1998 GIRLS WATER POLO TEAM
PIAA State Champion
The 1998 girls' water polo team entered the season with high hopes of achieving a longtime goal of the school's program: to be the best team in the state. This team of hard- working, dedicated, and passionate players succeeded, beating state perennial powerhouse, Cumberland Valley, 13-8 in the state championship game.
Throughout the season, the Maidens cruised to a 20-1 regular season record, with their only loss to Cumberland Valley. The Maidens were victorious against all league opponents and named the Southern Division League Champions. The team entered the state qualifier tournament with confidence, and ended the tournament with a first place seed at the state championship tournament after beating Souderton (11-1), Wilson (7-5), and the reigning state champions, Cumberland Valley (5-3).
The Maidens had one goal in their mind, reaching the state championship tournament, but focused on each individual game. The Maidens outscored the Wilson Bulldogs 10-1 to advance to the championship game. Entering the game, Cumberland Valley had one mission: shut down North Penn's two meter offense. The offensive pressure rested solely on the shoulders of the Maiden's perimeter players. It did not take very long for Cumberland Valley to realize the Maidens were up to the task. North Penn jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The rest is history as the North Penn Maidens went on to win their first state championship title, defeating Cumberland Valley, 13-8.
In addition to winning the school's first womens state championship title, several players were awarded with individual accolades. Andrea Umlauf and Laura DiLuigi earned 2nd team All American status, and 5th team All American status, respectively. Denise Labold, Laura DiLuigi, and Andrea Umlauf received 1st team All State honors; Monica Hachen received 2nd team All State honors; and Ashley Jernigan received 3rd team All State honors.
Team Record 21 - 1
North Penn 7 Wissahickon 3 North Penn 5 Wissahickon 4
North Penn 2 Cumberland Valley 4 North Penn 10 Upper Perkiomen 1
North Penn 9 Souderton 2 North Penn 9 Wilson 7
North Penn 9 Souderton 3 North Penn 11 Souderton 1
North Penn 6 Eire McDowell 2 North Penn 7 Wilson 5
North Penn 10 Wyoming V West 6 North Penn 5 Cumberland Valley 3
North Penn 16 Lawrenceville 5 North Penn 9 Upper Merion 5
North Penn 9 Wissahickon 4 North Penn 11 Souderton 3
North Penn 13 Upper Perkiomen 2 North Penn 13 Pottsville 4
North Penn 8 Upper Merion 2 North Penn 11 Wilson 1
North Penn 14 Lawrenceville 7
State Championship Game:
North Penn 13 Cumberland Valley 8
PIAA State Championship Team Members:
Laura DiLuigi Denise Labold
Julie Good Melanie McManus
Rebecca Grant Jen Morelli
Monica Hachen Katie Plewinski
Ashley Jernigan Nichole Seward
Brittany Jernigan Andrea Umlauf
Kim Kline Lyndsay Wittmer
PIAA All State: Andrea Umlauf, Laura DiLuigi, 1st Team All State
Monica Hachen 2nd Team All State; Ashley Jernigan, Denise Labold 3rd Team All State
All Americans: Monica Hachen 2nd Team; Ashley Jernigan 3rd Team
Assistant Coach: Denise Geunes
Head Coach: Bill Bartle
Captains: Andrea Umlauf, Laura DiLuigi
Team Members in picture (left to right):
Front row: 2nd row: 3rd row: 4th row: 4th row:
Joanna Clayton Amanda Katch Jen Morrelli Becky Naudasher Lyndsay Wittmer
Colleen Good Julie Good Adrienne Taylor Ashley Jernigan Christina Long
Rebecca Grant Dawn Linde Kara Ketterer Brittany Jernigan Laura DiLuigi
Denise Labold Laura MacMullen Kim Kline Kate Plewinski Monica Hachen
Maggie Young Erica DiLuigi Ashley McNeil Melanie McManus Andrea Umlauf
Kim Dingman Veronica Szabo Nichole Seward Coach Geunes
Gina Peterman Bree Neuschwauder
Not Pictured: Gretchen Sisson