Despite falling 3-1 to state-ranked York Suburban, the Crusaders made history by winning their first-ever set in a state playoff match
Graduation day marked a milestone both on and off the court for Lansdale Catholic’s boys volleyball seniors, who played their final match in the school gym Tuesday night in the opening round of the PIAA Class 2A state tournament.
Despite falling 3-1 to state-ranked York Suburban, the Crusaders made history by winning their first-ever set in a state playoff match, a proud moment for a program still growing in southeastern Pennsylvania, according to The Reporter.
The underdog Crusaders stunned York Suburban in the opening set, rallying behind strong performances from seniors Sean Carr, Shaun Emmerich, and Kevin Montagna.
With a 25-22 win in the first set, LC showed resilience and determination, per the report.
“We went down swinging,” said senior Jordan Miller. “We left it all on the court.”
The second set saw York Suburban respond forcefully with a 25-11 win, powered by standout outside hitter Trent Weinstein, who tallied 23 kills in the match, according to the article.
Lansdale Catholic battled hard in the third set, erasing multiple set points before ultimately dropping it 28-26.
While York Suburban secured the fourth set and the match, LC never quit. Head coach Rachel Picozzi praised the team’s effort, particularly highlighting the growth of a senior group that included several first-year volleyball players, according to The Reporter.
The Crusaders’ senior class leaves behind a Catholic League title — the school’s first in any boys’ team sport — and a program more competitive and confident than ever.
According to the article, Carr earned PCL MVP honors, and Montagna will continue his career at Penn State-Altoona, while others plan to play club volleyball in college.
“This isn’t just a team, it’s a family,” Miller said, whose younger brother will continue with the legacy.
Read more details on the game here.
