Pennridge handed 1st loss by Bishop Shanahan in District 1-AAA semis
ABINGTON — Ask Megan Keefe as a freshman or a sophomore if she would have been OK playing the third place game in the District 1-AAA tournament and she would have said absolutely. A spot in states secured and at least a top for finish in the district for the Pennridge girls volleyball team was far from a reality a few years ago.
But as a senior, with this team, a 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-13) sweep at the hands of Bishop Shanahan in the semifinals was just not what Keefe could smile about. It was Keefe and the Rams’ first loss of the season, a match shy of the title game, two wins shy of the program’s first district championship in almost 40 years.
“We did not come out strong and it was not a good start overall,’ Keefe said. “We never expected to make it this far and we are happy we did. Tonight was not our best effort and it’s disappointing we lost.’
The Rams (18-1) rolled into the playoffs without a blemish on their record, but the Eagles’ 17-4 mark was not too shabby and the fifth-seeded side brought playoff experience — finishing third last year in in districts — to the Abington court Thursday. The Rams have rallied back from slow starts all season, but a 12-1 run in Game One set the tone for the night.
“Game One they wanted more than we did,’ Rams coach Zech States said. “They are experienced and we are not used to this at all. That’s what it came down to. That played a factor, but it’s not excuse.’
The Rams play Garnet Valley — which lost 3-1 to Upper Merion in the other semi — for third place noon Saturday back at Abington. They will try and rally back for a strong and long run in the PIAA tournament. Upper Merion, defending district champs, will do battle with the Eagles at 2 p.m. after the Rams and Jaguars jostle.
“It is good to have states to look forward to,’ States said. “We have one day here to practice and we have to use it. Garnet Valley is going to want it and we have to come ready to battle.’
The Rams will need to find the offense that disappeared against the Eagles. Their swings seemed telegraphed and Shanahan made the consistent back row pass to their setter, who found any number of their powerful hitters. It was 4-0 and 9-2 Eagles in Game Two, which completely zapped the Rams’ confidence. The Eagles were an opponent they could not solve for the first time all season.
“We did not play nearly close to what we are capable of,’ States said. “They put a big block up. We could not get our middles going (four total kills) at all tonight, It’s hard because I know what they are capable of. and I was not able to get them motivated to play the way they should.
Keefe, Pennridge’s four-year starter at setter, won 17 games (23 losses) in her first three seasons with the Rams — three as freshman, four as sophomore, and 10 as a junior. The Rams continued to get better and nothing can take away the season they put together so far. So far being the key words. A District 1 championship would have been nice, but they will refocus and come back stronger in the state tournament next week,
“We came out with a lot of nerves,’ Keefe said. “We need to do everything a little better.’
