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VOLLEYBALL: History Making Season for La Salle as They Claim Catholic League Championship in 4 Sets Against Archbishop Wood

By PSD Staff - Video/Photos by Kevin Murphy - Video Editor Austin Ampeloquio , 05/23/18, 11:30PM EDT

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Aston, PA— Another history making season makes it into the books for La Salle College High School’s Volleyball team as they claim the 2018 Philadelphia Catholic Title.

The Explorers once again went into the championship game with a perfect (11-0) league record when they faced No. 2 seed Archbishop Wood in the PCL Championship match Monday night at Neumann University.  

This is not a first for the Explorers. They did the same thing last year and the year before that; in fact, this is La Salle’s fourth PCL Title win in five years and their second consecutive undefeated season.

When asked what attributes to La Salle’s consistent success on the court, head coach Jason Eisele said it’s all about the lessons learned with each game that is played.

 

2018 PCL Boys' Volleyball Championship Highlights & On-Camera Interviews, La Salle vs. Wood - Shot by Kevin Murphy, Edited by Austin Ampeloquio:

“Our players have bought into the philosophy that to be a highly competitive team you have to keep growing with each match.  The guys trust that the outcome of any regular season match is meaningless if they haven’t learned something from it,” said Eisele.

This game was no exception as La Salle quickly learned that the Vikings were not going down without a fight and gave the Explorers a tough four set battle.

“Wood is an exceptionally well coached team.  They came in with an awesome game plan. They truly commanded the narrative that they wanted to play out,” said Eisele.

The Explorers won the first set 25-22. Archbishop Wood then answered back taking the second set, 25-23.

La Salle took the third set 25 to 22.

The Vikings then came out ready to battle in the fourth set taking a five-point lead against the Explorers.  However, that did not last long, as the Explorers cut the deficit quickly and it was then a vigorous back and forth heart-pounding match until the Explorers claimed the title by a score of 28-26.

Senior Brett Werner garnered a game high 14 kills for the Explorers, followed by senior Jake Glah with 13 kills. Junior Patrick Mraz had 10, senior Matt Donofrio had 8, senior Chase Kensil 7 and junior Chris Metzler had 5.

Wood was led by senior Brian Piekarski with 18 kills, followed by senior Luke Moffet with 8 and Jake Hober with 6. Senior Patrick McCaffrey had 42 assists on the night.

Eisele lauds his 9 graduating seniors as the building blocks of his team.

 “Our team dynamic is really a family dynamic.  We end each huddle with the motto “we are brothers”.  Our seniors really began embracing this last season as juniors, and the leadership of guys like Jake Glah ’18 are inspiring our younger players to embrace the work ethic that is the foundation of our success.  It is humbling as a coach to watch our seniors assume the responsibility of big brother to our younger players,” said Eisele.

The Explorers are hoping to make history once as they take on Central High School today at 2 p.m. for the District XII 3A Championship at Lincoln High School.  No matter what the outcome may be for Eisele this season has been more than just an unbeaten record.

“I am most proud of the character of this team.  Their loyalty to one another, the high standards and goals they set for themselves, and their trust in the process are the reasons they experienced so much success this season.  It’s been my honor to be a part of their journey,” said Eisele.

2018 PCL Volleyball Championship Photo Gallery - By Kevin Murphy