The journey is over for the Pennridge boys volleyball team.
But it was quite a ride.
The Rams fell in the PIAA Class 3A semifinals to District Seven champion North Allegheny, 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-17) on Tuesday at Bald Eagle High School in Bellefonte. The Tigers are the three-time defending state champions.
Pennridge senior Riley Kodidek had 27 assists, senior Tyler Johnson picked up nine kills and two blocks, sophomore Jude Rotondo ended the day with 10 kills, while Alex Derk chipped in seven digs, Thomas McKinney had four kills and six digs and Nick Smith put up four kills and two blocks.
North Allegheny will take on District Three champion Central Dauphin in Saturday’s state final at Penn State.
Pennridge, the District One runner-up, ends the season 19-3. The Rams also won a share of the Suburban One League American Conference title with a 13-1 record.
It’s the fourth time Pennridge had reached the semifinals and their first trip since 2016. They also went to the final four in 2010 and 2012.
The Rams got that far by virtue of a come-from-behind victory over District 10 champion Erie McDowell, 3-2, in Saturday’s quarterfinals, also at Bald Eagle.
Erie McDowell won the first game, 25-16, and Pennridge won the second, 25-15. Erie McDowell won the third game, 25-20, and the Rams were in trouble.
Pennridge won the fourth game, 25-15, to force the fifth and the Rams were able to pull out a 15-12 victory to claim the match.
“It was awesome,” Pennridge coach David Childs said. “It was kind of a strange match. There were a lot of blowouts, and that was weird.
“But our guys maintained their composure and stayed aggressive. I think both teams felt the pressure and rose to the occasion.
“We had a lot of experience and that was helpful in both coming back and also fighting off comebacks. Everyone played their part. Jude Rotondo had a bunch of digs and Bryce Ammon served great for us and hit well when we needed him to.”
Kodidek ended the match with 42 assists and three blocks, senior Johnson had 12 kills and four blocks, while McKinney chipped in 11 digs and nine kills for Pennridge.
Also for the Rams, Derk had 10 digs and two aces, Smith had five kills and three blocks, Ty Porter added seven digs, Rotondo had 10 kills and nine digs and Ammon, a freshman, finished with eight kills and two aces.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
