Plymouth Whitemarsh battles past Downingtown West in District 1-4A quarterfinals clinches spot in states
WHITEMARSH >> When speaking of her team’s motivation and drive, Plymouth-Whitemarsh’s Neve Straff pointed up towards the rafters.
There, in PW’s spacious gym, resides the Colonials’ impressive but lonesome banner signifying the team’s only district title in girls volleyball, from 1984.
“It’s really exciting to try and make history at PW,” said Straff, a senior outside hitter, “considering only one team in – forever – has (won districts). We’re feeling it.
“I think it’s nice that we’ve all been playing together for so long – there’s 10 seniors. We just kind of melded together this year and worked hard.”
The Colonials combined their many efforts to pull out a thrilling 3-1 win over Downingtown West in the District 1-4A Quarterfinals on Saturday at packed PW.
The Colonials, coming through in the clutch and winning a tight contest to the tune of 25-22, 25-27, 25-22, 25-21, advance to the district semis Tuesday, at home against either Garnet Valley or West Chester East.
“We really jelled and this is a group of athletes. Everyone does their part,” said senior outside hitter Adriana Storti. “There’s no weak link or anything.”
The Colonials are assured of a spot in states. The Whippets now enter playbacks with three other squads, vying for the fifth and final spot in the state tournament.
D-West battled the entire way.
Camryn Tuffner, Darby Weller, Melanie Bowman, Emma Helveston, Maddie McCole and Bella Terra pushed the Whippets to make one run after another, capturing the second set in heart-pumping fashion.
But the Colonials stayed on course.
“The girls stepped up. They took care of business when they needed to,” said PW coach David Stewart, who has guided the team to the district’s final four. “It’s just been that kind of a season.
“We struggled in our service game today for sure. But the girls were super consistent in the rest of our game. They didn’t let anything get to them too much and stayed confident, took care of the ball when they needed to. It’s just a good feeling right now.”
After the Whippets tied the contest at 1-1, PW closed it out in two more tense but satisfying sets.
“Every one of these teams is fantastic,” Stewart said. “We just have to find a way to put balls away and finish. Our setters (Rylie Watton and Ryenn Mamrosch) did a nice job today. They did a nice job. At times, our middles (Amanda Busk and Natalie Small) stepped up and took care of business.
“Our outsides (Storti, Straff) had good, steady play today. A real bright spot was our back defense. They really did a good job. They figured out where hitters were gonna go with the ball, they moved to good positions and adjusted well. And they gave us a chance to stay in a lot of points.”
