By: Jeffrey Kauffman
Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 6:49 PM
Jeffrey Kauffmann | For TribLive
Oakland Catholic’s captains accept the runner-up trophy after losing to Pope John Paul II in the PIAA Class 3A championship game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP — Three-time defending state champion Pope John Paul II swept its way to the PIAA Class 3A championship for the fourth time, winning 26-24, 26-24, 25-18 over Oakland Catholic on Saturday at Cumberland Valley High School.
“We have struggled this year with injuries and changing personnel, but the kids stayed focused,” said Panthers coach Ryan Sell. “We lost three times to (Class 4A state finalist) Spring-Ford and had to overcome those losses.
“I thought we played more focused when we fell behind in the second set. In that game, every point matters when you are down nine, 10 points. Norah Busch was big, but I thought Haley Maloney and freshman Cailyn McTamney really stepped up.”
The first game went back and forth before Pope John Paul II tallied the final two points on kills by Busch to win 26-24. Oakland Catholic used the hitting of Josie Fontana and Michayla Booth to keep the game close. Sophia Benincasa had numerous points on her serve.
In the second game, Oakland Catholic jumped out to early lead of five to seven points. They got a big effort from Fontana. But the wheels came off when they led 20-10. Several times, they suffered from a lack of focus on handling the ball and serving into the nets. They still led 24-19, but let the game get away.
Rallying to tie the game at 24, Pope John Paul II went on to win 26-24 again to take the 2-0 lead. Every ball went back and forth until a set got in the right area for Busch or Maloney.
Caitlyn McTamney had some huge hits for points in Game 3 for the Panthers. They led 19-12 when the Eagles called a time out. The Eagles never gave up, but their inability to shut down the Panthers’ big hitters or get a good set to finish off a point proved pivotal. Leah Wallace did some serving and earned points for the Panthers in her first varsity action this year.
“I am so proud of our kids as they played well, but also know they left the opportunities out there,” said Oakland Catholic coach Jenna Potts. “We had hoped to celebrate our season today, but the kids do not want to. They had a great season, and these seniors were phenomenal leaders and led the way. We had two freshmen in the lineup in Eva Wrabley and Eliza Jesniowski, and they never looked like freshmen.”
Tags: Oakland Catholic