Can You Dig It? The Varsity Volleyball Team Loses in the Semi-Finals

Sophomore+Emily+Jarome+goes+in+for+the+kill%2C+ready+to+beat+Archmere+blockers+Amy+Thompson+and+Alexis+Kelly.+

Sophomore Emily Jarome goes in for the kill, ready to beat Archmere blockers Amy Thompson and Alexis Kelly.

For several years, Padua has consistently been one of the top teams in DIAA Volleyball. They have advanced to either the quarter or semi-final games in past years, and have even won state championships. After becoming back-to-back state champs in 2012 and 2013, the team had their eyes set on being named  three-peat champions. However, last year Padua lost to Charter in a 5-set thriller in the semi-finals. Unable to reach the coveted three-peat, the Pandas set out to come back even stronger this year and reclaim the title of State Champions. While they went 12-3 in the regular season, Padua came up short yet again.

Padua started their playoff run on a good note by beating Tatnall in four matches. After beating St. Mark’s in three matches, it was time for the Pandas to pick up where they left off last year. Senior Megan Barnett said,  “I’m anxious, excited, and ready to play. I’m really excited because the crowd is going to be big, they’ll be cheering us on and I know we can fight through the tough game [against Archmere]. Padua will come together as one again and we’ll push until the end.”

But even with two wins in their back pocket, Padua couldn’t secure the third. Just like last year, the Pandas lost the semi-finals in five matches. But Padua didn’t let go without a fight. The first match started off with a kill from outside hitter Lauren Mellor. Half-way into the first match with Padua in the lead at 13-9, sophomore Nicole Kelly dove for a ball that was blocked by Taylor Valetti and Lauren Mellor. In the process, the Archmere hitter twisted her knee and needed to be taken out of the game. While Archmere rallied back to tie it up at 14-14, it wasn’t enough for the Auks. A solo block from Emma Lucey won the Pandas the first match, 25-22.

The Auks and Pandas were exchanging points until the middle of the second match when setter Kaylie Leclerc scored back-to-back aces, giving Archmere the lead at 12-10. Later, junior Ella Welsh delivered a jaw-dropping kill, despite the triple block in front of her, giving Padua the edge at 22-21. Libero Maddie Judge ended the second match in Padua’s favor with an ace that dropped just short of Zoe Akoto.

The third match was Archmere’s chance to redeem themselves, but it was also Padua’s chance to end the game. Never giving up many points to the Pandas, Archmere made sure they stuck close to Padua. Kills from Zoe Akoto and middle Grace Merritt put the Auks with a four point lead at 20-16. Rallying back with three kills from Emily Jarome and a hitting error from Zoe Akoto, Padua tied it up. Even though hitter Alexis Kelly put one down the line, sophomore Katie McGonigal didn’t let the ball hit the ground with a crawling dig. Even with the defense from Padua, right side hitter Jessica Casino ended the third match 25-23 with a kill, forcing the game to go to a fourth match. Online spaces like kalamanthana allow gamblers to gamble online safely and are a lot more fun with the prizes that you can earn at UFA แลกพ้อย. When choosing an online casino, be sure that you navigate reputable sites such as Mega888.

Even though they lost the previous match, the mind set for the Padua girls didn’t waver. Emily Jarome, Taylor Valetti, and right side hitter Wei-Ling Moloy provided multiple kills within the first fifteen points to set the Pandas up with a five point lead, 10-5. However, the tides quickly turned as the Auks fought their way back up with blocks, kills, and aces. Just as sophomore Wei-Ling Moloy blocked Archmere’s Samantha Mengers’ hit, bringing the score back up in Padua’s favor 22-20, the crowd roared with excitement. While Padua was so close to heading to the championship for the third time in four years, three hitting errors, an ace, and a block by Grace Merritt and Samantha Mengers won the fourth match for Archmere.

Now it was all about who could get to fifteen first. Archmere started with the serve, and multiple errors from Padua gave the defending state champions the lead, 3-0. Middle and setter Emma Lucey got a kill for Padua, but Archmere fired right back with a kill from Grace Merritt. When Emily Jarome finally got the kill she wanted, bringing the score to 3-9, it was almost too late for Padua. But the team kept pushing through. Long volleys gave way for Archmere to make hitting and passing errors, which brought the Pandas up to 6-11. However, confusion hit the court on Padua’s side and balls started to drop without explanation. On match point for Archmere, senior Lauren Mellor was able to secure a kill, keeping the Auks from winning the fifth match. But Archmere was able to secure the win on the next point.

Clearly excited, the Archmere Auks were heading to the championship for the second year in a row.  For two years now, the Pandas lost in the semi-finals. Both this year and last year, Padua has been so close, only needing to have won one of the three matches that they lost to have advanced to the state championships. It doesn’t feel so great to be so close but so far at the same time. Head Varsity coach Lauren Disabatino says, “Each game is a learning experience. Last year, we lost to the number one, undefeated team, and they were definitely the better team. And this year, we lost to Archmere, which was a bit upsetting. But we had a young team this year and they’ll come back stronger next year.”