For The Dialog
BRANDYWINE HUNDRED – Padua’s second-ranked volleyball team traveled to Concord on Sept. 12 and swept the Raiders in three quick sets, improving to 2-0 on the young season. Set scores were 25-3, 25-7 and 25-4.
The Pandas jumped out early behind the serving of Emma Lucey, who had two aces, and Taylor Valletti added two kills on the way to a 7-0 lead. Gabrielle Portincasa got Concord on the board, but Emily Jarome took over. The junior hitter mashed four thunderous kills to set up a 10-1 run and a 17-2 lead. Katelyn McGonegal finished the set with an ace.
Padua raced to a 12-4 lead in set two, with Jarome and Ella Welsh contributing kills. Freshman Jessica Molen made her presence know with some scoring strikes, and Lucey also contributed. The second set, like the first, ended with an ace, this one from Molen. Concord was in the third set, trailing, 6-4, when Padua junior Taylor Mueller took over the serve and didn’t relinquish it. She had six aces in that 19-point stretch as the Pandas closed it out.
Jarome led the Pandas with 11 kills, while Welsh and Lucey added five each. Padua travels to Wilmington Friends on Thursday for a 6:45 p.m. match between two top-five teams. Concord (0-1) hosts Wilmington Charter on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
