La Salle College High Scholl - 2022 PCL Champions - PSD photo by Kathy Leister
Photos/Videos: Kathy Leister & Jake Gabel
By: Jake Gabel
RADNOR, PA - La Salle College High School added another piece of hardware to its teeming trophy case this past Tuesday. The Explorer’s took home its sixth consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League title after defeating No. 3 seeded Lansdale Catholic in three sets, 25-15, 25-10, and 25-16.
The start of the match really set the tone for the entire championship, as La Salle would get out an 8-0 lead in the first set. Towards the end of the set, there was an electric point that saw the ball go over the net eight times, including multiple special plays on both sides to keep the rally going. The seemingly never-ending point would come to a close with a thunderous kill from La Salle senior Andrew Mattia.
In the second set, Lansdale managed to keep the score close in the beginning but still trailed the Explorers 5-4. The close gap did not last long, as La Salle put together a 20-6 run for the remainder of the set, winning the second set 25-10. Again, we would see the fantastic chemistry between Mattia and La Salle senior setter James Barton. The two team captains would hook up on several more kill plays throughout the match.
In the third and final set, both teams traded points resulting in an early 5-5 tie. Then the Explorers kicked it in gear winning three straight points.
2022 PCL Championship Highlights - LA Salle vs. Lansdale Catholic - PSD Video by Jake Gabel
This time however, Lansdale Catholic would respond and tie things back up at 10-10. Despite Lansdale Catholic’s valiant effort, it was not enough, as La Salle would take the final set 25-16, sealing their sixth straight championship.
“We really showed what our brotherhood is today,” said Mattia. “La Salle is champions once again. I’m so excited and these boys deserve it.”
La Salle’s run of dominance in the Philadelphia Catholic League has been led by their head coach Jason Eisele. Eisele has kept La Salle’s championship streak going long enough that the seniors on his team never experienced a season during their entire high school careers that didn’t result in raising the coveted PCL plaque. That of course, excludes the 2020 season, which was wiped out due to COVID-19.
“It's about getting them to buy into a process as opposed to an outcome,” Eisele said. “No one is invincible, so they understand that if we want to stay on top, it's a process and you have to trust the process.”
LA Salle senior Andrew Mattia was extremely proud of his team and talks about their overall growth – PSD Video by Jake Gabel
La Salle senior James Barton reflects back on the regular season, culminating to another PCL title – PSD Video by Jake Gabel
When it comes to a team that went undefeated in league play this season, you would not think that there were many obstacles for the Explorers to overcome. But according to Eisele and his team captains, that is far from the case. La Salle faced several injuries and illnesses throughout the season to several players. Even in the championship game, La Salle was not at full strength, missing their backup setter.
“You know, we say in practice, if the toughest competition we face is ourselves, no one can stand in our way,” Eisele said. “Today, I did not have my backup setter, my setter got hurt, we were in trouble. We had some missing pieces today as well, but my guys have competed so hard in practice that it’s next man up and they have really adopted that, and it showed itself today.”
While PCL play has come to an end, the focus now shifts to bringing home a state title.
La Salle will represent the Philadelphia Catholic League in the District 12 Championship on Thursday, May 26 at 5 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln High School. The Explorer’s will play George Washington High School. As for Lansdale Catholic, the Crusaders also have the opportunity for a state championship run. Before La Salle takes the floor, Lansdale will also compete tomorrow for the District 12 2A title against Palumbo at 3:00 p.m. Archbishop Wood will play for third place in 2A against Frankford at 3:00 at Fels High School.
