Crusaders push Avonworth in first PIAA championship appearance before Antelopes pull away
Lansdale Catholic’s run to its first-ever PIAA girls volleyball final ended Saturday with a 3-1 loss to Avonworth, as the District 12 champs couldn’t sustain the momentum of a dominant second set in the Class 2A title match.
After dropping the opening frame 25-21, the Crusaders stormed back with a 25-6 win to even the match — but Avonworth responded with a decisive 10-0 run in the third to reclaim control at Cumberland Valley, according to gameplay coverage from The Mercury.
The Antelopes never trailed again, taking the third set 25-12 and holding off a late LC push in the fourth for a 25-23 victory.
LC survived three match points and nearly forced a fifth set, but the rally fell just short. Senior standout Marissa Passerini helped fuel the earlier surge with a string of aces, while classmate Ellie Carickhoff keyed LC’s late-set comeback efforts, according to the report.
Despite the loss, the Crusaders completed a landmark season — becoming the first Philadelphia Catholic League and District 12 team to reach a state volleyball final and advancing deeper than any LC squad in program history, according to The Mercury.
Head coach Rachael Picozzi and several seniors told The Mercury the ending was emotional but the run was unforgettable, noting the team’s chemistry and the milestone of reaching the championship after last year’s semifinal exit.
Read full match details and see photos here.
