Upper Perk upends Phantoms
PHOENIXVILLE>> Two up-and-coming girls volleyball teams in the Pioneer Athletic Conference squared off Monday night, and both Phoenixville and Owen J. Roberts continue to show rapid growth, maturity and development.
Owen J. Roberts jumped out to a 1-0 victory following a 25-21 victory in game one, but the host Phantoms recovered well. They rebounded with 25-15 and 25-14 victories in games two and three and punctuated the 3-1 victory with a 25-12 decision in Game 4.
It marked the second straight circuit victory for the upstart Phantoms, who beat new league entry Norristown Thursday. Phoenixville is right back in action today against Spring-Ford in Royersford.
Phoenixville celebrated Senior Night for four players in Tessa Lochetto, Emilie Ritter, Sophie Bell and Brooke Chiappetta. Visiting Owen J. Roberts seniors Alyssa Gardiner and Caitlin Mullins were also honored prior to the contest.
“We had a lot of girls graduate that played club,” said Lochetto. “Together this year, we brought it back.”
“We brought it back stronger than ever,” said Ritter. “It is pretty cool to win on Senior Night.”
Lochetto played a monster game at a perfect time as she prepares to say farewell to the Phoenixville program. She totaled 26 digs to increase her career marks for digs and receptions farther past the 500 marks in just two years of varsity action.
“That’s fantastic,” raved Phantom coach Seth McNaughton. “She only had three reception errors all night. It was the best game she ever played. She is one of our leaders, and everyone feeds off of her.”
Romina Broglia, Maple Maloney and Alex Poloway each wound up with 11 digs. Kayla Grammer-storf had another huge game in the middle for Phoenixville with seven blocks, four kills and seven aces. Broiler registered 12 kills. Setter Keara Hennessey provided pinpoint hits for the hosts.
“Keara played a fantastic game as our setter,” said McNaughton. “She has been fantastic. She played CYO, came in and adjusted. Owen J. did a really nice job on defense blocking with a wall, but she set around it.”
“We got punched in the mouth in the first game so I didn’t know what was going to happen,” said McNaughton. “This is only their
second season. Ryan has done a good job working with them. We play them again in a couple weeks up there.”
Both squads are in their infancy in terms of years of varsity existence with two for OJR and four for Phoenixville. On top of that, both sides have mostly younger players as well.
Owen J. Roberts coach Ryan Brewer is in his first season with the varsity after spending last year with the junior varsity.
“It has been a pretty easy transition since I knew the girls,” said Brewer. “This is definitely one of our more competitive matches.”
Owen J. Roberts got five kills, one block and three digs from sophomore Mikayla Johnson. Sophomore Michelle Frank had five kills, two aces and five digs. Sophomore Catherine Cervi had three kills and three blocks. Freshman Chloe Golas had four assists, two kills and one dig.