Southern Lehigh, Parkland look to carry momentum deeper into playoffs
As expected, two of the most successful teams in the area claimed conference and league volleyball titles this past week and will look to carry that momentum into the district playoffs and perhaps beyond.
In Wednesday’s Colonial League title tilt, Southern Lehigh met a familiar foe in Notre Dame-Green Pond.
The Spartans defeated the Crusaders twice this season — once 3-2 and the other 3-1. This time around, Southern did not allow its opponent into the match, which resulted in a 3-0 sweep of the Crusaders, 25-10, 25-12, 25-19.
On Thursday, Parkland completed a dominant run through the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. The Trojans did not drop a set in the tournament, which culminated in a championship win over Emmaus, 25-22, 25-15, 25-12.
Southern Lehigh (13-1) notched its fifth-straight Colonial League title, while Parkland (16-0) won its second straight EPC crown.
Colonial League recap
The Spartans spread the ball out on offense, as five different hitters tallied at least five kills in a quick three-setter.
Southern’s top hitter, Alyssa Adams, led Spartan hitters with 13 kills. The senior also had eight digs and three blocks.
Kendall Cioffi passed the ball accordingly throughout the match and finished with 34 assists. Cioffi was also solid at the service line with six aces, and in turn, received high praise from the Spartans’ head coach Don West Jr.
“The league championship was a great showing by our team. The team did a great job of executing the game plan and getting Notre Dame out of system and thus limiting their offensive attack,” West Jr. said. “Kendall Cioffi did a superb job of timely distribution of sets while still getting the ball to our best options when we needed points.”
Mallory Hoch, Avery Tatasciore, and Alexis Hoyer all contributed to the Spartan offense with eight kills apiece, while Ta’Niya Pleasant put down five kills.
“We have had our ups and downs this year with our playing even though our record doesn’t show it,” West Jr. said. “A strong performance a few weeks ago in a State College tournament seemed to help reenergize the team in both practices and games.”
Southern Lehigh now looks ahead to the district tournament. Expect the Spartans to lean on a cast of experienced seniors who have put up big numbers this year.
Adams leads the Spartans with 266 kills and 168 digs, while Hoch (161 kills, 11 digs, 42 aces), Cioffi (452 assists, 55 aces, 112 digs), Eliza Hieter (137 digs, 21 assists, 25 aces), and Steph Rubino (111 digs) are all huge contributors.
Tatasciore (130 kills, 109 digs), a junior, has also had a nice season for the Spartans.
EPC recap
The Trojans have been incredibly impressive against top-tier competition this season.
Heading into the tournament, Parkland won 48 sets and lost just one in EPC regular-season action.
The top-seeded Trojans did not slow down in the EPC tournament as they dismantled Pocono Mountain East (quarterfinals), Liberty (semifinals), and Emmaus (finals) all by shutout.
In the finals against the Green Hornets (15-2), Parkland received strong offensive efforts from Brynn Dreisbach (9 kills), Maggie Smith (29 assists, 3 aces), Sydney Esquieres (6 kills), Elena Pursell (5
kills), and Alli Reimer (9 kills).
Defensively, Dreisbach (9 digs), Pursell (2 blocks), Scarlett Jago (16 digs), and Sydney Johnston (12 digs) led the way for the Trojans.
“The team played well. They all did a good job in their particular areas of responsibility,” Parkland coach Mike Krause said. “Emmaus played tough. We had to make some adjustments according to how they were playing. Our girls did a real good job of identifying what Emmaus was focused on with their attack. Our reads, both offensively and defensively, were almost to the point of being instinctive. We were just responding without thinking.”
Not surprisingly, Krause quickly pointed to his star player Dreisbach, as well as setter Maggie Smith, when discussing the team’s attack.
“Brynn was so versatile. She passes, defends, attacks, blocks and is just so consistent. She sets the tone for the team and is quietly dominant in every facet of the game,” Krause said. “Maggie Smith managed our attack fluidly. Her decision on distribution of the ball to all the hitters was her best effort of the season.”
With a 57-1 overall set record this season, the Trojans have shown dominance outside of EPC action as well.
Parkland won a pair of tournament titles this season, including the Parkland Invitational, where the Trojans defeated Burnt Hills, NY (ranked No. 1 in the Northeast Region by USA Today), and the Jess Finlayson Invitational at Northampton.
The Trojans currently have the No. 1 hitting percentage in the state as a team.
Individually, Pursell is ranked No. 2, Sydney Esquieres is No. 5, and Dreisbach is No. 13. Additionally, Smith leads the state with 11.2 assists per set.
District tournament
With regular season and league tournament play completed, qualifying teams shift focus to District 11 tournament action, with the quarterfinals beginning Tuesday. The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, with the finals set for Wednesday, Nov. 3.
A highly competitive 4A pool once again highlights the tournament with the top three seeds all ranked in the top 10 in the state, according to Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association.
Top-seeded Parkland is ranked No. 1 in the state, while second-seeded Freedom is ranked fifth and third-seeded Emmaus is eighth.
The four versus five matchup should be the most competitive when Liberty hosts Nazareth.
The 3A field is also a deep one. After facing stiff EPC competition all season, defending PIAA champion Bethlehem Catholic is the No. 3 seed and is currently ranked No. 9 in Pennsylvania.
Ahead of the Golden Hawks is No. 1 seed Pottsville (ranked fourth in 3A) and No. 2 Southern Lehigh (ranked No. 7 in 3A).
A potential semifinal between Becahi and Southern will make for an enticing matchup, as both teams are capable of winning the title and making a deep run in the state tournament.
In 2A, Central Catholic is the No. 2 seed, while Notre DameGreen Pond grabbed the No. 4 seed. Top-seeded Pine Grove is considered the favorite and is ranked sixth in the state in 2A.
The 1A field comprises top-seeded Marian Catholic (ranked No. 7 in the state) and second-seeded Nativity BVM. Both programs have had great success in recent years, and could make for a solid championship match.