Balanced attack and strong serving push Crusaders to 5-1 league record
Lansdale Catholic girls volleyball dropped the opening set to visiting Conwell-Egan on Thursday but stormed back behind dominant serving to earn a four-set Philadelphia Catholic League victory.
The Crusaders piled up 31 aces on the night to secure their third straight win, 23-25, 25-14, 25-18, 25-13, according to a gameplay report from The Mercury.
Junior Molly Callen capped the match with an ace, one of eight LC players to record at least one from the service line. Marissa Passerini and Mia Gamza each had seven aces, while Holly Rolley added six, according to the report.
Senior Ellie Carickhoff and Greta Swope both chipped in four apiece.
“This was definitely one of our better serving days,” Carickhoff told The Mercury, noting the emphasis on serving in practice.
Coach Rachael Picozzi credited the work her team has put in during training sessions, saying the players have spent significant time sharpening their serves.
Carickhoff, a 2024 all-state outside hitter, also finished with 12 kills and seven digs. Royds dished 17 assists to go with seven digs, and Gamza recorded 15 assists and eight digs, according to the report. Rylee Hassinger had eight kills, while Swope added five.
The win moves LC to 8-4 overall and 5-1 in the league, keeping pace in the PCL standings alongside Archbishop Ryan, with Cardinal O’Hara still unbeaten in first. The Crusaders won the PCL title in 2023 before reaching the state semifinals last fall.
They play a nonleague home match against Central Bucks South on Monday, followed by a return to league play Tuesday against Neumann-Goretti.
