Methacton sweeps Spring-Ford on Senior Night
WORCESTER >> Methacton already clinched a spot in the Pioneer Athletic Conference Final Four for the first time in school history prior to Wednesday’s game against Spring-Ford, but the Warriors 3-0 win, 25-20, 25-14, 25-18, at Methacton High School adds to the historic season.
“We were always fifth,” Warriors head coach Shane Manser said. “We were always that fifth team that was right there and almost made it.
“We were able to take both from (Perk Valley) this year and take both from Spring-Ford this year which propelled us up into the final four.”
“It feels amazing,” senior Sydney Zerbe said. “We worked so hard this season. We condition, we’ve done everything possible. It finally feels good that it’s paying off.”
Methacton improved to 12-4 overall and 9-3 in PAC play with its win over the Rams before closing the regular season against Boyertown Thursday night. The league playoffs start Tuesday.
“They’re always a consistent team,” Spring-Ford coach Josh McNulty said of Methacton. “We have four very competitive teams (in the Liberty Division). It’s like even when you have a good squad, other teams have just as good or better some years. Methacton is always consistent. They don’t make a lot of unforced errors and they play great defense. That’s been their key to success every year. Every time we play them I know that it seems like no matter what we do it’s hard to get the ball to hit the ground. They play great defense, they never give up on the ball and they just minimize their unforced errors.”
Wednesday was also Senior Night for the Warriors. Zerbe, Nya Cherry and Elly Brunt were all honored before the game.
“They’ve all improved,” Manser said. “We always say every year how are we going to replace those seniors. Last year the seniors that we had were amazing and they played libero and setter and outside hitter and defensive specialist for a long period of time so replacing them was a huge task. The three seniors we have this year stepped right up into those roles as leaders — vocal leaders, leaders by example. They do the big things, they do the little things.”
Zerbe finished with a team-high 11 kills and five digs against Spring-Ford.
“Sydney didn’t play back row last year,” Manser said, “came back in this year and just played all the way around and dominated all the way around the court. She’s our best coverer of tips so she’ll read the tip before the person tips it and she’ll run across the court and dig it before it’s even out of the girl’s hand. She’s our leading kill-getter offensively on the outside. She serve-receives well, she plays defense well, she has a lot of digs. All the way around she’s a solid volleyball player.”
“Ever since sophomore year I’ve been playing varsity,” Zerbe said, “and I’ve always been working to play back row and to play all around. I finally got it this year. It’s really an honor to me.”
Cherry posted nine digs in the three-set win.
“Nya does whatever you ask her to do,” Manser said. “Left, right or middle in the back row. She sets in practice for us now and then. She does whatever you ask, doesn’t say a word, she just goes and does it to the best of her ability. I don’t think she missed a serve all year so if you need a crunch-time server, she’s it. It’s awesome.”
Brunt had four aces, four assists and 21 digs.
“You look at the roster like who’s going to be the libero this year,” Manser said. “(Brunt) stepped in and took it. She earned it and she owned it. She has no regard for her physical well-being whatsoever. She’s diving all over the place, covering the whole court. You just put her in and let her play.”
