Pennridge, North Penn aim for deep playoff runs
Junior outside hitter Ben Chinnici, an All-State selection last spring, returns for a Pennridge squad coming off a 19-1 season that took the Rams to the first round of the PIAA Class AAA Playoffs.
“We should be a strong serving team this season,” coach Dave Childs said of his squad, which ran roughshod over a tough Suburban One League Continental Conference last season, going a perfect 16-0 in the conference and ultimately capturing the District One title.
The Rams, in the process of fine-tuning their defense and blocking, have quality players to go to in seniors Jesse Smith (setter) and Aaron Nelson (middle hitter) as well as Chinnici (outside hitter) and Josiah Friesen (opposite). Pennridge is ranked fourth in the state in the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Preseason Poll.
The Rams will open up their season Tuesday at Cheltenham, which could be a much-improved squad from a year ago.
“Coming off of a rebuilding season,” third-year coach Geoff Harris said, “we are looking to improve both our record and style of play. Returning many players from last season, we’re looking forward to competing every week and making a playoff push.”
North Penn, led by a trio of seniors in Harsh Boghara, Steven Landes and Ryan Ko, should be a force in the Continental and a contender in the playoff push.
“We’re hoping,” coach Ryan Genova said, “for a return to states for the third consecutive year.”
Following is a team-by-team look at the area.
Central Bucks South
Coach: Matt Ehlers (first season)
Last Year’s Record: 6-12
Key Performers Lost: Matt Ehlers (Arcadia University); Steffan Varghesse; Steven Wosniak
Key Returners: Jack Mayhew, Sr., outside hitter; Justin Koren, Jr., outside hitter; Mark Macios, Jr., setter
Others to Watch: Tyler Grochowski, Sr., middle blocker; David Lulko, Jr., libero
Strengths: Height; blocking
Question Marks: Passing; inexperience at some spots
Coach Ehlers Says: “This is a small group for this season with a lot of new faces, so we’ll face a learning curve early on in the season. This season will be a building block for the future of the program, and I’m happy we were able to get so many ninth and 10th graders so we’ll have some time to develop. I believe that the core group has enough experience and talent for us to surprise some people this season and we’re looking forward to getting started.”
Central Bucks West
Coach: Todd Miller (sixth season)
Last Year’s Record: 11-7; fourth in the Suburban One League Continental Conference; lost in the first round of the District One Class AAA Playoffs
Key Returners: Matt Douple, Sr., setter; Ryan Alu, Jr., outside hitter; Daniel Klapper, Jr., outside/middle hitter; Will Varner, Sr., outside hitter; Sam Winderman, Sr., libero
Coach Miller Says: “We have everyone back from last year and have added a couple of players that should help us in the front row. Once again, our back row defense should be very strong.”
Cheltenham
Coach: Geoff Harris (third season)
Last Year’s Record: 1-19
Key Performers Lost: Eric Taing
Key Returners: Kenny Tea, Jr., outside hitter; Aidan Corrigan, Sr., middle hitter; Malik Farr, Sr., middle hitter; Matt Taing, So., libero
Others to Watch: Dylan Paikin, Jr., outside hitter
Strengths: Experience
Christopher Dock
Coach: Trish Hoover (first season)
Last Year’s Record: 7-9; 7-3 in the Bicentennial Athletic League
Key Performers Lost: Jordan Alderfer, libero; D.J. Swartley, middle hitter
Key Returners: Tyler Rice, Sr., outside hitter; Jesse Kolb, outside hitter; Noah Kolb, middle hitter; Dylan Derstine, Jr., setter
Others to Watch: Jaden Hunsberger, So., libero
Strengths: A multifaceted offensive attack
Question Marks: Serve receive and defense
Outlook: It was a rarity last season when the Pioneers did not win the league title. The main focus of this season is to return to the top in resounding fashion. With a strong core of returning players and the addition of some young defensive powers, the season ahead promises to be an exciting one for the Pioneers as they build a strong foundation for future years.
La Salle
Coach: Jason Eisele
Key Returners: Benjamin Beyerle, Sr.; Shawn Courtney, Sr.; Kyle DeMarlis, Sr.; William Glah, So.; Andrew Gregor, Sr.; Patrick Guinosso, Jr.; Alexander Hughes, Sr.; Eric James, Sr.; Christopher Kugler, Sr.; Matthew Marcante, Sr.; John Neumann Miller, Jr.; Owen Moran, Sr.; Nathan Radomski, Sr.; Joshua Williams, Sr.; Joseph Zarkoski, Sr.
Outlook: With a solid group of seniors, the Explorers should present a strong challenge for the Philadelphia Catholic League title.
Lansdale Catholic
Coach: Kathy Arnow (second season)
Last Year’s Record: 11-8, Philadelphia Catholic League Runner-Up
Key Performers Lost: Brendan Shovlin; Matt Plummer
Key Returners: Jack Bagnell, Sr., opposite/outside hitter; Colin Duffner, Sr., setter/libero; Matt Herron, Sr., outside hitter/defensive specialist; Tyler Grant, Sr., middle blocker/opposite; Matt Mussoline, Sr., outside hitter; J.T. Parker, Sr., libero; John Van, Sr., middle blocker; Eric Yoder, Sr. opposite/middle blocker
Others to watch: Alex Arnow, So., defensive specialist/setter/opposite; Vince Opdyke, Jr., defensive specialist; Shane Ward, Jr., middle blocker; Joe Howard, Jr., opposite
Strengths: Team chemistry and energy
Opening Match: Monday at Council Rock South
Coach Arnow Says: “The guys love to play and are all good friends so they are as excited by their own success as those of their teammates.”
North Penn
Coach: Ryan Genova (first season)
Last Year’s Record: 13-3; lost to Pennridge in District One Class AAA Final; lost to Central York in the second round of the PIAA Class AAA Tournament
Key Performers Lost: Mark Elias, setter; Jake Walters, middle hitter; Connor Sloan, two-year starter
Key Returners: Steven Landes, Sr., outside hitter/setter; Harsh Boghara, Sr., middle hitter; Ryan Ko, Sr., outside hitter/setter; Manan Patel, Jr., libero
Others to Watch: Hayden Rhodes, Jr., setter; Bobby Dean, Jr., outside hitter; Kishan Davara, Jr., middle hitter; Yoshitaka Shibata, Sr., middle hitter
Strengths: Athleticism; experience
Pennridge
Coach: Dave Childs (11th season)
Last Season: 19-1; 16-0 in the SOL Continental; District One Class AAA Champs; lost in the first round of PIAA Class AAA States to Hempfield
Key Performers Lost: Bradley Nase (All-State); Devon Rice (All-State); Henry Savage (Second Team All-District); Max McVaugh (Third Team All-District); Jon Long; Sam Handy; Brandon Greb; Brian Rosenberg
Key Returners: Jesse Smith, Sr., setter; Aaron Nelson, Sr., middle hitter; Ben Chinnici, Jr., outside hitter (All State); Josiah Friesen, Jr., opposite
Others to Watch: Ryan Spangler, Sr., outside hitter; Caleb Pennell, Sr., defense; Austin Rush, Sr., defense; Jeremy Baum, Sr., defense; Cross Edwards, So., outside hitter; Kevin Jones, So., middle hitter
Opening Match: Tuesday at Cheltenham
Souderton
Coach: David Stastny (second season)
Last Year’s Record: 3-15; 2-14 in the SOL Continental
Key Performers Lost: None
Key Returners: Jack Pagan, Sr., setter; Sam Hess, Sr., outside hitter
Strengths: Senior leadership
Coach Stastny Says: “We are looking for a winning attitude. We want to be competitive in all matches this year, and a goal would be to be eligible to play in districts.”
William Tennent
Coach: Jim Creighton (10th season)
Last Year’s Record: 14-4; 11-1 in the SOL National
Key Performers Lost: Logan Sklut, libero; Kyle Lewicki, setter; Tom Del Conte, middle
Key Returners: Will Towle, Sr., outside hitter; Jake Milnazik, Sr., outside hitter; Brendan Carter, Jr., opposite; Noah Chast, Sr., libero
Others to Watch: Hunter Reid, Sr., setter; Dennis Rodkey, Sr., middle
Coach Creighton Says: “We hope to compete with the top teams in our league and earn an opportunity to win multiple games during district playoffs.”
