Neshaminy defeated Pennridge in Thursday’s District One 3A title match. Photos provided courtesy of Jon Sklut. Check back for a gallery of photos. All SOS photo galleries for BOYS' VOLLEYBALL can be viewed by clicking HERE.
District One 3A final
#1 NESHAMINY 3, #2 PENNRIDGE 1 (25-20, 25-20, 24-26, 25-17)
Ben Clendening rose high above the net for a powerful kill that not only put an exclamation point on the win for match point but also set off a jubilant celebration for a Redskin squad that had its sights set high.
The win was the 21st of a perfect season, and this one – that clinched the District One 3A title – was the sweetest of them all.
“The goal 100 percent was to go undefeated and win districts, that was definitely a goal of ours,” Clendening said. “This means everything. We’ve been putting in the work and effort the past four
years. I know we have six seniors this year, and all of us since freshmen year - we dreamed of this year. We’ve been having this goal for a long time. To have it come true is amazing.”
The district crown was the first for the program since 1997.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Neshaminy coach Pat Klingerman said. “We knew this was a possibility - this was one of our goals going into the season.
“From all the summer open gyms to all the AAU tournaments we have in the fall and the winter, this was one of our goals. This is another checked box as we move into states. We’re lucky enough to now host in the first round Tuesday, which makes things even better. I’m super proud of these guys and all the effort and time they put in, not only on the court but in the weight room and classroom as well.”
The first two sets followed a similar pattern. The Rams and Indians took turns taking one or two-point leads early on only to watch Redskins pull away. In the first set, they turned a 13-13 tie into a 16-13 advantage on their way to the 25-20 win that was capped with a Ben Clendening block for set point.
The second set was remarkably similar. The two teams were deadlocked 11-11, but the Redskins pulled away, opening up a 16-12 lead on their way to the 25-20 win. Josh Clendening slammed down a kill for set point, and the ‘Skins had a 2-0 lead.
The Rams didn’t go down without a battle. It was a 12-11 game in the third set after a Redskin service miscue, and the Rams battled their way to a 26-24 win.
Neshaminy setter Josh Adler never lost his faith in his teammates.
“I think we knew we’d be fine,” he said. “It’s happened before, and then we play well in the fourth set.”
That’s exactly what happened. Again, the Rams hung tough, but the Redskins had too many weapons, turning a 5-5 tie into a 14-8 lead after a huge block by Ben Clendening, who had three momentum-changing blocks in that Redskins surge.
“I think we all played good,” Clendening said. “I think that stretch was the most important stretch. I felt in the zone – I could read the setter better, and the ball was just landing in my block, and it started falling. Just like that, our momentum shifted, and we ended up going up in the game.”
The Rams never really threatened the rest of the way, and the long-awaited win – and district crown – was in the books.
“I think the key was honestly everyone playing together, everyone started clicking,” Ben Clendening said. “Throughout the year, we’d always be having problems – one person would be off one game, one person would be off another, but I think in these playoffs, we’ve started to actually jell as a team. Everyone is going.”
Josh Clendening led a balanced Redskins attack with 16 kills to go along with three aces and one dig. Ben Clendening added 12 kills, four blocks and one dig while Dan Berzin had nine kills, one ace, one dig and one block. Kieran Edwards contributed seven kills and one block.
Libero Michael Sooby had five digs and two assists while Josh Hamilton added one ace, three digs, eight digs and two blocks.
Adler finished a strong outing with 44 assists to go along with two kills, four digs and two blocks.
“(I) just try to spread the ball around,” Adler said. “Everyone is great. We have a team with five crazy good hitters, so no matter who I set, they get the kill.
“Today it was just playing how we play – we practiced all year. This feels great.”
For the Rams, setter Riley Kodidek had 30 assists and five blocks. Senior middle Nick Smith led the way at the net, finishing with 13 kills and three blocks. Tyler Johnson had 11 kills and two blocks. Also contributing were Thomas McKinney (4 kills, 7 digs), Jude Rotondo (3 kills), Bryce Ammon (2 aces), Alex Derk (5 digs) and Ty Porter (5 digs).
The fact that his team faced Pennridge in the title game did not come as a surprise to Klingerman.
“Dave does a great job at Pennridge,” the Redskins’ coach said. “That’s why they’re always here. They’re not an easy team to beat as we saw in the third set. The first two sets were close – they battled. We had set point in the third set, they came out and beat us in the third set.
“We really came out in that fourth set with determination and grit and just took it. We knew Pennridge was going to be there. They’re a great program, they’re going to go far again. We’re just happy for our seniors and the whole team for putting it together.”
The Redskins’ coach went on to express gratitude for the contributions of many along the way.
"I want to thank my entire coaching staff, especially Rob Reifsteck, for putting up with me and turning this program into what it is today,” Klingerman said. “A lot of thanks go out to our wonderful athletic department at Neshaminy High School and our administrators.
“Thank you to all of the parents who made sure that each student-athlete was on time for every open gym, AAU tournament, and so much more. This win is not only for this group of players, but also all of the players before them that helped build this program to what it is today. Now we turn our attention to the state playoffs and making a deep run for the state title.”
Childs, meanwhile, never doubted his team could make a return trip to the finals after winning the title last year.
“We had a good group returning that had playoff experience,” the Rams’ coach said. “We have one of the best setters in PA (Riley Kodidek). Our middles dominated this year, and they did again tonight. They were our offense tonight. We knew we had the pieces to get here. It’s just whether it comes together or not.”
Childs tipped his hat to the Redskins.
“They controlled the ball better, they were in system more,” he said. “They have hitters everywhere, so we had to respect everyone. When they’re in system, they’re good.
“We have played a lot of the best teams in the state, and they’re legit. They can play, they have size, and if they control the ball like that, they’re a tough team.”
Neshaminy (21-0, 14-0 SOL) will host District 12’s second place team in Tuesday’s open round of the PIAA 6A playoffs. Pennridge (17-2, 13-1) will also be in action in the opening round of states Tuesday against the District 12 champion.
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