Young SV looks to senior leaders

By DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writer

August 28, 2008 Last Updated: August 28, 2008 03:23 PM High School

After being hit hard by graduation losses, Seneca Valley is counting on Meghan Franz, right, and Maggie Gillooly the help the Raiders return to the WPIAL playoffs.

Much was lost from the Seneca Valley High girls volleyball team that won Section 3-AAA last season with an 11-1 record.

But the way third-year coach Karen Martini sees it, there is much to be gained this year: experience.

Gone are middle hitters Justine Carrow (Edinboro University) and Jen Boyd (Ball State), setter Lauren Balmert (Fairfield, Conn.) and defensive specialist Emily Hannon from the 2007 squad that finished 16-4 overall and made it to the WPIAL semifinals before losing to Upper St. Clair.

"We lost a lot," said Martini. "Two of last year's seniors went Division I, one went Division II and the other could've gone D-II, but decided to focus just on her studies.

"Making the playoffs would make this a successful season for us."

Martini will be counting on her seniors to lead an otherwise young team. Those players include middle hitter Meghan Franz, outside hitter Jillian Galloway and libero Maggie Gillooly, among others.

"The returning players will push success on the younger ones," Martini said. "It will come down to whether or not the young players are up for the pressure."

SV's Section 3 opponents include New Castle, Butler, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Oakland Catholic and North Hills.

The Raiders' first section date is Tuesday, when they host New Castle.

Following are preview capsules for the 11 area high school girls volleyball teams.

A-C ValleyCoach: Doug Knox, third season2007 record: The Falcons went 9-9 and advanced to the second round of the District 9 Class A playoffsTop returning players: senior outside hitters Shelbi Cervenec and Brandy Jackson, senior middle hitter Karly Kaufman, senior setter Kelli Davis, senior libero Lindsay Milford, senior right-side hitter/setter Jessica Kriley, junior outside hitters Erika Rothen and Lauren Snyder, junior setter Katie Quaill, junior middle hitter Samantha Kerlin, junior right-side hitter/setter Erin Larimore and sophomore middle hitter Meghan CrattyOutlook: "We've got a lot of depth with six seniors and five juniors," said Knox. "We made the playoffs last year and there's no reason why we shouldn't get there again."

ButlerCoach: Meghan Lucas, sixth season2007 record: The Golden Tornado went 9-6 overall, 6-6 in section playTop returning players: senior middle hitter/setter Becky Smith, senior libero Stephanie Mock, senior outside hitter Rachel Doutt, junior setter Amanda Huey, junior middle hitter Abbie Druschel and junior outside hitter Brynn MaxwellOutlook: "We should qualify for the playoffs this year," said Lucas. "And we could make a run at the section, though it's going to be tough."

FreeportCoach: Tom Phillips, eighth season2007 record: The Yellowjackets went 17-1 and lost in the WPIAL Class AA quarterfinalsTop returning players: senior middle hitter Amanda Zahumensky, junior outside hitters Carlie Bieranowski and Alyssa Gigliotti, junior setter Madison RottoOutlook: "Our goal is to win the section. We've won it three straight years," said Phillips.

Grove CityCoach: Shawnee Denbow, 18th season2007 record: The Eagles finished 20-3 overall, while finishing runners-up in District 10 Class AA and getting to the PIAA quarterfinalsTop returning players: senior right-side hitter Elise Sykola, senior middle hitter Elizabeth Ulrich, junior outside hitter Phylicia King, junior setter Carly Forese, junior libero Sammi Bell and sophomore middle hitter Maddie ShepherdOutlook: "I don't have many returning stars, but the girls want to be as good as last year," said Denbow.

Karns CityCoach: Halee Schnur, first season2007 record: The Gremlins finished above .500 and made the District 9 playoffsTop returning players: senior middle hitter Ashley Campbell, senior setter Laura Isacco, junior outside hitters Kara Sypulski and Sarah Fiscus, junior middle hitter Maureen McGreevy, junior libero Jenny Pickett, sophomore outside hitter/setter Ceanca Everetts and sophomore middle hitter Brooke HilesOutlook: "We are hoping to improve on our record and I really think we can contend for the District 9 title," said Schnur, who was an assistant coach at KC last season. "Last year, we just lacked some confidence."

KnochCoach: Diane Geist, 22nd season2007 record: The Knights finished 15-2 and lost in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs after tying for the section's titleTop returning players: senior middle hitter Sara Montgomery and senior outside hitters Jamie Antoszyk and Paige MacadaegOutlook: "We graduated 12 seniors, so there are pretty big shoes to fill," said Geist. But the attitude is good and we hope to improve every game."

MarsCoach: Dan Mountain, second season2007 record: Mars went 19-3, tied for the section's title and made the WPIAL Class AA quarterfinalsTop returning players: senior outside hitters Emily Grice and Erin Jeuther, senior middle hitter Maureen Cress, senior libero Jessica Donofrio and junior setters Anne Beitler and Madie HudacOutlook: "Our two junior setters (Anne Beitler and Madie Hudac) don't have much varsity experience, but they should play at a high level," said Mountain.

MoniteauCoach: Anna Papania, third season2007 record: The Warriors finished below .500Top returning players: senior outside hitters Nadine Staab, Amber Neff and Chelsea Fay, senior middle hitters Nicole Campbell and Billie Jo Brehm, junior middle hitter Kathleen Harding and junior setter Jaryn BeattyOutlook: "The girls really have it together," said Papania. "We've got a whole new rotation and they're all playing well."

Seneca ValleyCoach: Karen Martini, third season2007 record: The Raiders went 16-4 overall, won the section and made it to the WPIAL Class AAA semifinalsTop returning players: senior middle hitter Meghan Franz, senior outside hitter Jillian Galloway and senior libero Maggie GilloolyOutlook: "The returning players will push success on the younger ones," said Martini. "It will come down to whether or not the young players are up for the pressure."

Slippery RockCoach: Greg Dugan, ninth season2007 record: The Rockets were above .500Top returning players: senior outside hitters Jess Prelec and Hillary Pendel and senior middle hitter Michelle BeaumontOutlook: "As long as the girls keep working hard, we've got a good chance of making the playoffs," Dugan said. "There's no one team standing above everybody else. It's wide open."

UnionCoach: Barry Divins, 14th season2007 record: The Damsels went 10-9 overall, including a trip to the District 9 Class A playoffsTop returning players: senior libero Melissa Shook, junior middle hitter Lepha Logue, sophomore middle hitter Tina Lipps and sophomore setter Mariah WinchesterOutlook: "We want to get back to the playoffs and challenge for the conference title," said Divins.