Ambridge
Coach: Glenn Freed (9th year)
Returning Starters:
5-9 senior setter/outside hitter David Brock
6-6 junior outside hitter Liam Buck
6-3 junior middle hitter Josh Meyer
Season Outlook:
We lost four starters to graduation so we are relying on several players to step up this season. There are seven seniors this year, including two players who have not played since junior high who should have an impact on the success of the season. Liam Buck, our returning All-State player, will be leading the way for our offense.
Section Favorite:
Many of the teams in our section lost several players to graduation, including Ambridge. However, I feel Ambridge is still the favorite in the section.
WPIAL Favorite:
Without seeing any teams compete this season yet, I believe the two favorites in the WPIAL AA would be Derry and Ambridge.
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Beaver C.C.
Coach: Christen Adels (11th year)
Returning Starters:
5-7 senior setter Jimmy McChesney
5-8 junior outside hitter Matthew McCaslin
Season Outlook:
We graduated most of our starters so we're looking to rebuild this year. We will be working through several different line-ups to see which six players work best together, and we may leverage a couple of freshmen as part of that line-up. Jimmy McChesney is our lone senior, so we will depend heavily on him to lead this team. Zach Barbato, a 6-1 junior outside hitter, missed most of the season last year with injury, so we hope that he is able to come back this year at 100 percent.
Section Favorite:
Ambridge
WPIAL Favorite:
Ambridge and Derry
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Montour
Coach: Colin Vitale (1st year)
Returning Starters:
6-0 senior outside hitter Casey Hulbert
5-10 senior setter Seth Mascellino
6-1 junior outside hitter Nate Donahue
6-2 junior middle blocker Derek Wassel
Season Outlook:
This is my first reintroduction to the WPIAL after playing in it myself. I'm pretty detached from understanding front-runners and favorites, but I'm always grateful for chances at rematches with Ambridge and Deer Lakes in particular. The Montour boys' program has a storied history of success, and I'm looking forward to much the same this season. We had an impressive graduation last year, so my varsity returners are limited. I'm eager for the impact players to find us on the court, but I know my returners want to be involved in, if not the center point of, that conversation.
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Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Coach: Mike McDonald (27th year at OLSH, 34 overall)
Returning Starters:
6-1 senior outside hitter Paul Belak
5-10 senior outside hitter Andrew Schnarre
5-10 junior setter Brock Saftner
6-1 senior middle hitter Ryan Parker
Season Outlook:
After a two-year absence from the playoffs, OLSH is looking to get back to familiar territory with a somewhat veteran line up that will also feature newcomers senior Sig Saftner, junior Jake Horigan, and freshman Colin Weigand. Junior Tanner Blose, junior Joey Rozman, sophomore Mike King, and freshman Jeremy Ciaramella will provide depth in the line up.
Section & WPIAL Favorite:
Ambridge will be the favorite in our section and a favorite in AA of the WPIAL
Players to Watch:
The big opposite (Nathan Zini) and the setter (Luke Manion) are 2 very good players for Seton LaSalle, Geary and DeLuca for Derry, Buck for Ambridge, and Menosky for Bishop Canevin.
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Trinity
Coach: Larry Myers (11th year)
Returning Starters:
6-3 senior middle hitter Jake Hancher
6-1 senior setter Trevor Filer
6-1 junior middle hitter Clayton Roberts
Season Outlook:
We only have four players returning from last year's team and 10 1st year players on the roster. Although there is a good core, it will be the development of the new players that will determine the outcome for this season.
Section Favorite:
Ambridge
WPIAL Favorite:
Derry