Ambridge
Coach: Jorge Bojorquez (3rd year)
Returning Starters:
5-5 senior setter Jessica Kingerski
5-6 senior outside hitter Emily Gruca
5-6 senior outside hitter Haylee Holman
Season Outlook:
I'm very optimistic for this season. We've made a lot of progress with the program and we're hoping to continue growing. This group of girls has a very special bond and I'm hoping we can accomplish a lot this season.
Section Favorite: Knoch
WPIAL Favorite: Knoch
Young Players to Watch:
I'm excited for Keaira Chambers' debut. Even though she's a junior, she's bringing a lot of fire to our program. Two sophomores
to look out for are opposite Angelena Bratton and defensive specialist Hannah Miller.
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Armstrong
Coach: Andrea Lasher (5th year at Armstrong, 7th overall)
Returning Starters:
5-11 senior middle hitter Taylor Claypoole
5-7 senior setter Elsie Williams
5-7 senior middle hitter Halle Hooks
5-10 senior opposite hitter Chloe Hankey
5-4 senior defensive specialist Emma Kilgore
Season Outlook:
We have a new team this year with a good outlook on the season. We have a lot of new young talent playing this year, and they will need and are willing to work hard to accomplish their goals they have set. I strongly feel this team will need to rely on each other for support and encouragement from one another and will do great things.
Section Favorite:
I feel Armstrong, Franklin Regional, and Kiski could possibly be strong contenders in our section.
Young Players to Watch:
Three sophomores from Armstrong will be expected to make an impact: outside hitter Jaide Dudek, libero/outside hitter Layne Miller, setter/defensive specialist Olivia Pawk, along with possibly one freshman, outside hitter Cassidy Adams.
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Belle Vernon
Coach: Jonathan Barr (1st year)
Returning Starters:
5-5 senior right side hitter Ashlyn Ayersman
5-2 senior libero Allie Brooks
5-5 senior outside hitter Amanda Fine
5-9 senior middle hitter Baileigh Horan
5-1 senior defensive specialist Maria Iacoboni
5-5 senior outside hitter Grace Kimmel
5-3 senior defensive specialist Elaina Serrao
5-5 junior setter Sarah Bury
5-8 junior middle hitter Mia Lubrani
Season Outlook:
This team has the potential to do extremely well. The girls are excited and have put in a ton of work. I see us being a surprise in the section.
Section Favorite: Typically TJ is the favorite in our section.
WPIAL Favorite:
Thomas Jefferson. They are extremely well coached and have the talent to make a run.
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Central Valley
Coach: Sean Cleary (15th year in the WPIAL, 1st at Central Valley, 27th overall)
Returning Starters:
5-8 senior outside hitter Hannah Engelman
6-2 senior middle hitter Cameron Flinchum
Season Outlook:
We have a great core group of athletic, intelligent athletes. Our returning upper classmen bring an enormous amount of leadership and knowledge and will be supported by a great group of young up and comers that will assist in our success. We look for every match to be competitive and have playoff implications within our section.
Section Favorite:
Not really sure, but we have a few of the top AAA teams in the WPIAL in our section.
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Chartiers Valley
Coach: Kevin Hummert (21st year, 1st at Chartiers Valley)
Returning Starters:
5-10 senior middle hitter Amaleen Malcolm
5-8 senior outside hitter/libero Riley Pawlosky
5-9 senior middle hitter Julia O'Neil
5-9 senior opposite senior Valerie O'Neill
Season Outlook:
Lost some very important starters but I believe this team possesses the talent to be a top ten, even top five in Class 3A.
Section Favorite:
I think West Allegheny, South Fayette, Montour, and Chartiers Valley all have a legit shot at section title. All are well-coached programs.
WPIAL Favorite:
Knoch without a doubt. There are a handful of other teams in Class 3A that may be able to compete with them, but over the past two years nobody has proven they can beat them in a best of five.
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Elizabeth Forward
Coach: Kameron Smith (5th year)
Returning Starters:
5-10 senior outside hitter Leah Fournier
6-2 junior middle hitter Kaitlin Fournier
6-0 senior middle hitter/opposite Abby Bickerton
5-5 senior libero/defensive specialist Mia Vuick
Season Outlook:
I think we will be a competitive team in our section and in Class 3A. We have a few big hitters coming back with a few girls we’re looking to step up for us.
Section Favorite:
As is the case every year, Thomas Jefferson has to be the favorite. I think Thomas Jefferson, Laurel Highlands, Elizabeth Forward will be the top 3 with the order to be determined.
WPIAL Favorite:
It's got to be Knoch. Returning champion with a ton of returning starters. They’re gonna be tough to beat.
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Franklin Regional
Coach: Mike Feorene (7th year at Franklin Regional, 12th overall)
Returning Starters:
5-5 senior setter Elizabeth Sarneso
5-8 senior setter Piper Toto
5-4 senior defensive specialist Kara Soles
5-11 senior middle hitter Hannah Flick
6-2 junior middle hitter Aly Kindelberger
5-6 junior libero Alexa Feorene
5-10 junior opposite Renee Baldy
5-6 junior serving specialist/opposite Ashley Feorene
Season Outlook:
We will be very competitive this year. We have plenty of experience and return a strong defensive minded team. Kindelberger will lead the way, attacking from all areas of the court. Sarneso and Toto run a fluid offense being fed by Feorene and Soles, our most experienced passers.
Section Favorite:
The top in our section this year will be Armstrong, Kiski Area and Franklin Regional. The section is up for grabs with any of the three being a front runner.
WPIAL Favorite: Knoch is the favorite to repeat.
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Greensburg Salem
Coach: Taylor Guido (4th year)
Returning Starters:
5-6 senior setter Megan O'Brien
5-3 senior outside hitter Shaleena Garner
Season Outlook:
After graduating 12 seniors, we are looking forward to the opportunity for rising seniors and juniors to gain varsity experience. Although we are younger we have confidence in our team's skills and court dynamics. We hope to finish in the top of section again like in years past and advance into playoffs.
Section Favorite: Franklin Regional
WPIAL Favorite: Knoch and Thomas Jefferson
Young Players to Watch:
Kiski Area's Lilliana Harding, 5-9 junior middle hitter; Franklin Regional's Aly Kindelberger, 6-1 sophomore middle hitter.
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Hampton
Coach: Michael Hansen (1st year)
Returning Starters:
5-7 senior right side hitter Katie Januck
5-11 senior middle hitter Claire Braun
5-7 senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Gillian Mulcahy.
5-8 senior defensive specialist Maggie Laffin
Season Outlook:
Very excited for this team. We have a number of talented athletes and they are working hard to get better. Our goal is to win our section.
Section Favorite:
It has to be 2018 WPIAL champion Knoch.
WPIAL Favorite:
I coached at Pine-Richland last year so not as familiar with the AAA teams, but I think Knoch is going to be good again.
Young Players to Watch:
I coached Kaili Doctor at Pine-Richland when she was in 7th grade. She is an incoming freshman there and may end-up being one of the best players to ever come out of Pine-Richland, not to mention she is a great kid.
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Indiana
Coach: Dana Kundla (2nd year)
Returning Starters:
5-6 senior Lexus Dadson
5-3 senior Catherine Bevevino
5-10 senior Liz Evanick
5-3 junior Megan Brocious
Season Outlook:
Young team with four sophomores playing both JV and varsity and a freshman setter.
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Kiski Area
Coach: Jodie McCartney (1st year)
Returning Starters:
senior outside hitter Lilliana Harding
senior setter Kamdyn Serakowski
senior outside hitter Violeta Kenzevich
Season Outlook:
We have a pretty solid line up. There are hitters on the court at all times, front row & back row. We lack varsity experience, but hope to gain it with the tournaments we are in early in the season. We hope to match and extend last years playoff run, and be section title contenders.
Section Favorite:
I would think Armstrong is the favorite to win the section. They graduated a large number of first team players, but will still have talent.
WPIAL Favorite: Knoch
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Knoch
Coach: Diane Geist (34th season)
Returning Starters:
5-10 senior middle hitter Kennedy Christy
6-1 senior outside hitter Hannah Rowe
5-9 senior outside hitter Skylar Burkett
5-10 senior opposite Morgan Frishkorn
6-0 junior middle hitter Kate McCarty
5-10 junior opposite Quinn Hughes
5-2 senior libero Kenzie Kerkan
Season Outlook:
We have all of our hitters back from last year, but our setter for the past 3 years graduated, so we have a lot of work to do to replace her. With a senior-dominated team, we hope to return to play-offs and enjoy our season.
Section Favorite: Hampton, Mars, Central Valley, Knoch.
WPIAL Favorite: Thomas Jefferson, Elizabeth Forward, Knoch, Montour.
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Laurel Highlands
Coach: Emily Konter (3rd year)
Returning Starters:
5-8 junior outside Hitter Alison Humberston
5-9 senior outside Hitter Emily Buwawa
6-0 sophmore middle hitter Bella Buwawa
5-5 junior setter Maddie Wheeler
5-6 senior defensive specialist Emma Bliss
5-10 senior opposite Maddie Richards
5-7 senior defensive specialist Olivia Glusica
Season Outlook:
Very strong and competitive team again this year. We have a good group of girls coming back from the team last year that will be able to compete at a high level.
Section Favorite:
Thomas Jefferson, Elizabeth Forward and Laurel Highlands are always the top three teams. The matches are very competitive between those schools.
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Mars
Coach: Tami Caraway (7th year)
Returning Starters:
5-9 senior outside hitter Emily Hayward
5-11 junior outside hitter Beth Long
5-8 junior setter Sydney Bucknum
6-0 sophomore outside hitter Tori Felton
6-2 sophomore middle hitter Ava Black
5-3 sophomore libero Yumeno Ikeda
Season Outlook:
We continue to be a young team but with solid senior leadership. We gained a great deal of experience last year and have worked hard over the summer. Our goal is to compete well against the best of our section and Class 3A.
Section Favorite:
Knoch is the favorite in our section.
WPIAL Favorite:
Knoch will be the favorite in the WPIAL, but Thomas Jefferson will also be contending for the title.
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Montour
Coach: Mike Marchionda (3rd year)
Returning Starters:
5-11 junior middle hitter Alex Leise
5-7 junior outside hitter Jenna Caliguiri
5-8 junior outside hitter Amber Collins
Season Outlook:
We will have a very young team with no seniors on the roster. But we have several young players who will make an impact at the setter and libero positions. We expect to be more athletic than last season at all positions and be more balanced offensively than last year when we relied on Rosina Esposito primarily for offensive production. We feel like we can compete for a playoff spot and will get better as the year goes on.
Section Favorite:
West Allegheny and South Fayette will be well coached as usual and have solid returning players. I’d consider them the co-favorites.
WPIAL Favorite:
Until someone can knock them off, Knoch is the favorite in my book.
Young Players to Watch:
Raegan Kadlecik and Kylie Barto will be two freshman setters for us and will be big parts of our team.
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Quaker Valley
Coach: Mike Vavrek (9th year at Quaker Valley, 15th overall)
Returning Starters:
5-8 junior outside hitter Kaylah Bemis
5-6 junior Libero Kayla Doherty
5-8 junior outside hitter Maddie Hess
5-11 junior middle hitter Camille Johnson
6-0 junior middle hitter Mcauley Kriebel
5-6 junior setter Nicole Shaheen
Season Outlook:
We expect to get better everyday and be competitive in our section.
Section Favorite:
I think West Allegheny returns the most from last year. Char Valley should be pretty good. South Fayette and Montour are also two tough teams.
WPIAL Favorite:
Knoch until someone beats them. Thomas Jefferson should be right there as well.
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South Fayette
Coach: Scott Sundgren (18th year)
Returning Starters:
5-10 senior opposite Lauren Saulle
5-4 senior defensive specialist Amanda Malosh
5-4 senior defensive specialist Nicolena Yanosick
5-7 senior outside hitter Alisa Gealy
5-6 junior outside hitter Lilah Speca
5-8 junior Setter Izzy Franjione
Season Outlook:
I think we'll be competitive since we are returning a good group of starters from last year who have worked hard in the off season to prepare for 2019.
Section Favorite:
With the hiring of Kevin Hummert at Chartiers Valley, we expect that they will be just as strong as they in previous years. We know that the program was built by an excellent coach, Jason Ferri, and expect their success to continue. Montour will be a good team as well, as Mike Marchionda will have them playing hard. I expect West Allegheny to continue being strong with powerful coaching coming from Yoko Nagao, and dedicated players. Trinity improves every year with kids that are hard working and I know Erin Helmkamp will have them ready. I know that Quaker Valley returns some strong players as well, and Mike Vavrek has them going each year. Overall, I feel we have a strong section just as we have had in the past. I cannot pick a favorite.
WPIAL Favorite: Knoch
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Thomas Jefferson
Coach: Ron Kelly (20th year at Thomas Jefferson, 31st overall)
Returning Starters:
5-7 senior setter Abby Chalovich
5-6 senior libero Tanner Patrick (outside hitter last year)
5-9 senior outside hitter Ashleigh Haines
6-1 senior middle hitter Tyler Turk
5-9 senior middle hitter Natasha Yanief
5-9 junior opposite Lillian Rockwell
Season Outlook:
This year I have high expectations for this group of players. We have all of our hitters and setter returning. We will be working on our first ball a lot to prepare for the season.
Section Favorite:
I think we might be considered the favorite in our section but Laurel Highlands and Elizabeth Forward return solid teams.
WPIAL Favorite:
Knoch is the favorite. There are 7 or 8 good teams that can win it on any given night.
Young Players to Watch:
I have a sophomore outside hitter Julia Palmer that will be starting varsity that will make an impact this year.
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Trinity
Coach: Erin Helmkamp (3rd year at Trinity, 8th overall)
Returning Starters:
5-7 senior outside hitter Taylor Staub
5-10 senior middle hitter Katie Havrila
5-7 junior outside hitter Emma Morgan
5-10 junior middle hitter Marin Williamson
5-8 junior opposite Bayleigh McCullough
5-7 junior setter/opposite Vivian Poach
5-6 junior setter Abigail Verner
5-5 senior defensive specialist Mackenzie Batson
Season Outlook:
The Hillers are looking to improve on last season and be more competitive in our section. We are returning the bulk of our starting line after graduating 2 seniors.
Section Favorite:
Chartiers Valley was the section champ last year, but South Fayette is always right there too.
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West Allegheny
Coach: Yoko Nagao (5th year at West Allegheny, 29th overall)
Returning Starters:
5-5 senior libero Elise Fitsioris
5-9 senior outside hitter Emma Hamm
6-2 senior middle hitter Anne Koester
5-6 senior setter Kortney White
5-10 senior middle hitter Allison Wojtaszek
5-3 senior defensive specialist Olivia Nicolson
5-9 junior outside hitters Jamie Collins
5-10 junior opposite Gabby Martelli
5-4 junior defensive specialist Allie Godwin
4-11 sophmore defensive specialist Olivia Pedockie
Season Outlook:
Everyone is healthy as we start the season. We hope it stays that way. We have two new assistant coaches, who we hope will bring heat to team as experienced winning players.
Section Favorite:
I think Trinity might give a big fight.
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West Mifflin
Coach: Matt Donovan: (3rd year at West Mifflin, 4th overall)
Returning Starters:
5-8 junior outside hitter Hope Macumber
5-9 junior middle hitter Gianna Baker
5-8 junior opposit Samantha Hohman
5-5 senior setter Reagan Rubright
Season Outlook:
After competing in a new section and losing 4 starters from a 2017 playoff season, we were unable to win a section game last season. This upcoming season, a combination of 4 returning starters, the development of some promising freshmen, the addition of junior softball player Alyssa Schmidt and freshman Riley Boehm (sister to Brittney Boehm who currently plays at St. Vincent) our program goal remains the same. We will prepare for each match to compete at a level to be in position to win each match. We have nowhere to go but up!