Knights win three GMC Championships

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Jacob Lapinski, who had two kills and three digs in the GMC Final against Monroe, studies the opponent’s positioning bewteen points.

BY AVERY PERSON

Sports Page Editor

            On May 16, the boys volleyball team won the GMC Tournament Championship over Monroe. The girls lacrosse team followed suit on May 18, beating Monroe for the second straight year, and baseball finished the trifecta in a nail-biter over South Plainfield.  

            Oskar Lapinski led the volleyball team with 11 kills and Troy Markle contributed 27 assists to win in straight sets. “The team was able to check off a box for our goals this year,” said Markle. “That environment was great experience for everyone to get used to. With the stakes that game held, it has been able to prepare us for States.” 

            Girls lacrosse defeated Monroe in the GMC Championship for the second straight year. “It feels amazing knowing we were able to repeat exactly what we did last year against the same team,” said senior goalie Gaby Malanga. “We have gone undefeated in the GMC for two years straight now, so winning the championship fulfilled the final matchup for the seniors and me.” 

Reagan Connolly, who scored three goals in the GMC Finals and 14 total in the tournament, carries the ball to mid field to get in position to attack.

            Senior Jessica Chin contributed three assists and freshman Reagan Connolly scored three goals, continuing her impressive recent run where she scored 14 goals in the three GMC Tournament games. “It was definitely a stressful game, but, as soon as I got on the field and the game started, my brain went into overdrive,” said Connolly. 

            The baseball team faced off against top-seeded South Plainfield, who bested them twice in the regular season, in a game that came down to the wire. “We had all the momentum going for us in the first inning, but we knew they wouldn’t go away easily,” said Akhil Penkala, who went two for three and drove in a run. “We knew it would come down to the last inning.”  

Akhil Penkala takes the turn as he approaches first base on one of his two hits during the GMC Finals where he also drove in a run.

            In the bottom of the final inning, junior Justin Hascup came in to pitch and induced a ground ball back to him to end the game. “When Justin came in and fielded the grounder for the last out, that was the exact moment I realized we were champs,” added Penkala.

Posted on 5/21/24

Photos by Dominic Marion and Francesca Panetta

  • Senior Frank Papeo, who started the game at pitcher and knocked in an RBI in the first inning, delivers a pitch during the GMC Finals.
  • Troy Markle, who had 27 assists and a block in the GMC Finals, celbrates after he teammates scored a point in a game earlier in the season.
  • Jessica Chin, who led the team with three assists in the GMC Finals, drives up the field past the oposing defenders.
  • While pinch running for Michael Altman, Ryan Saunders takes his secondary lead off third base before breaking for home on a past ball and scoring what would prove to be the winning run in the GMC Finals.