Ambridge
Coach: Glenn Freed (8th year)
Returning Starters:
6-1 senior outside hitter Logan Sweigart
5-7 senior libero Erik Lundquist
5-9 senior setter Daniel Elliott
6-3 senior middle hitter Devin Dishong
5-9 junior outside hitter/setter Dorien Priddy
6-4 sophomore outside hitter Liam Buck
Season Outlook:
Three players were lost due to graduation, of which 2 were starters (1 All-State player and both were All-WPIAL first-team players). There are 5 seniors this year who will need to lead the team. The team has 3 returning All-WPIAL players (Devin Dishong, Liam Buck, Daniel Elliott). Daniel Elliott and Dorien Priddy will be setting and running the offense. The team must replace a middle hitter position vacated by a graduate. The team has a lot of experience coming off of the club travel season this winter.
Section Favorite:
I do not think there is a favorite in the section. Beaver C.C., Ambridge, and Montour should push for the top spot.
WPIAL Favorite:
I think Deer Lakes is the favorite in the WPIAL in AA.
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Beaver C.C.
Coach: Christen Adels (10th year)
Returning Starters:
6-4 senior middle hitter Peter Barbato
6-1 senior outside hitter Sam Verrett
6-1 sophomore outside hitter Zac Barbato
Season Outlook:
We graduated five of our top eight players from last year, including two players named to the Class AA All-State Team. In total, we graduated 10 on a roster of 21 players, which was, by far, the largest team in the 9 year history of our boys' program. Other than our three returning starters, no other player has varsity experience, so we will be "under construction" for the first part of the season and will rely heavily on role players. Seniors Peter Barbato and Sam Verrett are our captains, and I've challenged them to lead the team to the WPIAL semi-finals, which is certainly a stretch goal this year! The guys have great attitudes and work hard, so I'm looking forward to seeing how the team comes together as the season progresses.
Section Favorite:
Ambridge is the favorite but Montour could give them a run for the section title.
WPIAL Favorite:
Deer Lakes, Derry and Ambridge should all be in the mix as they were in last year's final four and return most of their starters.
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Montour
Coach: Mike Vavrek (4th year, 13th overall boys and girls)
Returning Starters:
5-7 senior setter Mikel Battles
5-9 senior setter Nick Nazak
6-0 senior outside hitter Brady Carver
6-1 senior opposite Justin Molitoris
5-5 senior libero Luke Trohaugh
6-3 senior middle hitter DJ Pfarner
5-11 senior outside hitter Brandon Wagner
Season Outlook:
Outlook is to stay healthy, get better everyday, make the playoffs in our tough section.
Section Favorite:
Ambridge should be the section favorite.
WPIAL Favorite:
Deer Lakes, Derry, and Ambridge.
Young Players to Watch:
For Montour, I have a sophomore Nathan Donahue who should start and help us out. Seton LaSalle has a freshman that should do some good things for them.
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Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Coach: Mike McDonald (25th year at OLSH, 32 overall)
Returning Starters:
6-6 senior middle hitter Jim Entz
6-2 senior outside hitter Preston Roczko
5-11 senior libero Ian Polidora
5-9 junior outside hitter Andrew Schnarre
6-0 junior opposite Paul Belak
6-1 junior middle hitter Ryan Parker
5-10 sophomore setter Brock Saftner
Season Outlook:
After missing the playoffs for the first time in the last 11 years, OLSH hopes to regain that form and qualify this season. The returning experience should help a little bit, but OLSH will have to perform better both as a team and as individual players. Depth is still an issue so healthy players will also be a factor.
Section & WPIAL Favorites:
I think Ambridge and Montour are the clear favorites in our section, if you add in Derry, Deer Lakes, and Seton LaSalle, you have a pretty solid top 5 group in the WPIAL
Young Players to Watch:
I heard that Seton-LaSalle has a very big freshman that may have an impact. Also Liam Buck for Ambridge is good.
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Trinity
Coach: Larry Myers (9th year)
Returning Starters:
6-3 senior opposite Joel Fowler
6-2 senior middle Jason Rumbaugh
6-1 senior outside A.J. Falvo
6-1 junior setter Trevor Filer
Season Outlook:
After qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in our history, we will need to replace our two best players from last year. The section will be difficult as always and the new players will need to rise to the occasion. If we play to our capabilities we should be in the thick of the playoff race again this year.
Section Favorite:
Ambridge is my pick for the section.
WPIAL Favorite:
Deer Lakes is my pick for WPIAL AA.