Pope John Paul II girls volleyball without rust, continues unbeaten streak in win over Methacton
UPPER PROVIDENCE >> During preseason, the Pope John Paul II girls volleyball team brought a large whiteboard into its gym with 50 objectives listed on it to be accomplished in 2023.
Some were pretty straightforward: wave hi to each other in the hallway, huddle up after every play and bring positive attitudes. But scrawled in all caps was perhaps the most demanding goal of all.
“STATE CHAMPS AGAIN!”
That high bar is set after an unblemished, 27-0 record in which the Golden Panthers won their first state championship in program history in a five-set victory over North Catholic last year. With much of their firepower back, they’re already on course for a return trip to Cumberland Valley.
Their path became clearer after a straight-set win over Methacton (25-18, 25-16, 25-16) at home on Monday. The win is the 32nd in a row for the Golden Panthers (5-0).
“We kind of realize we have to work just as hard to get back to where we were,” senior setter Madison Monahan said. “There are a lot of teams that are going to be coming after us this year, so we have to celebrate our past win in states, but realize we have to put in the work to achieve that again. That’s not just gifted to us.”
Pope John Paul II setter Madison Monahan prepares to serve the ball to Methacton at Pope John Paul II High School on Sept. 11. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
Monahan surpassed 1,000 career assists last week and logged another 36 against the Warriors (3-1), fueling hitters Hutton Cordrey (15 kills, seven digs) and Maeve Gallagher (nine kills) all night.
Gabriella Cooper posted 17 digs, Meredith Oister registered 15 digs and Cindy Jin had 13 as the trio anchored a defense that hasn’t let up a single set through five matches this season.
“Most of our starters have come back. I feel it’s last year 2.0,” Monahan said. “We’ve got new middles, our old middles were really good too but we have Norah (Busch) coming in as a sophomore and she is a weapon.”
Pope John Paul II defensive specialist Merideth Oister (25) serves the ball to Methacton at Pope John Paul II High School on Sept. 11. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
Busch got varsity experience last season as a freshman and had a start in the state tournament. On Monday, she logged seven kills with a highlight-reel spike at the net to cap the second set.
Cooper is starting at libero for Pope John Paul II this season following the graduation of sister Grace (Eastern University).
“Grace is on a fairly high level, but so is Gabby,” Pope John Paul II coach Ryan Sell said. “There were times where Gabby played libero for us in some big-time games.”
Methacton volleyball players celebrate a point against Pope John Paul II at Pope John Paul II High School on Sept. 11. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
The opening frame was back-and-forth to start with both teams tied 8-8. The Golden Panthers broke through with a seven-point run to swing the pendulum in their favor. The second set was more in Pope John Paul II’s favor with five points to start. The Golden Panthers led 20-10, that 10-point margin being the most for either team on the night.
But Methacton didn’t go away quietly, making some noise in the third set. The Warriors pieced together a strong start in the final stanza with a 4-1 advantage out the gate. Pope John Paul II closed the gap, tying it 7-7 before tacking on another three straight points for a 10-7 cushion, never looking back.
“They’re competitors, so I think that was going to happen. I wasn’t concerned about them competing, they can play at a high level,” Methacton coach Alex Notaristefano said. “Pope John Paul is a really strong team, so it helps to get out to that strong start. But obviously a couple plays here or there bounced it the other way.”
Methacton hitter Ellie Baldwin (25) makes a tip at the net against Pope John Paul II at Pope John Paul II High School on Sept. 11. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
Two-year captain Kayla Ginther, a first team All-Mercury outside hitter, led the Warriors’ offense with nine kills. Jacquie Rizzuto tacked on six kills while Emma Shaffer added four and Ellie Baldwin had three.
Methacton reached the Pioneer Athletic Conference Final Four last season before qualifying for the first round of the District 1 Class 4A tournament.
Last week, the Warriors faced an early test in Liberty Division rival Perkiomen Valley – another PAC Final Four qualifier – and came out on the right end of a five-set match.
“We started off a little slow in that one, so it was a really nice learning experience,” Notaristefano said. “We got out with the win where sometimes you have that learning experience but get the loss and you have to learn the hard way. I think we were able to weather the storm and still learn something, so it was a pretty good night for us.”
Methacton’s Rachel Pettine sets the ball against Pope John Paul II at Pope John Paul II High School on Sept. 11. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
Having also won the Wilson tournament, one of the deepest and toughest high school volleyball tournaments in the state – for the second year in a row – Pope John Paul II is shining early. And with all-time sky-high expectations comes equal pressure.
To that, the Golden Panthers refer to the little things on that big whiteboard. Those controllable components that are just as important as winning. The things that keep a team a unified front.
“Since I’ve been a freshman before states was even thing for the team, the rules had been say hi to each other in the hallway,” Monahan said. “It’s more about the team and being a family. We care more about that than winning. The winning comes with being so close.”
