Twelve SOL teams will begin play in the District One Tournament on Tuesday. Pennridge and Pennsbury, winners of the 2010 and 2009 district crowns respectively, earned the top seeds.
The road to the 2012 District One Tournament title is filled with challenges, and at least one coach believes this could be the toughest district field in quite some time.
“I think this is the strongest team I’ve had, and I think it’s the strongest the district has been in a long time,” said Pennridge coach Dave Childs.
If Childs’ squad, the tournament’s top-seeded team, defeats Cheltenham in Tuesday’s opening round, the top-seeded Rams will face the winner of the eight-nine game pitting North Penn and William Tennent.
“That’s tough,” Childs said. “That’s a tough matchup right there.”
Tough matchups abound in a district tournament that features 12 SOL teams. Second-seeded Pennsbury – two years removed from winning a district crown – is one of several legitimate contenders for a district title after last year’s second round exit.
“We are one year older with more playing experience,” coach Justin Fee said. “We are an extremely smart group of players that really take every little detail in.
“We just needed the playing time and reps to get more consistent.”
All of the Falcons’ starters – with the exception of sophomore setter Jeff Yasalinas - saw significant playing time last season. Yasalonis has been a key addition to the lineup.
The Rams, meanwhile, lost four all-league players from last year’s district runner-up squad, but the cupboard was hardly bare.
“There just a lot of talent, and they worked hard in the offseason and got really good,” Childs said. “We had to replace some really key parts. It’s the same every year. They just work hard at it.
“I try and make it fun, so they enjoy playing and getting better. I think a key is them enjoying the game, and they want to play. They want to play in the offseason and get better.”
The Rams returned all-state senior middle hitter Erik Moyer, but they are anything but one-dimensional and spread the ball out among a long list of capable hitters that includes Kalin Nelson and Derek Rush.
“That’s by design,” Childs said. “The more weapons you have, the better. We try to develop multiple options.
“Everyone knows Erik (Moyer) right away. He’s our number one, I would say, but if you try and take him away, hopefully our other four guys will put the ball away, and they have been this year at a really high percentage.
“I like when I can rotate guys through. We do have good bench players, not as many as we have had in years past, but the guys I put in go in and execute.”
The Falcons, who also like to spread the ball around, have an emerging star in junior opposite hitter Pat Merrick, who leads the team in kills with 175. Last year, Merrick earned all-league honors at setter for the Falcons.
Middle hitter Dalton Zimmerman – the lone senior on the Falcons’ roster – has been a force at the net.
“He is consistently up and available to be set even off of marginal passes,” Fee said. “That has helped him become a big part of what we do offensively.”
Junior outside hitters Sean Kropp and Chris Spano have been consistent contributors with Kropp second on the team in kills (138) and digs (97). Spano has 116 kills.
Junior libero Troy Pereira has 134 digs so far this season.
“He has been a leader when it comes to taking control of passing everything in serve receive,” Fee said. “He also has become a great defender.”
Rounding out the top four is third-seeded Souderton.
#16 Cheltenham at #1 Penndridge
Pennridge
- 16-0
- SOL Continental Conference champion
- Ranked sixth in the latest PVCA State rankings
- Defending district runner-up
- Won 12 of 16 matches in three games
- Extended to five games just once this season – by Central Bucks East
Top players: Erik Moyer (middle hitter), Kalin Nelson (outside hitter), Derek Rush (outside hitter), Christian Lizana (libero), Austin McVaugh (setter)
Coach Dave Childs says: “Our goal is to win a district title and advance to the state playoffs. This year our district is strong, and we will have tough competition throughout the playoffs.
Cheltenham
- 2-14 SOL
- 2-17 overall
- Panthers two wins were over Central Bucks South (both by 3-1 scores)
Players to watch: Brett Mayne (sophomore, outside hitter), Ben Doyle (sophomore, middle blocker), Brandon Smith (junior, middle blocker)
Coach Chris Manser says: "We are excited and honored to be included in the playoff field this year. This is only the second time in the history of our program that Cheltenham has made the playoff field and the first time since 2001. The players are excited, and it will be a positive experience for our student-athletes as we try to continue to build our program.
#15 Avon Grove at #2 Pennsbury
Pennsbury
- 11-1 SOL
- 13-1 overall
- SOL National Conference champions
- Ranked 10th in the last PVCA Class AAA State Rankings
- Defeated Northeastern squad that is ranked fifth in PVCA Class AA State rankings 3-0
- Only loss came at the hands of Council Rock North on April 10 (3-1)
Players to watch: Pat Merrick (opposite hitter), Dalton Zimmerman (middle hitter), Sean Kropp (outside hitter), Chris Spano (outside hitter), Troy Pereira (libero)
Coach Justin Fee says: “We need to play with confidence and stay consistent. We have a lot of capable offensive weapons. We just need to make sure we have at least three of five playing solid each night. We also need to continue to pass well so we can have all of our options on offense as well as continue to be a strong defensive team that can score points off of our defense. When you can run your offense and put the ball away after you dig your opponent, it is a major advantage.”
#14 Haverford at #3 Souderton
Souderton
- 13-3 SOL
- 14-4 overall
- Finished second to Pennridge in Continental Conference
- Lost twice to Pennridge and also fell to Emmaus
- Closed season with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Central Bucks West in a battle for third place.
- Defeated fifth-seeded Christopher Dock in non-league match
#13 Abington at #4 Council Rock North
Council Rock North
- 10-2 SOL
- Finished second to Pennsbury in National Conference
- Handed Pennsbury its only defeat of the season (3-1)
- Two losses came at the hands of Williams Tennent (3-2) and the other to Pennsbury (3-2)
- Captured the title of the Christopher Dock Invitational Tournament
Abington
- 3-9 SOL
- 5-9 overall
- Earned non-league wins over Cheltenham and Council Rock South
- Swept by Council Rock North in the regular season
Players to watch: Tim Lane (senior, outside hitter, only returning varsity player from last year, experienced and talented hitter according to coach Jea Lee), Matt West (senior, setter, first-year varsity player, “He holds the team together and shows great leadership,” coach Jea Lee said.), JP Hagerty (senior, middle blocker, first-year varsity player, leads team in blocks)
Coach Jea Lee says: “This is the second consecutive playoff appearance in the school’s history. Making it to the playoffs means a lot to the players and to Abington High School. It also shows District One that we are committed to strengthening our volleyball program. We will have to play disciplined and almost flawless defense against a high-powered hitting CR North. Our blockers have to be patient against their talented all-around setter.”
#12 Quakertown at #5 Christopher Dock
Quakertown
- 6-10 SOL
- Finished sixth in Continental Conference
- Swept season series with Cheltenham, Central Bucks South & Upper Dublin
Players to watch: Ryan Mease (outside hitter) According to coach Andy Snyder, “Look for one or more of our other players to step up their game to help out if we are to win.”
Coach Andy Snyder says: “We’ve been ‘as advertised’ all season, no upsets for or against us. Now that we have reached the playoffs, we’re looking to bring our whole game together. As the underdog, there is no pressure on us to win, and no one outside the team is expecting us to win. That just may be what we need to pull off a first round upset and move on.”
#11 Unionville at #6 Central Bucks West
Central Bucks West
- 12-4 SOL
- Finished third behind Pennridge and Souderton in the Continental Conference standings
- Swept season series with ninth-seeded North Penn and 10th-seeded Central Bucks East
Players to watch: Mike Fehrs (junior, outside hitter), Christian Rupert (sophomore, middle hitter), Matt Hennigan (sophomore, setter)
Coach Todd Miller says: “One of the goals the boys set at the beginning of the year was to qualify for states. To achieve this goal, we have to beat Unionville at home and Souderton on their court.”
#9 William Tennent at #8 North Penn
North Penn
- 9-6 SOL
- Finished third in the Continental Conference standings
- Earned a 3-2 win over fourth-seeded Souderton on April 16
- Lost all-league setter/opposite Matt Elias to an injury for a major part of the season
Players to watch: Scott Dickenson (senior, middle blocker), Matt Elias (senior, opposite/setter), Andy Willits (junior, outside hitter)
Coach Tim Moyer says: “No expectations are set, but I expect them to play hard and continue to improve. I’m hoping the court will mean a lot to our seniors and inspire our youth to step up.”
William Tennent
- 7-5 SOL
- 8-5 overall
- Finished fourth in the SOL National Conference
- Defeated fourth-seeded Council Rock North 3-2
Players to watch: Nick Gross (outside hitter, junior), Kenny Rauchut (outside hitter, senior), Justin Keeny (libero, senior, led team in digs), Mike Excell (setter, senior, “Mike has done a great job distributing the ball throughout the season,” coach Jim Creighton says.)
Coach Jim Creighton says: “After an up and down season, we are excited to get back into playoff mode. Our first round game with North Penn should be a great match, and the winner will most likely have to go through Pennridge to reach the final four. This year’s District One Tournament is very deep, so the second round games are going to be incredible. Every year our goal is to make it to the district’s Final Four, thus qualifying for states, so we are going to have to play our best volleyball of the season this week.”
#10 Central Bucks East at #7 Neshaminy
Neshaminy
- 8-4 SOL
- Finished third in National Conference standings
- Swept season series with ninth-seeded William Tennent
- Extended second-seeded Pennsbury to five games
Central Bucks East
- 9-7 SOL
- 10-7 overall
- Only team to extend top-seeded to Pennridge to five games
- Earned 3-0 win over eighth-seeded North Penn
Players to watch: Mike Donovan, right side (“Michael is anchoring our defense and is perhaps the best defensive player in the league,” coach Rob Minschwaner. “Some of his digs are amazing.”), Kyle Dolf (“We were forced to use Kyle as a hitter this season due to injuries,” Minschwaner said. “He has been outstanding. He has an outstanding hitting percentage of .289 while still leading the team in assists.”), Nick Bennett (Nick has once again proven to be one of the finest middle hitters in the league this year,” Minschwaner said. “He has teamed with Dolf to be a consistent dominating force.”), Anthony Cupo (“Anthony is on track to start Tuesday for the first time all season after breaking his hand in the preseason Easton Tournament,” Minschwaner said. “Anthony is outstanding defensively and on offense and always provides our team with a spark.”), Jack Perrotta, outside hitter (“Jack has been outstanding in Cupo’s absence, providing out team with a very good outside threat all year long,” Minschwaner said. “He will continue to start for us.”), Trevor Clemens (“Trevor has been very good as our second setter, which has given our team the flexibility to run a 6-2 with Dolf,” Minschwaner said.), Colby Tallia, libero (“Colby has improved each match and has turned into an outstanding passes,” Minschwaner said of his freshman libero.), Nick DeSalvo (“Nick filled in nicely in Cupo’s absence, and he has been a big part of our team’s success this year,” Minschwaner said.)
Coach Robert Minschwaner says: “We are approaching districts the same way we approach every match. We will try and have a businesslike approach to each match and just give the kids their game plan and let them play. These kids are fighters and tend to rise to challenges and never give up in any match. I expect they will give maximum effort whether we get down by 20 points or are winning by 20 points. They go all-out all the time. They just love to play.”
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