This year, the Academy at Palumbo volleyball program hit a milestone by adding its 10th Public League championship trophy to its expanding collection.
That marks six titles for the girls, who compete in the fall, and four for the boys, who will take the court in the spring. Not bad for an institution that has been a high school since only 2006.
What’s the secret?
Both teams are coached by EJ Goldstein, who was more than happy to pull back the curtain after the Griffins defeated Central in an incredible five-set match performance on Oct. 30 at Abraham Lincoln High School.
“It’s the kids, man,” Goldstein said after watching the girls team celebrate its PPL championship. “If they didn’t put the work in during the summer and trust the process, it wouldn’t matter what I do. They help create the culture. And they are just great kids.”
The Griffins went 18-4 this season, which ended with a loss to Cardinal O’Hara in the PIAA District 12 championship. The Lions went undefeated in the Catholic League en route to their third PCL title in the last four years. Palumbo lost only to Bensalem, Archbishop Ryan and Lower Merion during the regular season.
Twice as nice
The Griffins had defeated two-time defending champ Central in four sets on Oct. 15. But that means very little when facing a perennial champ on the big stage in the playoffs. Goldstein said he reminded his team of that prior to introductions in the championship match.
“I told them they earned the right to be here today but that doesn’t mean you deserve to win,” Goldstein said. “You got to take it. Central, man, they came out and were like, ‘Not on our watch.’ There was a huge momentum shift in their favor and we knew we had to win the fourth set because they don’t want us in the fifth set. They just rode that momentum.”
Isn’t it Ironic?
The Griffins memorably survived a pair of match points in the fourth set before finishing off the rally in the fifth. During one of those match point serves, a familiar face was on the service line. Central’s Cecilia Naples, who is the sister of Palumbo’s AJ Naples, had a chance for ultimate bragging rights.
“They were serving for match point with a sister of one of my boys players,” Goldstein said. “I was thinking this would be so strange if Ceci wins this match on the service line. Thankfully for us that didn’t happen.”
Evenflow
Palumbo senior Leyla Hosendorf said one of the team’s best qualities is to remain calm in the brunt of the storm. Not too high, not too low.
“We always stay afloat and up on everything whether we are down or not,” Hosendorf said. “We just have overall good dynamic as a team with friendships and everything off the court.”
Record Breaker
During the season, a highly-regarded record was smashed. Junior setter Eva Troung surpassed Isabella Siligrini for the top spot on the Griffins’ all-time assist record. Siligrini, a 2021 graduate, ended up with 625 career assists. Truong is up to 778 and counting, following a tremendous season with 462 helpers.
Looking ahead, 2024 grad Telise Davis-Carter’s record of 376 career kills could be in danger rather soon if trajectories continue. Freshman phenom Anna Bracali contributed 239 kills in her rookie season, meaning she’s on pace to top the chart during her sophomore season.
Youth movement
With only three graduating seniors, and a taste of playoff success under the belts of a talented core of freshmen and sophomores, the Griffins could be primed for an even bigger season next year.
“I’m ready,” Truong said. “I think we can also do it again next year. They are so talented and they are going to get even better over the summer playing club. I’m so excited to see what they are going to do even after I’m gone in two years.
All signs pointing to the likeliness of another classic championship match against Central in 2025.
“In the last 11 years, we’ve been in this game eight times and I think all but one has been against Central,” Goldstein said. “It’s pretty crazy.”
Goldstein touts his players on having an incredible work ethic. It’s easy to see where they learned it.
“Coach Goldstein is very dedicated,” Bracali said. “He puts in a ton of work and it shows. He’s awesome.”
