Check out the recaps for SOL girls’ volleyball teams in action Friday.
PENNSBURY 3, GERMANTOWN ACADEMY 2
(Submitted by Pennsbury girls’ volleyball)
After not knowing anything about the PAISSA teams but hearing Germantown Academy was a solid team returning most of its starters, I watched their championship win against Notre Dame. They were everything the volleyball community said: tough servers, solid passing, sound blocking, and loaded with hitters, especially #20, Caroline Smith. Every adjustment we made to shut her down - she kept finding ways. Fortunately for us, we were a similar team that kept fighting back and forth with another very good team. A challenge we wanted and needed to start our run for the state tournament.
Set 1 Germantown Academy came out with a lot of energy and capitalized on our errors. What changed after that? Coach Knapp and I had a conversation, and we realized some of the offensive attacks we use were not working. GA was keeping us out of rhythm, so we decided to mix some attacks up. We ran Madara Bungs, our sophomore pin, inside for a 2-ball right next to our junior middle Rylie Mitchell's 1-ball. GA's middle froze for that half a second and gave Madara the window to get the kill. After that kill, we soared to a 2-1 lead. Like great teams do, GA did not go away quietly. Actually, the complete opposite. They came out to remind everyone why they were PAISSA Champions and tied the match up at 2 a piece. At one moment in that fourth set, the score was 22-8. As a team, it was that moment we needed. Adversity. The moments we train for and look forward to.
In my opinion, fifth sets are the greatest part of high school volleyball. As a team, you want to face the toughest opponents. The fifth set really pulls the team's DNA out. Will they waver at the moment and fold, or will they stand stern and flourish? Using a balanced attack, tough serving, and great defense, this team finished the match with a huge win 3-2.
Leading the attack with 15 kills, a 0.500 hitting percentage, and six aces was sophomore pin hitter Madara Bungs. Accompanying her with 10 kills and 11 kills (0.300 hitting percentage each) were senior pin hitters Annika Foundos and Brigitte Burns. Senior Setter Nyla Hamburg had 19 assists, five kills, seven aces, and 10 digs. Junior Middle Rylie Mitchell tossed in three kills. Senior setter Annalise Dignan had 22 assists. Sophomore libero Brooke Sweitzer had eight digs.
Pennsbury will host North Penn on Monday.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3, FAITH CHRISTIAN 0 (25-21, 25-10, 25-13)
PW started off the season with a strong performance, sweeping the PIAA D1 A 2023 Champions. Junior Marissa Storti led the team with four aces and four kills. Senior Amanda Busk had a nice match with six kills and four block assists. Junior Giuliana Storti led the defense with 15 digs. And the team enjoyed the sophomore duo off Ryleigh Gunn and Eliza Meersman where Ryleigh had four kills and five blocks and Eliza had three kills and four blocks. Finally, sophomore Brooke Peduzzi led the setters with eight assists.
PW (1-0) will play Council Rock North next Tuesday in another non-conference match.
SOUDERTON 3, CHELTENHAM 0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-15)
The Indians opened their season with a sweep of the Lady Panthers.
Lily Self led the Indians at the net with 11 kills, two aces, three digs and one block. Setter Stella Powers contributed 18 assists, four aces, one kill and five digs. Zoe Folk led the Indians’ service game with six aces to go along with six digs and two assists. Lauren Vince had three kills and six digs, and Emma Conklin had two blocks and three kills.
Souderton (1-0) will travel to Pottsgrove for a non-league match Tuesday.
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