The Spartans put together a balanced offensive and defensive effort to secure the victory and improve to 1-4 on the year.
The team totaled 25 kills, 22 assists and 19 digs. Standout players included Carter Knueppel, David Barlow and Jack O’Shea, who were instrumental in leading the Spartans to the win.
O’Shea, stepping into the role of varsity setter for the first time, ran a 5-1 offense with poise and precision. Head coach Walter Witt praised the junior for his impact.
“Jack O’Shea did an outstanding job running a 5-1 offense for the first time at the varsity level,” Witt said. “He got everyone involved—Prince Trimuel, Carter Knueppel, and David Barlow each had five or more kills.”
O’Shea’s ability to distribute the ball effectively allowed Marian Catholic’s offense to flow smoothly, keeping St. Rita on the defensive throughout the match.
Witt also highlighted the contributions of senior libero Ricky Gallegos, who added 10 digs and displayed strong leadership on the court.
“Ricky showed excellent leadership and hustle today,” Witt said. “Our team played with focus and energy from start to finish.”
The Spartans showed significant growth in both execution and communication, turning in their most complete performance of the season.
Marian Catholic will look to build on this momentum when it returns to action Tuesday against Rich Township. The Spartans aim to continue improving as they move deeper into the regular season.