High school volleyball season returned to the courts in South Philly on Aug. 26 as Academy at Palumbo hosted Neumann-Goretti in a neighborhood matchup.
Although the two teams are on two different missions in two different conferences, both the Griffins and the Saints had a lot of positives as they push forward into their respective seasons.
Philadelphia Public League powerhouse Palumbo took the match in three sets (25-13, 25-19, 25-22) in front of a packed crowd at the Palumbo Recreation Center in Bella Vista. It was the Griffins’ first step in what they hope is another promising season in a league that has been growing in talent.
“Our goal is to win a state playoff game, win districts and the Public League championship,” Palumbo coach EJ Goldstein said. “It’s what the Public League should be doing. There are a lot of girls who are really good in the league and the goal should be more than just win the Pub.”
Goldstein’s team is just two years removed from a Public League championship and returned to the title bout last year, losing to Central High School. The girls program has won six PPL titles overall since 2014.
The Griffins aim high every year. This season is no different, except they might put more miles on the team bus than they usually do.
“We’re playing in a Moorestown scrimmage tournament and heading up to Council Rock North for the first time,” Goldstein said. “We’re going to Wissahickon and also Merion Mercy. They are all really good programs in the suburbs with really good coaching and the girls need to experience that. And we get to let people know there is good volleyball in Philly as well.”
Neumann-Goretti is becoming another prime example of it.
The Saints returned to the Catholic League playoffs last year after winning four games in their conference. They return hitters Vienna Coccia and Sammy Oteri, who both received PCL honors last season. Sammy’s twin sister is the new setter and Val Conte returns as the fearless libero on the back line. Softball star Lilah Moscinski is part of an athletic and enthusiastic group that has a chance to push the team a step further. They begin PCL play on Sept. 15 against West Catholic.
“I feel like we’re all connected this year,” Sammy Oteri said. “Last year, we didn’t have as many strong people. We’re a lot more connected this year and we’ve been working really hard.”
It’s another year under head coach John DeRenzi’s belt, too. DeRenzi stepped in during the late stages of preseason last year when the spot became suddenly vacant. He’s seen a lot of growth in his short time as coach.
“We have a team now and we have structure,” DeRenzi said. “We’re going to win more than we did last year, we hope.”
Although the Saints weren’t able to take a set from Palumbo in their non-league opener, they were competitive in every set — even leading by five points in the second frame.
All signs are pointing to a positive, bright future.
“We had 18 girls come out as new freshmen,” DeRenzi said. “Last year, we had three. I’m just hoping to build a winning program here.”
