Cocalico clinches second place in Section 2: L-L League boys volleyball roundup for May 7 matches

Tuesday was the penultimate night of section play in L-L League boys volleyball for the 2024 season. The four league semifinalists are now set. Here’s the roundup, with plenty of news and nuggets …

Boys' volleyball

Plenty of scenarios still on the table as L-L League boys volleyball races reach the finish line

JEFF REINHART | Sports Writer

SECTION 1

Warwick 3, Penn Manor 1 — The Warriors spotted the host Comets the first set, then roared from behind for a 16-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 victory to remain percentage points behind Hempfield in the section standings. The Black Knights finished up 10-2; Warwick is 9-2, and wraps up league play Thursday at home vs. Manheim Township. Win there, and the Warriors will force a tie for the section crown with Hempfield. Warwick is the defending back-to-back Section 1 winner, and will go for three straight banners vs. the Blue Streaks. If Township KO’s the Warriors, Hempfield would win the crown outright. Stay tuned. Either way, Hempfield and Warwick will rep Section 1 in the league semifinals on May 13. Tuesday, Nathan Wenger (32 assists, 2 aces), Kyle Charles (19 kills) and Parker Gooding (14 digs) sparked the Warriors, while Harry Whited (15 kills, 4 aces), Garrett Cortez (12 digs) and Reece Andreychek (38 assists) led upset-minded Penn Manor.

Manheim Township 3, Conestoga Valley 2 — A thriller in Neffsville, where the Streaks outlasted the Buckskins 21-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13 in a 5-set battle royale. Daniel McGowan set up 52 assists and Owen Moore slammed 17 kills for Township, while Rowan Aisenbrey had 36 digs, Jemiah Burkholder drilled 17 kills and Noah Huynh teed up 17 assists for CV. Now, Township hopes to play spoiler on Thursday at Warwick.

In another Section 1 showdown on Tuesday, Hempfield topped host Cedar Crest to remain alone in first place by percentage points over Warwick — while knocking the Falcons out of the league playoff chase in the process. Here’s the story, plus a photo gallery from Lebanon …

Boys' volleyball

Hempfield wins over Cedar Crest in L-L League Section 1 volleyball clash

JEFF REINHART | Sports Writer

McCaskey had the Section 1 bye on Tuesday.

L-L LEAGUE BOYS VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS, SCHEDULES, BOX SCORES

SECTION 2

Manheim Central 3, Lebanon 0 — The section champion Barons closed in on another perfect run through league play — and Central still has yet to drop a set this spring — with a 25-12, 25-18, 25-8 triumph over the host Cedars. The Barons will go for another 12-0 run Thursday vs. Garden Spot. Dylan Musser (25 assists, 2 blocks), Landon Mattiace (7 kills) and Reagan Miller (14 digs, 5 aces) paced Central; Brian Marshall (7 kills, 7 blocks), Yadiel Gonzalez (10 digs) and Tyson Griffiths (10 assists) led Lebanon. FYI: Central, the reigning league champ, will take on the Section 1 runner-up — Hempfield or Warwick — in the league semifinals on May 13.

A fresh set of PVCA state rankings hit the inter-webs, and Central — at No. 2 in Class 2A — is still the only L-L League team to get a nod. Warwick and Hempfield appeared on the 3A list earlier this season.

PVCA BOYS VOLLEYBALL STATE RANKINGS

Cocalico 3, Ephrata 1 — The host Eagles fell behind early, but roared past the Mountaineers 20-25, 25-10, 25-19, 25-18 to clinch second place and a league playoff invite. Cocalico will play the Section 1 champ — Hempfield or Warwick — in the league semifinals on May 13. Yohanis Hildebrand (13 kills, 5 aces), Mason Lesher (11 digs) and Jacob Wambolt (19 assists) helped fuel Cocalico’s comeback. Braydon Fries (25 assists), Austin Fries (11 kills) and Austin Greiner (17 digs) stepped up for Ephrata.

Elizabethtown 3, Garden Spot 0 — The Bears took care of their business. But when Cocalico outlasted Ephrata, E-town was eliminated from the league playoff chase. Still, Matthew Kerin dished off 27 assists and had a pair of aces, Prabin Bhattarai sparked the defense with 17 digs, and Cooper Torborg smashed 14 kills for E-town. Ryan Lambert had 13 digs and Aiden Mininger had 13 assists for the host Spartans.

Lancaster Mennonite had the Section 2 bye on Tuesday.

DISTRICT 3 BOYS VOLLEYBALL POWER RATINGS

THURSDAY’S LEAGUE MATCHES

End of regular season

SECTION 1

Cedar Crest at Conestoga Valley, 7 p.m.

Manheim Township at Warwick, 7 p.m. (LNP coverage)

McCaskey at Penn Manor, 7 p.m.

SECTION 2

Garden Spot at Manheim Central, 7 p.m.

Lancaster Mennonite at Lebanon, 7 p.m.

Cocalico at Elizabethtown, 7 p.m.