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** Ambridge ** Coach: Jorge Bojorkez (2nd year) Returning Starters: 5-3 senior libero Emma Phillips 5-8 senior opposite hitter Alex Bupp 5-10 senior middle hitter Kim Kuzma 5-6 junior outside hitter Emily Gruca 5-9 senior middle hitter Katie Sivewright Season Outlook: I have a lot of passionate volleyball players this year and they are eager to make a footprint this season. I'm very optimistic for the team because they continue showing me how versatile they can be on the court. Section Favorite: We're new in this section so I have no idea. I'm not too concern with that though. We just want to compete for that title. WPIAL Favorite: I think a lot of teams lost a good amount of talent so I'm excited to see how the WPIAL unfolds. I don't currently see a favorite though. Young Players to Watch: These two girls put a lot of work in the off-season and I'm excited to see what impact they have this year: 5-6 junior outside hitter Emily Gruca, 5-5 junior setter Jessica Kingerski. --------------------------------------- ** Armstrong ** Coach: Andrea Lasher (4th year at Armstrong, 6th overall) Returning Starters: 5-7 senior outside hitter Loryn Bowser 5-9 senior outside hitter Emma Halutick 5-5 senior libero Danielle Kunst 5-10 senior Middle hitter Sophia Duncan Season Outlook: Our team this year is a new team and even though we now are playing in Class 3A classification this year, our expectations of our athletes still remain the same. We will continue to work hard and play each match/set one at a time and continue to progress and see what happens for our season. Section Favorite: I have no idea, since this is the first year for us playing in our section. I will have to wait and see what these teams are like. WPIAL Favorite: Again, I don't know, but since we have been in the WPIAL playoffs the last 3 years for AAA/AAAA, I'm hoping we are one of the favorites this year. --------------------------------------- ** Blackhawk** Coach: Dan Muir (3rd year) Returning Starters: 5-10 senior outside hitter Kayli Newman 5-5 senior libero Madison Duschek 5-10 middle hitter Madison Freshcorn Season Outlook: Team is very young. They play hard together and expect to surprise some teams Section Favorite: Knoch WPIAL Favorite: Knoch --------------------------------------- ** Central Valley** Coach: Kevin Hummert (20 years) Returning Starters: 5-10 Senior middle hitter Tatum LeDonne 5-6 Senior outside hitter Kelsey Dickinson 5-9 Senior opposite Dana Bartoletta 5-5 Senior defensive specialist/libero Samantha Yetsick 5-8 Senior setter Kaitlyn Lyons 5-10 Junior middle hitter Cameron Flinchum Season Outlook: Did very well in summer leagues and two team camps. We finished 2nd out of 26 teams at the Ft Lebeouf Team Camp that just finished, so that leads me to believe we have a high ceiling of potential, but still lots of room for growth and improvement, individually and collectively. Section Favorite: Our section is the toughest in my opinion with Knoch, the defending PIAA and WPIAL champ, Mars, and Hampton being very strong programs. And add into the mix competitive programs such as Ambridge and Blackhawk, our section provides a challenge almost every game night. At the end of the year though I believe it will come down to Knoch, Mars, Hampton, and Central Valley. WPIAL Favorite: I would say any of our section's top 4, Armstrong, Franklin Regional, Thomas Jefferson, Chartiers Valley, South Fayette, Montour, and West Allegheny all could end up having a legit shot. --------------------------------------- ** Chartiers Valley ** Coach: Jason Ferri (5th at CV, 20th overall) Returning Starters: 5-4 senior opposite/defensive specialist Abbigale Alauzen 5-5 senior defensive specialist Victoria Ferri 5-10 senior middle hitter Laney Friburger 5-10 senior setter Ashlynn Gulakowski 5-9 senior outside hitter Mara Hartoyo 5-9 junior outside hitter Amaleen Malcolm 5-9 junior middle hitter Julia O’Neill 5-8 junior opposite Valarie O’Neill 5-4 junior defensive specialist Riley Pawlosky Season Outlook: With a very experienced group. We expect to be very competitive. Section Favorite: We expect our section to be very tough with traditional powers Montour, West Allegheny, and South Fayette, as well as a few good teams moving into the section including Quaker Valley. With a lot of good teams, we expect very good volleyball night in and night out. We think the section will be highly contested. WPIAL Favorite: We also think the WPIAL will be highly contested. --------------------------------------- ** Elizabeth Forward ** Coach: Kameron Smith (4th at EF, 7th overall) Returning Starters: 5-7 senior setter Liane Mooney 5-5 senior defensive specialist Sara Beatty 5-10 senior right side/outside hitter Lexa Martell 5-1 senior defensive specialist Gracie Elster 5-4 senior defensive specialist Taylor Ludwick 5-7 senior outside hitter Paige Dukic 5-9 junior outside hitter Leah Fournier Season Outlook: We have a good portion of our starting line up back. One of our key players from last year will be out at the beginning of the season, but may return by the end. I am looking for a couple of new faces on varsity to step up and contribute this year. I am definitely looking to be very competitive in our section and make playoffs for another year. Section Favorite: I think TJ is always the favorite. Laurel Highlands has a number of girls who have been starting varsity for a few years now. WPIAL Favorite: With graduation, everything always changes. But I expect the usual teams to be on top of the WPIAL. Young Players to Watch: I have a sophomore, 6-1 Kaitlin Fournier, who has the size and strength to make a splash at middle hitter. --------------------------------------- ** Franklin Regional ** Coach: Mike Feorene (14th season overall) Returning Starters: 5-9 senior outside hitter Paige Feorene 5-9 senior opposite Caitlyn Frantz 5-8 senior outside hitter Rachel Reppermund 5-11 junior hitter Hannah Flick 5-6 junior setter Elizabeth Sarneso 5-4 senior libero Grace Painter 5-9 senior outside hitter Maddie Breitkreutz Season Outlook: Franklin Regional dropped to triple A this year and enter section 1. Franklin brings back everyone except Julia Petrucci, a four year starter and setter. With the returning starters, joins 6-2 sophmore middle hitter Aly Kindleberger and 5-8 junior setter Piper Toto. We have depth at all positions and should be very competitive. Section Favorite: A tough section with last year's Class 4A runner-up Armstrong as the favorite. --------------------------------------- ** Greensburg Salem ** Coach: Taylor Guido (3rd year) Returning Starters: 5-3 senior outside hitter Mya Berger 5-2 senior defensive specialist Lizzy Wygonik 5-4 senior setter/defensive specialist Kara Uhlinger 5-7 senior middle hitter Malia Anderson 5-6 senior middle hitter Morgan O'Leary 5-2 senior defensive specialist Allie Zahorchak 5-9 senior outside hitter Erica Steele Season Outlook: Last year, we finished 9-1 in our section, sharing the section title with Indiana and advancing into the first round of playoffs. We have 13 seniors, 4 juniors, 15 sophomores and 4 freshmen that will be contributing to our team this year so there is an awesome blend of game knowledge, skill, and passion for the game. We are excited to start this season in the new section with some old teams from our previous section and some new teams - we aim to finish toward the top of our section and advance in to playoffs just like the past two years. Section Favorite: Armstrong WPIAL Favorite: Knoch --------------------------------------- ** Hampton ** Coach: Matt Robertson (6th season) Returning Starters: 5-9 Senior Setter Nikita Corbelli 5-7 Senior defensive specialist Melinda Maers 6-5 Senior MB Anastasia Russ 5-7 Junior OPP Katie Januck Season Outlook: After losing a starting defensive specialist and two outside hitters from last years team, we are looking to reload this year with a mix of both upper and underclassmen. The group that we will have this year might be the most versatile group in terms of being able to play different positions. With the success that the program has seen the girls are fighting to get an opportunity to prove they deserve to be out on the court in hopes for another great year. Section Favorite: Knoch, Central Valley WPIAL Favorite: Knoch, Central Valley --------------------------------------- ** Indiana ** Coach: Dana Kundla (1st year) Returning Starters: 5-7 Setter Kaitlyn Stossel 5-7 outside hitter Kira Cunningham 5-2 libero Emily Wright Season Outlook: This is my first season as head volleyball coach at Indiana. I have three returning starters. We are looking forward to the season. --------------------------------------- ** Kiski Area ** Coach: Paul Tomlinson (4th year) Returning Starters: 6-0 senior middle hitter Dara Zelonka 5-11 senior middle hitter Kayla Zelonka 5-8 senior setter/opposite Cassie Shoupe 5-7 senior outside hitter Ally Russell 5-9 junior middle hitter Lilliana Harding 5-9 junior setter/opposite Kamdyn Serakowski 5-9 junior outside hitter Violeta Kenzevich Season Outlook: I think if we can stay healthy, we could raise some eyebrows this season. The core of last year's playoff team is still here and we have depth at every position. Section Favorite: Most likely Armstrong. WPIAL Favorite: Knoch, Central Valley and Armstrong would be considered favorites. --------------------------------------- ** Knoch ** Coach: Diane Geist (33rd year) Returning Starters: 5-6 senior setter Kerrie Fitzpatrick 5-10 junior middle hitter Kennedy Christy 6-1 junior outside hitter Hannah Rowe Season Outlook: With the loss of six seniors from last year’s team, and only one senior returning, we will be working on short-term goals, such as ball control and consistent serving and attacking. We have an athletic group with a lot of potential for success. Section Favorite: Too soon to tell. Central Valley, Hampton, Knoch and Mars will contend. WPIAL Favorite: Also too early to tell. Armstrong has moved down to AAA, so they are a team to watch. Young Players to Watch: Mars has some good young players. --------------------------------------- ** Mars ** Coach: Tami Caraway (6th year) Returning Starters: 5-9 senior outside hitter Alayna Chizmar 5-9 junior opposite Emily Hayward 5-11 sophomore outside hitter Beth Long Season Outlook: After graduating two large classes in as many years we are a very young team. The players have been working hard over the summer and throughout the preseason. It will be exciting to see how well they can improve and compete from the beginning of the season to the end. Section Favorite: Defending state champion Knoch should be considered the favorite in our section but Central Valley has a very seasoned team that will push for a section title. WPIAL Favorite: New Class 3A addition Armstrong will be a favorite along with Knoch and Central Valley. --------------------------------------- ** McKeesport ** Coach: Jazzmine Boyd (1st year) Returning Starters: 5-4 senior outside hitter Elisabeth Dansak 5-4 senior outside hitter Kayla Segady 5-3 junior Setter Hailey Morgart 5-7 junior middle hitter Brianna Evans 5-3 junior libero Mila Hoover 5-5 junior setter Lindsey Lewis Season Outlook: This is my first year as the head coach for McKeesport. I am originally from West Virginia, but have lived in the McKeesport area for two years. The girls have been working hard all summer. We’ve kind of started all over this year, a fresh start. They’ve been in the weight room all summer and conditioning so they are much stronger than past years. We’ve worked hard on fundamentals, and I expect great things from them this year. The girls are full of great potential. Section Favorite: I’m new to this conference but I know Greensburg Salem is the team to beat and we look forward to seeing them September 6th. Young Players to Watch: I have a 5-6 right side freshman - Deja Newby - who I expect great things from. She’s been working hard all summer and moving her way up the ranks everyday. I expect to start varsity. --------------------------------------- ** Montour ** Coach: Mike Marchionda (2nd year) Returning Starters: 6-0 senior outside hitter Rosina Esposito 5-11 sophomore middle hitter Alex Leise Season Outlook: We return in my opinion the best player in AAA in Rosina Esposito so she will anchor and help lead a young group of new varsity players. We have a very good sophomore in Alex Leise in the middle and a nice surprise in sophomore outside hitter. Amber Collins. She moved here in the spring and she’s a very athletic addition to our lineup. Section Favorite: I’d say that Chartiers Valley is the team to watch. Well coached and they have a great setter and outside hitter. WPIAL Favorite: Until someone beats Knoch they are my favorite. --------------------------------------- ** Quaker Valley ** Coach: Mike Vavrek (8th at Quaker Valley, 14 overall) Returning Starters: 5-10 senior setter Josephine Parsons 5-10 senior middle hitter Sydnie Sinewe 5-2 senior defensive specialist Erin Mangan Season Outlook: We will be a very young an inexperienced varsity team. Outlook is to stay healthy, improve everyday, and maximize our potential as a team. Section Favorite: I would say South Fayette and Chartiers Valley would be the section favorites, with West Allegheny and Montour right behind them. WPIAL Favorite: I think our section is maybe the toughest in AAA, so those four teams in addition to defending WPIAL champion Knoch, Thomas Jefferson, Central Valley, and Armstrong which moved down from AAAA should be very tough. --------------------------------------- ** Ringgold ** Coach: Adam Thomas (1st year) Returning Starters: senior libero/defensive specialist Samantha Garrick Season Outlook: We have a very young team with an extremely high ceiling. We are looking to take the season one game at a time and compete for the section. Section Favorite: We are currently in a new realigned section. I'm sure there are favorites amongst other communities, but we will have to wait for the end of the season to show who they are. WPIAL Favorite: Any team that made to the WPIAL is absolutely a favorite. They have the experience and understand the energy and drive that is needed to get back to that spot. Young Players to Watch: If these girls play hard and carry on their hunger for a strong season, then I'd expect some of my players to make an impact in the WPIAL. --------------------------------------- ** South Fayette ** Coach: Scott Sundgren (17th year) Returning Starters: 5-6 sophomore outside hitter Lilah Speca 5-7 senior setter Aubrey Hetland 5-5 junior outside hitter Alisa Gealey 5-7 junior opposite Lauren Saulle 5-5 junior defensive specialist Amanda Malosh 5-4 junior defensive specialist Nicolena Yanosick 5-6 senior outside hitter Olivia Goerdt 5-8 senior middle hitter Lexi Yates Section Favorite: I really like Jason Ferri over at Chartiers Valley. He's a super guy. I think Char Valley will be solid this year. I expect West Allegheny and Montour to field good teams like always. I think Quaker Valley is a sleeper and Trinity is well coached. I don't know anything about Obama or West Mifflin. WPIAL Favorite: Probably Knoch and Central Valley. Young Players to Watch: Sarah White on Seneca Valley is amazing. --------------------------------------- ** Thomas Jefferson ** Coach: Ron Kelly (20th year at TJ, 30th overall) Returning Starters: 5-6 senior libero Sydney Moran 5-2 senior defensive specialist Julia Micklo 5-2 senior defensive specialist Julia Fiedor 5-6 junior outside hitter Tanner Patrick 6-1 junior middle hitter Tyler Turk 5-9 junior middle hitter Natasha Yanief Season Outlook: This years TJ squad is a well-rounded team. We should be excellent first ball team. Our serve receive and defense will be very good with the return of all our primary passers. With both middle hitters returning it will give us solid net play. We have a new setter replacing a 3-year starter but she will be capable of handling the setting duties. I am very excited about this team. Section Favorite: Right now I believe we are the team to beat. That being said Laurel Highland and Elizabeth Forward both will have very good teams. WPIAL Favorite: I do not believe that there is a favorite to win it all but there are a number of strong teams this year. Armstrong, Knoch, Central Valley, Montour and Thomas Jefferson would be my top 5 with the regular powers lurking South Fayette, West Allegheny, Chartiers Valley, Hampton, and Elizabeth Forward. Class 3A should be a very interesting division this year. Young Players to Watch: I have a freshman Julia Palmer that might push for playing time this year for TJ. --------------------------------------- ** West Mifflin ** Coach: Matt Donovan (2nd at West Mifflin, 5th overall) Returning Starters: 5-11 senior middle hitter Paige Matey 5-6 senior outside hitter Maggie Dzuka 5-5 junior setter Reagan Rubright Season Outlook: We are a very young team moving into a tough section this season. Our goal is to continue to be positive and approach every match as a learning experience in hopes of improvement in the second half of section play. We want to build confidence, have fun and earn the respect of all of our section opponents. Section Favorite: West Allegheny, Montour, South Fayette WPIAL Favorite: In my mind, all champions are champions until officially dethroned. --------------------------------------- ** Woodland Hills ** Coach: Kaitlin McCafferty (2nd year) Returning Starters: 5-8 junior outside hitter Claire Yezovich 5-6 junior libero Bailey McDonough 5-7 sophomore setter Adrianna Sacramento 5-10 junior middle hitter Kaitlyn Green 5-8 sophomore middle hitter Laney Jessel --------------------------------------- ** Yough ** Coach: Frank German (13th year) Returning Starters: 5-9 senior middle hitter Nicole Duncan 5-5 senior libero Katelyn Chilzer 5-11 junior middle hitter Julia Milcoff 5-6 junior outside hitter Brooke Jones 5-7 junior setter Emma Duncan 5-7 junior outside hitter Sami Duncan Season Outlook: Our goal is the make the playoffs like we did last year. Section Favorite: Thomas Jefferson and Elizabeth Forward are the favorites, although I hear Laurel Highlands will be very good as well. |