Albert Gallatin
Coach: Michelle Pergar (2nd year)
Returning Starters:
5-10 junior outside/middle Jayla Johnson
6-0 junior middle Megan Harkins
Season Outlook:
Please give me an outlook for your team for this season: Last yr was our schools first ever playoff berth. We are looking to do well in our regular season and work towords another trip to playoffs.
Section Favorite: Thomas Jefferson
------------------------------------
Central Valley
Coach: Kevin Hummert (2nd year)
Returning Starters:
senior setter Allison Ball
senior libero Kennedy Muhl
senior outside hitter Stephanie Stajduhar
senior defensive specialist Alaina Stark
junior outside hitter Kelsey Dickenson
junior defensive specialist Maddie Kuzmich
junior middle/right hitter Tatum LeDonne
junior setter Kaitlyn Lyons
junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Samantha Yetsick
Season Outlook:
We return a large group of girls who were part of last years varsity rotation that did very well so that should be a positive and we have done very well in our two summer leagues and two team camps, competing with and defeating some very high level competition. I would say Central Valley does not have a top player of the D1 nature and that is a strength in my opinion because we dont rely on one player to carry the team. The team has nine or more potential players that could significantly impact a game on any given night with their skill set. But Central Valley does return two All-WPIAL players in libero Kennedy Muhl and outside hitter Stephanie Stajduhar, and four All-Section players. We return all our servers and all our serve receive passers, which I think can be an advantage if the girls take advantage of this skill set.
Section Favorite:
I would say Central Valley, Knoch, Hampton, and Mars should all be considered section favorites as well as top ten teams in WPIAL 3A.
WPIAL Favorite:
I would say any of the top four in our section could be considered a favorite along with teams like Montour, South Fayette, West Allegheny, Chartiers Valley, and Thomas Jefferson.
------------------------------------
Chartiers Valley
Coach: Jason Ferri (4th at CV, 19th overall)
Returning Starters:
5-4 senior libero Jocelyn Dunn
5-1 senior defensive specialist Carmina Sibeto
5-9 junior middle hitter Laney Friburger
5-10 junior setter/right hitter Ashlynn Gulakowski
5-9 junior outside hitter Mara Hartoyo
5-9 sophomore middle hitter Amaleen Malcolm
Season Outlook:
Having only two seniors, we will be looking for younger players to step up and capture positions. With that said, we should be considerable deeper than have been the last two years with a very competitive sophomore and junior class challenging for starting varsity spots. I expect that we will be competitive with most teams we will face.
Section Favorite:
There should be a lot of very good teams across the board in our section. South Fayette and Montour return experienced hitters which may give them an advantage. I would expect all the teams in the section though to be fairly even. Look for this section to be a "dogfight."
Young Players to Watch:
For my team, there are several players who could be difference makers for us including: 5-4 sophomore outside/right hitter Riley Pawlosky.
------------------------------------
Elizabeth Forward
Coach: Kameron Smith (3rd year at EF, 7th overall)
Returning Starters:
5-4 senior defensive specialist Emma Barawich
5-5 senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Lexi Korenoski
5-9 senior middle hitter Aniya Robins
6-0 junior middle hitter Bri Spirnak
5-5 junior defensive specialist Sara Beatty
5-7 junior outside hitter Sadie Porter
5-9 junior outside/right hitter Alexa Martell
5-9 sophomore outside/middle hitter Leah Fournier
Season Outlook:
We have a good core of returning players. We lost three good starters to graduation, but we have a number of girls working hard to step up and take over. I am looking for another year in the playoffs and a deeper run than last year.
Section Favorite:
Thomas Jefferson is always a favorite. I know they lost some good players, but they still have a number of weapons returning. I think my girls feel that they can give them a run for the title this year.
WPIAL Favorite:
I'm not really sure. I know Hampton has returning talent, but I'm not sure how much they lost.
Young Players to Watch:
I have a sophomore - Leah Fournier - who contributed at the end of last year because of some injuries, and I feel that she is ready to make a splash in the WPIAL.
------------------------------------
Greensburg Salem
Coach: Taylor L. Guido (2nd year)
Returning Starters:
5-9 Junior Outside Hitter Erica Steele
5-3 Junior Outside Hitter Mya Berger
5-7 Junior Middle Hitter Malia Anderson
5-6 Junior Middle Hitter Morgan O'Leary
5-2 Senior Setter Emily Earle
5-4 Junior Setter Kara Uhlinger
5-3 Senior Libero Taylor Sharp
5-5 Senior Defensive Specialist Kenzie Beveridge
5-2 Junior Defensive Specialist Lizzy Wygonik
Section Favorite: Greensburg Salem
WPIAL Favorite: West Allegheny
------------------------------------
Hampton
Coach: Matt Robertson (Fourth Year as head coach, fifth year with the program)
Returning starters:
5-11 senior outside hitter Jane Smith
5-6 Senior Outside/Oppo Maddie Ware
5-8 Senior Outside Kira Diehm
6-4 Junior Middle Anastasia Russ
Season Outlook:
Had a lot of starters graduate this past year but have a very talented Junior class that got to play against one of the best teams in the Wpial in practice all of last year. We will have many players who will be able to make contributions at multiple positions.
Section Favorite: Knoch
WPIAL Favorite: Knoch
Young Players to Watch:
Anastasia Russ who was first team All-WPIAL as a sophomore last year.
------------------------------------
Indiana
Coach: Dawn Shaffer (2nd year)
Returning Starters:
5-10 senior outside hitter Alyssa Rayko
5-11 senior middle hitter Allison Ream
5-10 senior middle hitter Lauren Hartnett
5-5 senior defensive specialist Jordan Raible
5-6 senior defensive specialist Emma Stossel
5-7 junior setter Katelyn Stossel
5-6 junior defensive specialist Emily Wright
Season Outlook:
We are a older team with many players who have past experience. We are looking to take advantage of our dept on the bench to make an impact in the WPIAL.
Section Favorite:
I think it will be another tight race between last year's tri-champs: Gateway, Greensburg Salem, Indiana.
------------------------------------
Knoch
Coach: Diane Geist (32nd year)
Returning Starters:
6-0 Senior middle hitter Sarah Armahizer
5-6 Senior libero Carly Bozzo
6-0 Senior opposite Abby Kopac
5-6 Senior defensive specialist Makenzie McDowell
5-8 Senior outside hitter Bethany Nulph
5-7 Senior outside hitter/setter Abby Pospisil
5-6 Junior setter Kerrie Fitzpatrick
5-9 Sophomore middle hitter Kennedy Christy
6-0 Sophomore opposite Hannah Rowe
Season Outlook:
We want to challenge for the section title and for the WPIAL title.
WPIAL Favorite:
The top four from last year: West Allegheny, Hampton, Knoch and South Fayette
Young Players to Watch:
Sophomore Kennedy Christy from Knoch should make an impact this year.
------------------------------------
Mars
Coach: Tami Caraway (5th year)
Returning Starters:
5-9 senior outside hitter Sydney Amell
6-0 senior middle blocker Maddie Schlegel
5-8 junior outside hitter Alayna Chizmar
5-9 senior setter Sophia Lamm
5-8 senior defensive specialist Isabel Berkopec
Season Outlook:
After the graduation of a talented senior class, there are a number of players stepping up into larger roles this season. There is a lot of energy and excitement in the gym as we work to put a cohesive and effective team together.
Section Favorite: The section is very tough and evenly matched. There are five teams that could win any given match and none that can be overlooked as a potential section champ.
WPIAL Favorite: West Allegheny comes back as the defending champion but there are a number of other teams that are bringing back talented and experienced players. It will be an exciting season to watch.
------------------------------------
Montour
Coach: Mike Marchionda (9th year, 1st since 2001)
Returning Starters:
6-0 senior outside hitter Amalia Esposito
6-0 junior outside hitter Rosina Esposito
5-5 senior libero Mia DiClemente
Season Outlook:
We have two very good athletes in the Esposito sisters who will shoulder our offense this year. We also have Senior 5'10 setter Alexis Bruscemi who has played club the past 4 years but is playing for Montour for the first year. She will help us as she is a solid setter. Gabby Tanny is a 5'10 junior middle who is athletic and should be a solid blocker. We feel good about going into the year and making a run for the section and WPIAL. We also have 5'8 senior outside Mackenzie Herbst who will provide stability to the lineup as well as 5'11 freshman middle hitter Alexandra Leise who will provide a solid block for us.
Section Favorite:
I'd say West Allegheny, South Fayette, and Montour are the top teams in the section with Ambridge and Chartiers Valley close behind.
WPIAL Favorite:
Knoch is the team with the most players back but Central Valley as well as Montour and West Allegheny and South Fayette should contend as well.
------------------------------------
South Fayette
Coach: Scott Sundgren (16th year)
Returning Starters:
5-7 Senior Outside hitter Haley Altemus
5-4 Senior Libero Madison Johnston
5-2 Senior Defensive specialist Taylor Marmarelli
5-6 Junior Setter Aubrey Hetland
5-6 Junior Middle hitter Olivia Goerdt
Season Outlook:
I think we'll be competitive. We will be young and will have to work hard to compete with the teams in our section and AAA.
Section Favorite:
Probably Montour. They seem to have not lost a lot.
WPIAL Favorite:
Looks like Knoch. Central Valley is pretty strong as well.
------------------------------------
Thomas Jefferson
Coach: Ron Kelly (17th year at TJ)
Returning Starters:
5-8 senior setter Morgan Yurkovich
5-11 senior middle hitter Sarah Fullard
5-5 senior outside hitter Mikayla Falk
5-7 senior right-side hitter Savannah Vernet
5-6 junior libero Sidney Moran
5-1 junior backrow specialist Julia Micklo
Season Outlook:
We have a good team with lots of depth. We have 3 or 4 girls battling at multiple positions for starting jobs. Experience backrow with a strong returning setter. Should be a good first ball team.
Section Favorite:
I think we should be the favorite in our section with Elizabeth Forward being a tough challenger.
WPIAL Favorite:
Knoch probably has the best core of returning players. That being said there is 7 to 8 teams that can win it all. Knoch, Hampton, Central Valley, South Fayette, West Allegheny, Montour, and Thomas Jefferson will challenge each other.
Young Players to Watch:
I have 2 sophomores that will start for me: 6-0 middle hitter Tyler Turk and 5-9 right side Natasha Yanief.
------------------------------------
West Mifflin
Coach: Matt Donovan (1st year at West Mifflin, 2nd overall)
Returning Starters:
5-8 senior middle hitter Brittany Boehm
5-4 senior outside hitter Hayley Heatherington
5-10 junior middle hitter Paige Matey
Season Outlook:
Our goal is to qualify for a 2nd straight playoff appearance which would be a first in program history.
Section Favorite: Indiana.
WPIAL Favorite: West Allegheny.