The Pennridge Rams were disappointed in accepting the District One Class 3A boys volleyball silver medals for the third year in a row, but they are getting a pretty nice consolation prize.
The Rams, who lost to Pennsbury in the District One final, will be back on the court next Tuesday in the PIAA tournament against the District 12 champion. La Salle faced Northeast in the District 12 final on Wednesday, after the Herald went to print.
“We’re a good team. If we can bounce back from this, we can probably go pretty far,” junior outside hitter Bryce Ammon said after last Thursday night’s 3-1 loss to Pennsbury. “We’ve just got to bring the hype.”
Second-seeded Pennridge won the Suburban One League American Conference with a 14-0 record. Top-seeded Pennsbury had the same record in winning the SOL National Conference. The Rams and Falcons scrimmaged in the preseason, but didn’t meet in the regular season.
“It was the battle of the undefeateds, and both teams really wanted it,” said Pennridge senior setter Evan Jalosinski.
Pennsbury took the first set, 25-17.
Pennridge, which also dropped the first set against Unionville in the semifinals, stormed back to dominate the second set against Pennsbury, winning 25-12.
“We had great serves and great passes and a whole bunch of momentum,” Ammon said.
Heading into the third set, the district title was up for grabs.
“You can’t overreact to the first game, and you can’t overreact to the second game,” said Pennridge coach Dave Childs.
It was Pennsbury, though, that seized control, taking the next two sets by scores of 25-18 and 25-15.
“Our game was good,” Jalosinski said. “They’re just as good as us, if not better.”
Childs said the outcome came down to the basics.
“Whoever won the serve and pass game won the game,” he said.
The Falcons will face the loser of the La Salle vs. Northeast match in the first round of states. Unionville claimed District One’s third bid to states, blanking Bensalem, 3-0, in the first match of the doubleheader at Upper Dublin.
For Pennridge (17-2), Evan Jalosinski recorded 25 assists. Logan Jalosinski, his younger brother, notched 12 kills. Ammon totaled eight kills and eight digs. Aaron Ladd added four kills and three blocks. Jude Rotondo had four kills. Chris Cullen contributed two kills and four blocks. Ethan Vo had eight digs.
Pennridge finished second in the district for the third year in a row. The Rams lost to Neshaminy in 2022 and Upper Dublin last year.
“It’s sad to finish second place in the final three times,” Ammon said.
Still, Ammon knows the state tournament offers redemption. He was on the 2022 team that advanced to the state semifinals, losing in five sets to eventual champion North Allegheny. A year ago, he and the Rams lost in the first round to La Salle.
Evan Jalosinski, who plans to play intramural or club volleyball at Penn State, doesn’t want to end his high school career with another first-round exit.
“We can do better in states,” he said. “We are ready. We’re definitely going to bring the heat in the first round.”
Childs has confidence in his team.
“We’re not done,” he said. “We’re a good team.”
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