ASTON, PA- Throughout the past three years, girls’ volleyball in the Philadelphia Catholic League has been dominated by the Patriots of Archbishop Carroll. Going 36-0 and 12-0, the Patriots have been perfect in sets all regular and post season.
“Kids work hard, kids grind it out. The secret to our success: play hard, play defense, come to play every night, play the same way,” said Carroll head coach Brian McCann.
Carroll has won three straight PCL Championship titles. The third awarded this past Sunday night as they took on the Lady Lions of Cardinal O’Hara at Neumann University’s Mirenda Center. The Patriots won all 3 sets with scores of 25-15, 25-11, and 25-14. They looked amazing on the attack, defensively, and on serves thanks to several key players.
Paige Monastero, named All-Catholic MVP, put up a team high 16 kills along with 13 digs. Leah O’Brien had great poise while serving resulting in 6 aces. She had a stretch of 7 straight serves in the 1st set and 10 straight in the 2nd set. Second-Team All-Catholic Melanie Cotes was unselfish with the ball, racking up 25 assists on the night. First-Team All-Catholic Abby Wright led the team in digs with 17. First-Team All-Catholic Meghan McCann racked up 15 digs and 10 kills as well.
Cardinal O’Hara who finished 11-1 on the season did not go down without a fight. There were several moments in the match where the Lions looked to be coming back with 3- or 4-point runs. In the first set, O’Hara battled back from 18-7 to 22-14. In the 3rd set, they battled back from an 8-0 start from Carroll to get back to 8-4.
First-Team All Catholic Lauren Garvey led the way for the Lions with 6 kills and 6 digs. First-Team All Catholic Maeve Boylan led the team with 8 digs and 3 blocks.
Both Cardinal O’Hara and Archbishop Carroll will move on to play for District 12 titles.
Cardinal O’Hara will play Palumbo on November 2 at 6 p.m. at Bonner-Prendergast High School for the AAA title.
Carroll head coach Brian McCann talks about his team's successful season:
Arch. Carroll seniors talk about achieving their goal of maintaining a perfect season record:
O'Hara seniors Sarah McGarrity & Maeve Boylan address the success the Lady Lions had this season & pass advice to their underclassmen teammates:
O'Hara's head coach Bill Collins gives respect to the PCL champs:
2018 PCL Girls' Volleyball Championship photos by Alexandra Conroy
2018 PCL Girls' Volleyball Championship
Archbishop Carroll is presented with the 2018 Catholic League plaque:
2018 Girls’ Volleyball All-Catholic Team
MVP
Paige Monastero, Outside Hitter - Archbishop Carroll
First-Team
Emily Freer, Outside Hitter - Lansdale Catholic
Maeve Boylan, Setter/Right Side - Cardinal O’Hara
Shannon McDevitt, Middle Blocker - Archbishop Wood
Meghan McCann, Outside Hitter/Libero/Setter - Archbishop Carroll
Lauren Garvey, Outside Hitter - Cardinal O’Hara
Nastassja Corrado, Setter - Lansdale Catholic
Abby Wright, Libero - Archbishop Carroll
Second-Team
Emily Black, Middle Blocker - St. Hubert’s
Patricia Templeton, Outside Hitter - Bishop McDevitt
Melanie Cotes, Setter/Right Side - Archbishop Carroll
Emily Collins, Libero - Cardinal O’Hara
Ashley Brown, Middle Blocker - Lansdale Catholic
Gabriella Deluisi, Setter/Right Side - Archbishop Ryan
Sarah McGarrity, Libero - Cardinal O’Hara
Third-Team
Stephanie Kraft, Setter - Archbishop Wood
Erin Matthews, Libero - Archbishop Wood
Lindsey Fagan, Setter/Right Side - Bonner & Prendie
Ariana McGeary, Right Side/Outside Hitter - Bonner & Prendie
Mackenzie Pugh, Middle Blocker - St. Hubert’s
Siobhan Boylan, Defensive Specialist - Cardinal O’Hara
Hannah Beck, Middle Blocker - Archbishop Ryan