Sports

Boyertown Serves a Shutout against Upper Merion Tuesday Night

Bears sweep Vikings 3-0

Jason Napoli, Staff Writer

September 9, 2025

Story originally written on: 9/9/25

UPPER MERION, PA – Upper Merion fell short to Boyertown in hard fought play, Tuesday night. The Bears took control and never looked back, winning 3 sets to none. This was a very back and forth contest, with a ton of momentum changes, lead changes, etc.

“There was a lot of teaching points, we have a young team. We have a freshman outside, we have a sophomore center, we have a sophomore right side. Although they played varsity last year some of them, now they are now primary players as opposed to being complementary players. This is a big strong team that we played against today, and we have to cut out some of our young mistakes, or certainly limit them. I thought we made too many today that were unforced errors” said Upper Merion head coach Tony Funsten, postgame.

Photo by: Stella Lyons-Rebain, Bella Maiden communicates with teammate Valeria Paneto

In set number one, the Bears struck first off of a Mikaella Canete attack error. That was followed by Caneto tying the game up with a kill, making up for her prior mistake, 1-1. From here until about quarter of the way to 25, Upper Merion held the lead. After the tie at 7, Boyertown scored and did not let Upper Merion regain the lead for the rest of the set. The final score of the set was 25-18, and the Bears were up one set to none.

Starting the second set, the Bears looked just as dominant as they did in the first. After quickly going up 7-2, Upper Merion slowly started to crawl their way back. Eventually, things were all tied at 13, Mikaella Canete was the one who made things all even. Then, Boyertown scored and did not look back, again. The final score of set two was 25-17, and Boyertown was up.

“It’s a game of mistakes, and it’s the team that limits their mistakes that can gain the upper hand. You see, it was just a couple points. This game, and earlier games, we had leads that we gave up. I felt by giving them some things they didn’t earn” Funsten also added.

Heading into the third set Upper Merion had a choice, they could keep the game going and take the set, or they could drop it and get shut out. They definitely made it interesting. The Vikings started the set with a hefty lead, 14-8, but that was not enough. With a few key mistakes, and Boyertown’s outside hitter Ava Hurter, the Bears all of the sudden took the lead late, 23-22. Boyertown ended up stealing the third set, and swept the Vikings 3-0 at Valhalla Gymnasium.

Photo by: Stella Lyons-Rebain, Mikaella Cañte serves ball

This win pushed Boyertown to 5-3, starting the season off on a good note. They will host Pope John Paul on Thursday (9/11), looking to carry the winning momentum. As for Upper Merion, they fall to 2-4 on the season, not the start anyone expected. They will host Spring-Ford on Thursday (9/11).

About the Contributor

Jason Napoli, Staff Writer – Sports

Jason, a junior and second-year staffer, serves as a Staff Writer for The Viking Call, primarily contributing to the Sports section. He thrives on covering sports games, including interviewing, storytelling, attention to detail, or ability to capture emotion in game recaps. Jason is most proud of his Kennedy Coles Commitment article, a project that allowed him to write his first commitment article. Outside of journalism, you’ll find Jason listening to music or spending time with friends. If he could interview anyone, it would be Jalen Hurts, whose work ethic and resilience inspire him. After high school, Jason plans to study Journalism. Before that, he hopes to write an article for The Viking Call that truly impresses even his own standards.