GV clinches states berth, makes district volleyball semis

With a states berth in sight, Garnet Valley wasted no time Saturday.

Ally Hartney led the way with

14 kills as the third-seeded Jags cliched a state birth by sweeping past No. 6 Plymouth Whitemarsh,

3-0, in the District 1 Class 4A quarterfinal round.

Garnet Valley advances to the semifinals to take on No. 2 Upper Merion Tuesday night. It also returns to the state tournament, which it won in 2016.

Hartney led the attack with a .684 hitting percentage. She added five blocks, three aces and two digs. Sam Mann fortified the net with three blocks and 11 kills. Emma Rokosky had her biggest impact on defense with 18 kills to go with six kills and a pair of aces. And Rachel Cain handed out 35 assists to augment eight digs and three aces for the Jags.

Hockey

It might have been the seasonopener, but the offenses were in midseason form for Strath Haven and West Chester Rustin Friday night.

A five-goal second-period explosion led the Panthers to an 8-7 crossover win, led by freshman Josh Peabody’s hat trick in his varsity debut. Peabody scored all three of his goals in the second period to go with an assist.

Mike Irey scored twice and dished there assists, Ryan Spanier paired a goal with two helpers and Blayden Reid handed out two assists. Colorado Cooper’s goal at 2:52 of the third period proved to be the game-winner.

RIDLEY 8, GARNET VALLEY 0 >> John Zebley scored twice in the first period, then Ron Higgins and Eric Miller followed with natural hat tricks as the Green Raiders rolled to victory. Higgins added a pair of assists, and Miller set up Higgins’ first goal, a shorthanded tally.

Nick Giuliano made 29 saves in the shutout for Ridley. A besieged Joshua Juliano stopped 33 shots for Garnet Valley.

CARDINAL O’HARA 6, SPRINGFIELD 0>> Ronan Plummer scored twice, and John Paul Ahearn and Zac Deemer provided a goal and an assist each as the Lions scored a decisive victory. Matt Beck and Jeremy Garvey also scored for the Lions, and Primo Baldassare pitched the shutout with 18 saves.

James Donegan made 35 saves for Springfield.

AVON GROVE 5, INTERBORO 1 >> Dylan Sangmeister scored in the second period and Hunter Chubb turned aside 42 shots in goal for the Bucs.