SV willing to go the distance

By Mike Kilroy Eagle Staff Writer

September 04, 2010 Last Updated: September 04, 2010 03:13 PM High School

Junior Cate Seman, right, returns to help the Seneca Valley girls volleyball team make another run through the WPIAL in 2010.

The Seneca Valley girls volleyball bus is going to log many miles this fall.

The Raiders, coming off a 17-4 season that ended in a five-set loss to Mount Lebanon in the WPIAL championship match, are seeking out the best competition they can find.

That will take the team to Garden Spot High School in Lancaster County for a tournament that features 20 squads that made the PIAA playoffs last season.

Another trip will take Seneca Valley to State College.

Toss in an always-tough section, with North Allegheny, Pine-Richland and Butler. and the Raiders will be tested.

"Our section is very competitive," said Seneca Valley coach Karen Martini. "Some of the best teams in the state play in our section."

Others play on the eastern side of the state. That's where the Raiders hope to test the statewide waters.

"We're going to know where we stand right away over Labor Day weekend," Martini said of the trip to Garden Spot Sept. 11. "I'm glad we have our first tournament there."

Butler coach Meghan Lucas also said the section offers an unusual challenge.

"People have said when you make it out of our section, the playoff games are easy," Lucas said.

• Coach: Meghan Lucas, eighth season• Last year: fourth in section• On the attack: Amanda Skidmore (senior), Christina Farmer (senior), Meghan Studds (senior), Alexis Krause (senior), MacKenzie O'Donnell (sophomore), Harley Skibicki (sophomore)• Setting up: Makenzie Huey (junior), Stephanie Girdano (senior), Calli Johns (senior)• Libero/defense: Hannah Williams (senior), Fallon Bachman (senior), Katelyn Wetzel (senior)• Outlook: The section is a killer, but Lucas believes her team could be a dark horse this season."We're going to be a scrappy, defensive team," she said. "Hopefully, we can knock a few people off."

• Coach: Karen Martini, fifth year• Last year: 17-4, WPIAL runner-up• On the attack: Emma Carter (junior), Stephanie Carney (junior), Abbey Trezciak (freshman), Angela Seman (freshman), Madison Hoffman (sophomore)• Setting up: Alex Karika (junior), Cate Seman (junior), Meghan Drambel (junior), Laura Thomas (junior)• Outlook: The Raiders will have some inexperience in key roles, but plenty of experience surrounding them."North Allegheny and Pine-Richland lost a lot, but these programs are well-respected," Martini said.

• Coach: Tom Phillips, 10th season• Last year: 20-1• On the attack: Laura Prunty (senior), Rachel Grubbs (senior), Ashley Sample (sophomore), Taylor Schrecongost (junior)• Setting up: Anna Christy (senior), Lynsey Gugino (junior), Jessica McFadden (junior)• Libero/defense: Kaiti Pullano (senior), Lauren Frazetta (sophomore)• Outlook: The Yellowjackets lost four key members from a program that posted a 52-3 record over the past three years.But Freeport might be better than ever. That's a scary thought for the rest of the section and the WPIAL."Honestly, defensively we're better than last year," Phillips said. "I don't think we're going to have any fall off."

• Coach: Diane Geist, 25th year• Last year: second in section• On the attack: Tori Lark (senior), Julia Kleinfelder (senior)• Setting up: Stephanie Gross (junior), Jessi Boldy (junior)• Outlook: The Knights are growing weary of second-place finishes in the section.Geist said her team is capable of wresting the section away from rival Mars."I think they just need to realize what they can accomplish, that they can be a pretty good team when they want to be," Geist said.

• Coach: Dan Mountain, fourth year• Last year: 19-6, WPIAL semifinalist, PIAA quarterfinalist• On the attack: Brooke Finney (senior), Heather Hodges (senior), Maura Randolph (junior), Abby Matusik (sophomore), Jaden Zimmer (sophomore), Gabby Dorsch (junior), Randi Francis (junior)• Setting up: Katie King (sophomore)• Libero: Lara Caraway (junior)• Outlook: The Planets made a run last season that didn't end until deep in the state playoffs.The team is younger, but may be just as talented."It will take a lot of work to return to the state playoffs," Mountain said. "But with the talent in the junior and sophomore classes, it may be possible."

• Coach: Greg Dugan, 11th year• Last year: 8-6• On the attack: Bre Northcott (junior), Megan McCune (senior), Carly Shearer (freshman), Stormie Hockenberry (junior)• Setting up: Marie Takach (junior)• Libero: Caitlin Jones (senior)• Outlook: Bre Northcott may be back at some point this season after suffering a knee injury in the spring.Megan McCune, who suffered a 30-foot fall at McConnells Mill State Park in May, should be at full strength when the season begins Saturday."We have a lot of experience, a lot of girls who play a lot of (junior Olympic volleyball)," Dugan said. "We're looking to improve on next season."

• Coach: Barry Divins, 16th season• Last year: 12-6• On the attack: Tina Lipps (senior), Ashley MacKinlay (senior), Sierra Smith (senior), Delani Priester (sophomore)• Setting up: Mariah Winchester (senior)• Outlook: The Damsels always seem to find a way to win in the rough Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference.Divins doesn't expect that to change against this season."We always look to be competitive and try to make the playoffs," Divins said.

• Coach: Tracy Rankin, second year• Last year: Losing season• On the attack: Mariah Clark (junior), Katie Brehm (junior), Brittany Wright (junior)• Setting up: Autumn Neff (senior), Shelby Bowser (junior)• Libero/defensive specialist: Ashley Brehm (sophomore), Kelsey Anderson (sophomore)• Outlook: Rankin is trying to pull a struggling program out of its doldrums.If togetherness translated into victories, Rankin says this Warriors' team would be hard to beat."They have a really good dynamic," Rankin said. "They communicate well. They can't wait to get to practice. In fact, I canceled practice (Thursday) and they were all disappointed."

• Coach: Doug Knox, fifth season• Last year: 13-5• On the attack: Meghan Cratty (senior), Kelsey Boocks (sophomore), Tricia Kerlin (junior), Alexis Linamen (sophomore)• Setting up: Meredith Snyder (sophomore), Emily Quaill (sophomore)• Libero: Abby Wetzel (sophomore)• Outlook: What the Falcons lack in varsity experience is made up for by a roster full of players who have seen their fair share of Junior Olympic matches."They have some experience," Knox said. "Everyone sees five sophomores in our starting lineup, but they are pretty good players."

• Coach: Julie Bear, first season• Last year: 3-8• On the attack: Brooke Hiles (senior), Ally Olkowski (junior), Brittany Lessner (senior), Morgan McElravy (senior), Hillary Stitt (senior)• Setting up: Shirley Trimbur (senior)• Libero: Ceanca Everetts (senior), Kayla Reckner (senior), Katie McConnell (senior), Lauren Oddo (senior)• Outlook: The Gremlins are loaded with seniors. WIll that equal wins? Bear certainly hopes so."We hope that with their experience, we will have a successful season," Bear said.