Shaak’s fast start serves Notre Dame well
Youth was served for Notre Dame in Wednesday’s 3-0 win (25-20, 25-19, 25-20) over Bonner & Prendergast in nonleague girls volleyball.
Riley Shaak continued an impressive start to her freshman campaign with nine kills. The ninth-grader dominated at the net and was helped by teammates Allison Hendrick, who delivered eight kills, and Emma Butler, who contributed 22 assists.
The Irish improved to 2-2 on the season while Maggie McPeak had a solid night in a losing effort, finishing with a dozen assists and 11 digs for the Pandas.
In other non-league play:
Cardinal O’Hara 3, West Chester Rustin 1 >> After committing nine unforced errors in dropping the first set 24-26, the Lions found their rhythm in rallying for the road win.
Breanna Hickey filled up the stat sheet with 11 kills, three blocks, 15 digs, one ace and three assists. The Daly twins Kiki (12 kills, 16 digs) and Erin (10 kills, 19 digs) starred as well as Meghan MacWilliams, who finished with 30 assists.
In the Catholic Academies League:
Villa Maria 3, Sacred Heart 0 >> Jaycee Webster came up with five kills and 10 digs, but it wasn’t enough as the Lions (2-2 overall and league) fell, 25-18, 25-18, 25-17).
In the Central League:
Garnet Valley 3, Harriton 0 >> Early in the season, it appears the league title contention will once again go through the Jags (4-0, 3-0), who remained unbeaten with a 25-10, 27-25, 25-12 sweep. Gabby Davis’ 30 assists sparked the offense, while Lizzie Herestofa came up with 14 digs on the defensive side.
Penncrest 3, Ridley 0 >> The Green Raiders put up a fight on the defensive side, but couldn’t find the shots necessary to fight off the Lions. Jackie Kelly, with 22, and Mel June, 21, each eclipsed 20 digs.
Teammate Kayla Nespoli was a force at the net with six kills and four blocks. Penncrest, though, was too strong, taking the 25-16, 25-17, 25-22 win. Diana Balta, an All-Delco, led the Lions with 19 kills. Nikki Gargiule contributed 28 assists and 22 digs.
Strath Haven 3, Lower Merion 0 >> The Panthers (3-1, 3-0) cruised thanks to a typical strong performance from Bree Fisher, who totaled seven kills. Emma Cormican finished with five aces in the victory.
Conestoga 3, Radnor 1 >> Brianna Ellis posted a double-double with 12 kills, 10 assists, two digs and two blocks, and Carleigh Goldstein added 13 kills, 10 assists and five digs, but the Raiders fell by game scores of 25-14, 22-25, 25-16 and 25-12. Sammy Scannapieco came up with 15 digs, and Erica DiCarlo added 10.
Springfield 3, Marple Newtown 2 >> Jenna Cooper had 10 digs, and Bekah Roberts and Olivia Young combined for six blocks and 11 kills, but the Tigers dropped an exciting five-setter, 25-15, 13-25, 21-25, 25-16 and 15-13.
In the Del Val League:
Chichester 3, Penn Wood 0 >> Julia Miles fronted the Eagles’ 25-13, 25-15, 25-20 sweep, finishing with six aces, seven kills and four assists. Caitlyn Jones helped out with three aces and seven assists.
