Sep 5, 2006 By Jim Downey 6 min read

The Geibel Catholic volleyball team had been on the WPIAL playoff merry-go-round many times before, but the Lady Gators were finally able to grab the brass ring in 2005 with the program’s first WPIAL title when they defeated North Catholic, 3-0. The remarkable ride ended in the PIAA Class A Championship pool play.

Waynesburg Central begins Section 4-AA action today when the Lady Raiders host Carlynton. Section action also starts in 5-AA, 5-A and 6-A today.

The Lady Gators lost Caitlin Solan, an all-state performer, Abbie Renze, team leader from the libero position, and big hitters Katelyn Schuessler and Kaylee Robinson to graduation, but the cupboards aren’t bare for coach Rick Watkins.

“We have Chelsey Kreinbrook and Natalie Hozak back, and they were both all-state last year,” said Watkins. “We will not be as good defensively or passing because of the losses in graduation, especially Abbie at the libero.

“We’ve tried everybody we have in those positions. We’re getting younger players involved. They don’t have the varsity experience and confidence.”

The tables have turned a bit for the Lady Gators as they look to successfully defend their title.

“I think the difference (as defending champions) is we’re getting a little more respect than we deserve,” said Watkins. “In the past, we didn’t get as much respect as we should.

“Defending the title will be difficult because they reclassified last year and some good Class AA teams moved down. I know Seton-LaSalle has almost its whole team back. I think they’ll be the team to beat. We’ll have time to get the kids ready. We’ll be okay by October.”

Section 6-A has changed little, altered just a bit with Avella replacing Duquesne. Watkins sees Frazier and Jefferson-Morgan making another playoff push.

“Frazier lost some key players. Jefferson-Morgan could be a serious contender, but won’t have the experience.”

Mandy Hartman is 8-for-8 as far as making the WPIAL playoffs, and the Lady Commodores should once again be in the mix for one of the three playoff berths. Frazier finished 10-5 last year, losing in the first round of the WPIAL Class A playoffs to Leechburg.

Senior letterwinners Sara Zebley, Megan Leary, Marissa Pasquale and Rachel Hudik will provide a solid defensive base for Frazier with experienced juniors Katey Oldham, Christina Bitonti and Sarah Berlovich a strong trio of hitters.

Jefferson-Morgan also advanced to the WPIAL playoffs last year, losing to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the first round. OLSH finished fourth in the WPIAL. Carmichaels, Mapletown and West Greene fill out the Section 6-A roster.

California has a new head coach in Cathy Urbansmith and she has spent the preseason getting the Lady Trojans ready for tonight’s match against Section 5-A rival Beth-Center.

“I’ve restructured the program, the system of plays and trying to give them more of a mental game,” explained Urbansmith.

The playmaker will be setter Tara Prentice and she will be passing to outside hitters Amanda Bilitski and Kellie Porter and middle hitter Tory Bennett.

“We have a balanced attack from inside or outside,” said Urbansmith, who sees Bishop Canevin, new to the section, and Bentworth along with Beth-Center as playoff contenders. Bentworth and Fort Cherry along with Beth-Center represented the section in the playoffs last year.

“We’re looking for improvement as the year goes along. I have seen improvement already.”

Connellsville coach Natalie Lilley lost a lot of defense at the libero with the graduation of Stacey Domer to Slippery Rock University, but some talent remains as the Lady Falcons, the 2006 FCCA champions, look to earn a consecutive Section 2-AAA playoff berth.

“Alyssa Dye and Jessica Striner have both been playing at libero,” said Lilley. “Hitting is our strength and we are much improved from last year.”

Lilley will rely on outside hitters Jessica Cole and Brandi Leighty with Megan Saylor setting up the offense.

“It all starts with passing. We need to be able to serve, receive and pass.”

With Trinity and Canon-McMillan recognized as the top playoff contenders, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown, new to the section, will fight Connellsville for the third and final berth.

For the Fillies to have a chance, assistant coach Jacquie Kazmierczak said the younger players would have to fill the void.

“We have to have the underclassmen step up and take a little bigger role. We have more depth on the bench this year,” said Kazmierczak. “Our defense needs to step up and our communication on the court needs to improve.”

One of the younger players to step up will be sophomore setter Jessica Zavatchen.

“The one weakness we have is if we lose her. She’s tough to replace,” said Kazmierczak.

Uniontown has a new coach in Donovan Wright. A standout basketball player for the Red Raiders, he wanted an opportunity to coach and found the chance in volleyball.

“I’ve been playing the past two years. In any sport, you teach the fundamentals and work on it,” said Wright, who has placed the offense into the hands of setters Andi Giachetti and Kassi Stanbaugh. “Once they have those, everything falls into place.”

As for the season outlook, Wright said, “I tell them we’re one win away from the playoffs. One win or loss will make the difference.”

Albert Gallatin’s Cassandra Crilly is on the search for more team height in her second year as coach.

“It’s coming along. Half the effort is there, but the other ones get down fast,” said Crilly. “We try to work with what we have. They need to learn to have a better energy level.”

Although lacking in overall height, Crilly has a natural athlete in sophomore middle hitter Jade Turner and, according to Crilly, senior setter Sherelle King “has a good vertical jump.” Anna Marie Spak provides solid defense.

Brownsville’s Ginger D’Amico enters her fourth year with the Lady Falcons so this group of seniors is hers. The Lady Falcons play in Section 5-AA with Belle Vernon and Southmoreland, among others.

“Nadia Columbia, Tiera Ramsey, Jen Sheridan, Bethany Jurczak and Maggie Grahek started with me,” said D’Amico. “They all start and they all work hard. They can see the improvement. If they work hard, we can maybe finish in second place.”

Ramsey is the team’s best outside hitter with the offense revolving around her. Jen and Raelene Sheridan, along with Grahek, will share time as setters.

Southmoreland made the playoffs out of the section last year, but the Lady Scots’ Elizabeth Zgorecki will look to a group of incoming players to fill the voids left by graduation.

She will rely heavily on seniors Anna Coffman, Chelsea Cerini, Ariel Byers and Katie Lash to lead the Lady Scots back to the playoffs.