Pennridge, Upper Dublin held court
Pennridge rose to its highest level in the District 1-3A Final, its overall teamwork and execution powering the charge to a 3-0 victory over Upper Dublin.
“Teams are so worried about Ryan (Benscoter) that they forget we have other guys that can play,” Rams coach Dave Childs said. “We don’t get to this point without every single guy on our roster. I think we came out sharp from the beginning. We executed. The moment wasn’t too big for us. We just kind of played our consistent game and executed.”
Not surprisingly, three members of that impressive Pennridge squad landed spots on this year’s All-Area Team for boys volleyball.
Middle hitter Tyler Johnson, setter Riley Kodidek and Athlete of the Year, outside hitter Ryan Benscoter all had outstanding seasons for the Rams, assuring Pennridge reached the district’s final four for the 12th consecutive time. They would go on to make it all the way to the state quarterfinals.
All three played a pivotal role in the Rams’ district-championship win over the Cardinals.
Johnson had three kills and four blocks, Kodidek dished out 30 assists along with two aces and nine digs, and Benscoter had 25 kills and two aces.
Everything came together.
“This is maybe my most improved team that I’ve coached,” Childs said of the group. “It’s always our goal, to make the final four and give ourselves a shot to be in this game. If you’re playing well at the end of the season, that’s what it’s all about.”
The team that Pennridge topped for the title had a tremendous season in its own right.
Outside hitters Trevor Molloy and David Levin, and middle hitter Colin Dowdell helped lead Upper Dublin to the district final and state playoffs.
One of the Cardinals’ finest moments came in a 3-2 win over the rival Rams both teams were unbeaten in the Suburban One League American Conference to that point.
“Every single huddle we went into, we told each other to keep their head up,” Levin said after the win. “If you miss a serve, get the next one. If you miss a hit, get the next one. Everybody just kept each other’s head up.”
The Cardinals connected on a lot of things in 2021, and had a season to remember.
Two outstanding liberos roamed area courts this spring, as Abington’s Sean Dougherty and Drew Hauben of Central Bucks West led their respective squads. Opposite hitter Aiden Wunderly pointed Souderton to the district playoffs.
And Jacob Shreiner was a tremendous outside hitter for Dock, his team-high 12 kills against Tunkhannock helping to lead the way to a district semifinal victory. The Pioneers would earn a PIAA-2A state playoff berth.