FORT WASHINGTON -- Just two days after cruising passed Shipley School in the second round of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association tournament, Germantown Academy's volleyball team was back in action on Wednesday. The Patriots hosted a familiar foe in The Baldwin School, a team that GA bested twice this season, 3-1. After two tight sets, Germantown Academy was able to get some distance from the Bears, ultimately winning the match 3-1 (25-20, 23-26, 25-13, 25-17).

GA found themselves down 12-3 at one point, before chipping away at the Baldwin lead and pulling even at 18 and taking a 20-19 lead moments later, an advantage they would not give up. The Bears went ahead in the second set as well and led by as many as six points before the Patriots mounted a comeback and tied the set at 24. However, Baldwin was able to escape the set with the win. 

After two nail-biting sets, Germantown Academy settled in and gained control of the match and did not trail the rest of the way.

The Patriots posted season-highs with 53 kills, 48 assists, and 68 digs in the match. Caroline Smith '25 recorded a team-high 17 kills in the match while Kaitlin Pokorny '24 had 10 and Ellie Smith '23 had five. 

Angie Wang '24 recorded 30 assists, nine digs, six aces and three kills. Liv Reynolds '25 tallied a team-high 15 digs, while Nicole Ward '26 added five aces and 10 digs. 

With the result, GA advances to the PAISAA Championship where they will take on another familiar opponent, Academy of Notre Dame de Namur. Germantown Academy got the best of Notre Dame twice this season, 3-0 and 3-2, but the Irish have claimed each PAISAA title dating back to 2013. 

The PAISAA Championship will be played at Baldwin School on Nov. 4 at 5pm.