ace. Senior setter Shannon Rector had a busy night, handing out 52 assists. She also had 12 digs, one kill and two aces. Senior libero Rian Grant led the defense with 24 digs as well as three aces and four assists.
“We have a lot of work to do tomorrow night at practice to get ready for Bishop Shanahan,” Godfrey said.
Central Bucks South will be on the road at #3 Bishop Shanahan Thursday at 7 p.m.
#20 SPRING-FORD 3, #13 ABINGTON 2 (25-23, 16-25, 25-13, 23-25, 15-11)
Dan Marsh called it an “epic battle,” and there’s no mistaking this was a good one as the two teams exchanged best shots.
Lila Stonehouse led the Ghosts at the net with 21 kills while Kenya Lucas added 19. Senior setter Izzy Reilly had 45 assists and also had four kills. Sara Boykin added five kills, and Emilee Zuccato had two. Iris Winegard added an assist.
“I’m sad for our seniors,” Marsh said. “They worked so hard to make Abington a legit program, and they succeeded. And they got this old basketball coach to love volleyball. I’ll miss them.”
Abington closed out its season with a 14-7 record overall. The Ghosts were 10-2 in the SOL American.
#9 SUN VALLEY 3, #24 SOUDERTON 1 (25-17, 18-25, 25-16, 25-13)
The Indians won the opening set only to watch the Vanguards win the next three.
Alli Sauerwald had a strong all-around match, contributing a team high 10 kills and seven aces to go along with eight digs. Setter Nikki Hamilton had 28 assists and nine digs. Alyssa Reiner added nine kills, seven digs and two aces, and Teya McConaha had six kills, two blocks and four digs. Alexa Mazzeo led the Indians’ defense, finishing with 29 digs to go along with two aces.
Souderton closed out its season with a 12-9 record (7-5 SOL).
#23 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3, #10 PERKIOMEN VALLEY 0
The Patriots pulled the upset of Tuesday’s opening round, earning a sweep of the Vikings on Perk Valley’s home court. Coach Jackie Curci is hoping a rough stretch is behind her team.
"We've been battling injuries/illnesses over the season with at one point five starters out, and the team has done a great job of rising to the occasion to the best of their abilities," the Patriots' coach said. "With the constant changes, team chemistry has been a challenge and we've lost some tough matches contributing to our ranking. Now we're at a point with only two starters out and the team is starting to really gel."
Curci pointed to the team's come-from behind win over Souderton as a turning point.
"Since coming back from two sets down to Souderton and having to win out and win against wood to make playoffs, the girls have really stepped up and used that momentum to work on closing matches," Curci said. "I ask them to 'play hard and have fun,' and they're doing that and it's great to see them pull together.
"A defining factor has been our aggressive serving to help keep teams from running their best offense - although a growing pain at first, last night the girls delivered 12 aces. With people being in and out and changing lineups, serve receive has been a focus as well and the girls rose above their goal for that to run our offense.
"We talked about the last time we played Perk Valley at their tournament, they ran a great quick offense. The middles really committed to defending the net in getting a combined 15 blocks. What we didn't block, the girls did a great job of cleaning up the back row with a total of 45 digs. It was great to see everyone work together and they didn't hold back against a tough team. I'm excited to see what they can do in this extended season, and we're grateful to continue on and have this opportunity."
Setter Katie Monaghan dished out 16 assists and also had 12 digs, two kills and three aces. Outside hitters Mia Mettille (eight kills, three aces, two blocks, four digs), Megan Colbert (two aces, two kills, three digs) and Steph Bahner (one kill, one block, one dig) combined for 11 kills. The Patriots’ middles – Maddy Ware (11 kills, eight blocks) and Samantha Sharp (seven blocks, two digs, three kills) – had stellar nights at the net. Rightside hitters Kat Montabana (three kills, three aces, five digs) and Regina Mathur (two kills) also contributed. Leading the defense was Chloe Mettille with 17 digs to go along with one kill. Defensive specialist Lexi Knorr had one ace and one dig.
Central Bucks East will travel to #7 Hatboro-Horsham for a second round game on Thursday.
#15 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3, #18 HAVERFORD 1
Edan Kauer’s 17 kills in a big night at the net led the Golden Hawks to Tuesday’s opening round win. Kauer also added six digs and three aces, but she was hardly a one-woman show.
Nala Kauer was also a force at the net with eight kills, three aces and six digs, and Avery Vaughan added seven kills, one block and one ace. Shani Sun contributed five kills, four digs and one ace while Gracie DeSaro and Sophia Ranieri delivered good blocking. Lindsey Korn led the defense. Lili Lauch (19 assists, one ace) and Gina Caraccio (18 assists) shared the setting duties.
Council Rock South will be on the road at #2 Unionville for Thursday’s second round match.
#21 UPPER MERION 3, #12 NORTH PENN 2
#19 CONESTOGA 3, #17 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
#11 WEST CHESTER EAST 3, #22 WILLIAM TENNENT 0
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