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GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL: Archbishop Carroll is Set for 4th Title Appearance After Defeating Archbishop Wood in 4 Sets

By Dan McCarty (videos by Dan McCarty), 10/24/19, 10:30PM EDT

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RADNOR, PA-- The streak continued for the second seeded Archbishop Carroll Patriots’ volleyball team as it hosted the Archbishop Wood Vikings in the semifinal round of the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) playoffs Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

For the second season in a row, the defending PCL champion upset Wood, 3-1, and moved on to its fourth consecutive title game.

Plenty of energy and working together both before and during the game was a winning combination for Carroll  in this crucial playoff match.

“Getting all together, being there for each other, having each others backs is the best part,” said Meghan McCann, who ultimately accounted for the game-winning point.

Wood was off to a solid start. The Lady Vikings sealed a 25-18 victory in the opening set, but Carroll came right back for two solid back-to-back wins. Wood tried to rally back in the 4th set. The Patriots ultimately won by scores of 25-15, 25-9 and 25-21.

Trailing by a score of 24-21 late in the fourth set, Wood decided to use a time out to keep the match alive and hopefully, force a 5th set. Carroll, on the other hand, had other plans. All it took was one last kill by McCann to secure the victory.

“I got my team behind me,” said McCann. “I just had to go up, do this for them, help my team out, get to that PCL championship and keep going from there.”

McCann finished with a total of 10 kills including the game-winner. She was also a key player on defense with three digs.  Teammate Kerry Anne Dillon had the last four blocks. Ava Adamson came off of the bench and added six service aces late in regulation. Co-captains Leah O’Brien (37 assists) and Paige Monastero (17 kills) contributed as well.

Archbishop Carroll vs. Archbishop Wood Semifinal Match

Carroll junior Meghan McCann talks about making that game-winning point.

Despite the loss, Wood has a lot to be proud of for what they achieved this year. The number three seed went (10-3) in the league this season.

“We’ve honestly improved so much,” said co-captain Shannon McDevitt. “We definitely showed that we’re doing amazing.”

McDevitt (eight kills, four blocks), co-captain Stephanie Kraft (six service aces, five kills, two blocks) and Alyssa Jones (10 kills) all led the squad on the evening.

“I’m really proud of how we played in this game tonight,” said Kraft.

Carroll co-captains, Paige Monastero (L) & Leah O'Brien talk about team mindset heading into the final

Wood senior co-captains Shannon McDevitt (L) & Stephanie Kraft offer words of wisdom to their returning teammates.

Carroll has the chance to bring home its fourth straight Catholic League trophy when it takes on top-seeded Cardinal O’Hara this Sunday at Neumann University. A familiar setting for the two teams as they faced each other in the finals last year.

The Patriots, who went (12-1) in the league, had only one loss this season and that was to... you guessed it. The Lady Lions went undefeated with a 13-0 league record. The Championship Final promises to be a match worth seeing courtside!