Payton Fisher exemplifies Seneca Valley girls volleyball’s chance to experiment in sweep of Butler
JACKSON TWP — Despite having her position shifted during a 3-0 girls volleyball win over Butler on Tuesday night, Payton Fisher was right at home.
“We talked about it before the game, just, ‘Everybody do your job tonight,’” Seneca Valley head coach Brett Poirier said after his team won by scores of 25-10, 25-13 and 25-17 in its home gym. “Nobody really shined, but everybody pulled their weight, and I think we play our best when that happens.”
Normally, Fisher, a senior, is the Raiders’ starting right side hitter.
“She got a lot of reps,” Poirier said. “We used her a lot tonight. She was a left side (hitter tonight), but she mainly plays right for me, so tonight we got to move her around to get a lot more reps and play some back row.”
Fisher, who plays from the left side on the club scene — which gave her some comfort at the position — finished with nine kills. Seneca Valley (8-3, 3-1 Section 1-6A) was able to switch girls in and out in the victory over the Golden Tornado (0-10, 0-3), who were missing senior outside hitter Raina Lewandowski.
“I knew they were hurting,” Poirier said. “I tried to get everybody in and spread the wealth. It went well.”
With senior Cameron Mueller and sophomore Addison Corbett also at outside hitter, Fisher took on what was needed. Corbett led the team with 10 kills, while Mueller added another nine.
Senior setter Sheridan Gallagher closed out with 20 assists.
“We have an all around good team and every position is strong,” Fisher said.
The Raiders have rebounded after back-to-back losses to Pine-Richland and North Allegheny, winning two in a row since then.
“I feel like we learned that we can still get a win after our losses,” Fisher said. “We can still beat them, but we just have to work for it harder.”
Butler, meanwhile, has dropped 12 straight sets over its past four losses.
McCance hopes to get Lewandowski, who was seen wearing a boot on her foot, back on the court. The standout outside hitter went down during warmups before the Golden Tornado’s home loss to Pine-Richland last week, but McCance thinks it’s possible she can return next week.
Two freshmen — Sophia Slaugenhoup and Harley Payne — filled the outside hitter roles during the third set Tuesday night.
“I’m hoping that we can build up the underclassmen and start building for — if this season doesn't take a turn for the better — next season,” McCance said.
Butler has 13 freshmen on its JV team. McCance would like to see that group “light a spark” within the program.
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Seneca Valley's Sheridan Gallagher (13) celebrates with teammates after a point scored against Butler in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley players celebrate after a point scored against Butler in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Cameron Mueller (7) tips the ball over to Butler in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Kennedy Hummert (1) saves a ball against Butler in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Sheridan Gallagher (13) sets the ball against Butler in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Sofie Rentz (9) saves a ball against Butler in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Payton Fisher (5) tries the block the ball down on Butler’s Emerson McFarrah (10) in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley players celebrate after a point scored against Butler in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
