Girls Volleyball: Pope John Paul II makes quick work of Middletown, advances to PIAA 3A semifinals

REIFFTON >> Two down and two to go for two in a row.

That’s the position the Pope John Paul II girls volleyball team finds itself after Saturday’s 3-0 triumph (25-9, 25-16, 25-21) over Middletown in a PIAA Class 3A quarterfinal at Exeter High School that advanced the reigning state champs into Tuesday’s semifinals.

The undefeated Golden Panthers (25-0) charged into the final week of the season with another straight set victory, this time over the District 3 champions after overwhelming District 12’s Engineering and Science on Tuesday.

PJP’s quest to return to the state final at Cumberland Valley next Saturday continues on Tuesday against District 3 runner-up Spring Grove at a site and time to be determined.

Final: Pope John Paul II 3, Middletown 0, PIAA 3A girls volleyball quarterfinal

Reigning champs roll into state semifinals and will face another District 3 opponent Spring Grove on Tuesday

25-21 final set pic.twitter.com/O64coApl0i

— Austin Hertzog (@AustinHertzog) November 11, 2023

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“I feel awesome. I know my team feels awesome too,” junior outside hitter Maeve Gallagher said. “Even though it is our second year (deep into the postseason), it’s still nerve-wracking when you’re actually in the midst of it. (Middletown) is a new team that we played, but I think we kept up like a really good game.”

There are sky-high expectations on a squad that returned the bulk of its lineup to defend a state championship, yet the Golden Panthers keep living up to billing.

“I think we definitely lived up to it today,” said senior outside hitter Natalie Ricevuto. “It was a big thing coming into the game that we just wanted energy out there and just to connect with the team and get our flow together. I definitely think that’s what we did when we were out there and we just worked well together.

“The energy, there’s just nothing like it. It’s just so uplifting to play out there with everyone and everyone just pulls their weight and we just go together so well.”

PJP presents an intimidating front line with 6-1 Ricevuto (team-high 11 kills), 6-0 Gallagher (8 kills) and senior Hutton Cordrey (7 kills, 12 digs) alongside middle blockers 6-1 sophomore Norah Busch (5 kills) and 5-11 junior Josie Arezina (3 kills).

Middletown wasn’t the first team to be wondering how to combat such a wall.

“When one person goes out and a new one’s out there, it’s not like (there’s a dropoff).  We’re just so strong,” Ricevuto said. “There’s no weak person out there. If I was the other team, I would be scared. It’s terrifying, I would think, to be back there. Everyone pulls their weight so well.”

The challenge led Middletown to make more errors than it may regularly and with a 25-9 first set, the Golden Panthers were on their way.

Middletown was within two points, down 22-20, late in the third set but PJP locked in and closed out the match on back-to-back Ricevuto attacks.

Senior setter Madison Monahan had 32 assists to create for the vaunted front line, while senior libero Gabriella Cooper stood out with 14 digs and 14 service points and senior defensive specialists Cindy Jin and Gabrielle Manza each had five service points.

With a winning streak now at 52 games, Pope John Paul II is facing down every team’s best shot and handling it capably.

“I’m definitely motivated and I know that every team is going to be good competition from now on,” Gallagher said. “I think I just like to keep my composure and to know that to have the confidence that we can reach the point that we did last year and gain the second title. That’s definitely the top goal for me and just the motivation to keep playing well.”

“We’re all best friends, so I think we all trust each other,” Ricevuto said. “Before the games we go around, we say what we’re thankful for and what and who we’re playing for and we show what we want to show out there. We have our goals before each game and I think that helps us. We can connect because of that and we all are working towards the same thing.”

By week’s end, it just may be another state championship.