Plymouth Whitemarsh & CR North were winners in Tuesday’s District One Class 4A volleyball tournament.
Two SOL teams advanced to the final four of the District One Class 4A Tournament and also earned coveted berths in the PIAA Tournament. Second-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh and sixth-seeded Council Rock North will meet in a semifinal showdown on Thursday at PW with the winner earning a spot in Saturday’s district title game at Upper Dublin.
Hatboro-Horsham, which fell to top-seeded Bishop Shanahan, will face fifth-seeded Avon Grove on Thursday in a battle for the fifth and final state berth. The Hatters will be on the road for the playback contest.
#2 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3, #10 UPPER MERION 2 (24-26, 25-19, 17-25, 25-18, 15-9)
The Colonials found themselves staring across the net at a familiar foe – former SOL American Conference rival Upper Merion. PW had absorbed its share of losses at the hands of the Vikings and twice was swept by Upper Merion last season.
It looked as though the Vikings – despite their 10 seed – might find a way to win yet again after they opened up a 2-1 lead, but the Colonials rallied to win the next two sets to earn a spot in the district semifinal.
Leading a balanced attack at the net were Lily Acquaviva (11 kills), Danielle Rippert (10 kills) and Corrine Kalala (eight kills). Rippert also had a team-high 28 digs. Libero Olivia Carbo had 23 digs, 10 assists and four aces, and setter Bridget McTamney had 15 digs and 15 assists.
#6 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3, #3 GARNET VALLEY 0 (26-24, 25-15, 25-18)
The Indians pulled off the upset of the night, sending the third-seeded Jaguars into playbacks for the final bid for states. Making it even more impressive is the fact that they did it on the Jaguars’ home court.
“Garnet Valley was a fantastic team, and we had to play great volleyball to beat them,” coach Mike Adams said. “We played awesome team volleyball.”
Senior outside hitter Morgan Collito led the way with seven kills, 11 digs, three aces and one block, and senior outside hitter Birdie Ligos added four kills, two aces and six digs. Junior opposite Kaelin Mealey had six kills, and sophomore opposite Dana Bandurick had five kills, three blocks and two digs. Junior Maddy Moore had 11 digs while senior middle Hadley Grundman had three kills, two blocks and one dig. Setters Johanna Batterton (16 assists, four aces, four digs) and Sarah Caola (10 assists, one ace, two digs) orchestrated the Indians’ offense.
#1 BISHOP SHANAHAN 3, #8 HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-19)
Bishop Shanahan ended Hatboro-Horsham's district run on Tuesday night with a three-set sweep.
“Bishop Shanahan truly embodies one of the most successful combinations of a dominating offense with a scrappy and controlled defense, as well as solid serve receive game,” coach Jon Young said. “Hatboro-Horsham was able to get some leverage in sets one and three but not enough to outscore Bishop Shanahan.”
Junior outside hitter Katerina Yankanich led the offense with 11 kills, one ace, one block and 11 digs. Senior Outside Hitter Holly Owen added 9 kills, one ace, and six digs. Freshman Middle Hitter MaryKate Scully added two kills and three blocks. Senior Libero Allison Laucella had 12 digs on the night. Junior DS's Maddie Kallmeyer and Megan Barrella both added two aces a piece to the mix. Sophomore setter Rachel Dittus ran the offense with 22 assists and added five digs.
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