BY DAN MCCARTY
(Photos by Ryan Nix)
FORT WASHTINGTON, PA--It was quite a contest as the Germantown Academy Patriots hosted the Academy of Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Inter-Ac League volleyball action on Tuesday, October 17. A team effort helped Germantown Academy sweep Notre Dame in a 3-0 shutout.
“I really think it was just the whole team,” said GA senior center Angie Wang. “So many people stepped up. We’ve been working so hard for this game all season long. The energy was really great.”
Top-seeded Germantown Academy (GA) entered into this match with an undefeated Inter-Ac record of 5-0 while second-seeded Notre Dame stood at 5-1. This outcome kept GA undefeated with both teams waiting to determine who will be the league champion this season. At this point, the Patriots need just one more victory to clinch it.
Germantown Academy vs. Academy of Notre Dame. (Video by Ryan Nix and Dan McCarty for PSD)
GA was victorious taking three sets by scores of 25-20, 25-14 and 25-21.
The Patriots, (6-0) league, (15-1) overall, faced the Irish (5-2) league, (12-7) overall back in September with GA winning that match in four sets. Both teams knew that going into this match would definitely be a challenge.
“We always take it one set at a time, regardless of how we are playing,” said GA senior outside hitter Kaitlin Pokorny.
Germantown Academy Senior Center Angie Wang talks about match intensity and treating each game as it comes. (Video/ Dan McCarty)
Germantown Academy Senior Defender Kaitlin Pokorny discusses energy level of her team in this match.(Video/ Dan McCarty)
As the season comes to an end, defending Pennsylvania Independent Scholastic Athletic Association (PAISAA) champion Academy of Notre Dame and GA will continue to fight for that top spot in the league. The Patriots just need to get an additional win to clinch the Inter-Ac title or at the very least a share of the title. The Irish are no strangers to the championship ring and have taken home the state trophy for the last 9 years and are eager to keep that winning streak alive. These two teams have a strong history of facing each other again in the playoffs
Academy of Notre Dame Senior defender Carolyn Meehan Anticipated this matchup and it's history. (Video/ Dan McCarty)
Academy of Notre Dame Sophomore Kayla Edginton discusses team's dynamics going into this match. (Video/ Dan McCarty)
“Moving forward, I’m excited to play them again,” said Notre Dame senior Carolyn Meehan. “It’s always a fun game. I’m looking forward to it.”
Inter-Ac League competition resumes on Friday, October 20. GA travels to take on Springside Chestnut Hill Academy at 5:15 p.m. It then wraps up the regular season hosting the Agnes Irwin School on Tuesday, October 23 at 5:00 p.m.
“We’re going to treat each of them as its own game,” said Wang. “We haven’t won anything yet." (When asked about the Inter-Ac Title). "We’re going to come into practice, work really hard.”
Notre Dame will host The Baldwin School in its regular season finale this Friday (5:00 p.m.).
“I’m excited to move forward,” said Academy of Notre Dame sophomore middle blocker Kayla Edginton. “I think we can really bring it during playoffs. We just have to have high energy.”
