Last spring Pennridge and William Tennent, a surprise 6 seed, took two of the three District One 3A PIAA volleyball slots. Pennridge repeated as SOL American champions. Tennent was part of a three-way tie for first in the SOL National.
The balance of power hasn’t changed much early in 2024. The Rams opened 3-0 in SOL play, following their 3-1 win over Central Bucks South on Tuesday night. Jude Rotondo had double-digit kills in Pennridge’s opening two wins: a 3-0 sweep of Upper Dublin and a 3-0 win over North Penn.
Tennent (3-1, 2-1 SOL) rebounded on Tuesday night with a 3-0 win over Abington after falling to undefeated Bensalem 3-1 on March 26. The Panthers opened their season with a pair of 3-0 wins over Archbishop Wood and Council Rock South.
But the first team to four SOL wins was a surprise: Central Bucks West (5-1, 4-0 SOL), who struggled in a 6-13 campaign last year. The Bucks dropped their opener to Pennsbury, but Tuesday night’s 3-1 (25-22, 25-16, 24-26, 25-20) win over Souderton gave West a five-game win streak.
Dean Nguyen had a season-high 17 kills and 11 digs; he has averaged double-digit kills during the streak. Fellow hitter Cooper Tyksinski has also averaged 10 kills per match during the run; he added eight kills against Souderton while setter Liam Boyle turned in a season-high 39 assists. Boyle now has 30-plus assists in all of West’s wins.
Council Rock North (2-2, 2-1 SOL) enters press time tied for third in the National with William Tennent. The Indians lost to rival Neshaminy Tuesday night 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 27-25, 25-23) but will be favored in their match against Cheltenham this Thursday.
Upper Dublin took over third place in the SOL American on Tuesday night with a 3-1 win over now fourth-place CB East (3-2, 2-1 SOL). Both schools are currently looking up at CB West and Pennridge. East’s Reid Miller and Evan Blank both killed 16 in the Patriots’ 3-1 win over Souderton on March 26.
This Thursday, CB West hosts North Penn, Tennent takes on Neshaminy and Pennridge travels to CB East.
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