Varsity Volleyball Holds Strong at Weekend Tournament Despite Key Absences

The Varsity volleyball squad turned in a commendable performance over the weekend, finishing second in their pool even while missing three core starters: their Libero, Serving Specialist, and right-side hitter. Stepping into unfamiliar roles, the backups rose to the occasion under pressure, showcasing depth and resilience throughout the day.

Pool play began with a hard-fought 2–0 loss to Armstrong, but the team rebounded brilliantly to shut out South Park (2–0) and Maplewood (2–0), clinching second place and a spot in the quarterfinals. Though the run ended there with a loss to Saegertown, the Coach Rob Hall was quick to highlight the positives: “I’m proud of the guys who stepped up in new spots and did a nice job for us.”

Standout performances came from several players filling those gaps. Senior outside hitter Jake Pollick led the attack with 25 kills, added 2 service aces, and contributed 13 digs defensively. Opposite hitter Alex Alvarado was equally impressive, chipping in 17 kills, 4 aces, and 14 digs to keep the offense humming. Meanwhile, setter Paul Thompson ran a crisp offense with 46 assists, chipped in 6 kills, and even snagged an ace of his own.

Looking ahead, the squad shifts focus to a crucial week of league play. Tonight they travel to Saint Francis, then host Trinity on Tuesday, and close out the week at Our Lady of Lourdes on Thursday. With their full lineup expected back in action soon, the team aims to carry their tournament momentum into the regular season and make another deep postseason run.