Section title is on the line for Beaver, Avonworth

Tri-State Sports & News Service

Beaver and Avonworth were top-three seeds in last year’s WPIAL Class 2A girls volleyball bracket. Both teams advanced to the semifinals, but were beaten by champion Freeport.

Avonworth, the No. 3 seed, took Freeport to five sets in the semifinals, but came up short. Beaver, the No. 1 seed, faced the Yellowjackets in the title match and was defeated, 31.

Expect both teams to be top-three seeds again this year. Beaver entered Thursday’s action ranked No. 2, while Avonworth was No. 3. Freeport, the two-time defending champion, is the team to beat.

The Section 2 title will be decided Tuesday when Beaver plays host to Avonworth. The Bobcats took a 10-0 record into Thursday’s action. The Antelopes were 9-1 with their only loss to Beaver.

“If we can beat Beaver, we will most likely move up in the rankings,” Avonworth coach Doug Vandervort said.

“If two teams tie for a section title, the WPIAL usually gives the team that wins in the second half a higher seeding.”

But defeating Beaver will be no easy task, since the Antelopes were swept in their first meeting.

“We have to take their two middles out of game,” said Vandervort, referring to Bobcat seniors Macy McElhaney and Alexa Mamone, who were voted to the PVCA all-star team last year.

“We had a plan but didn’t execute it. They are very talented and difficult to defend. We have to do a much better job of defending them to beat Beaver.”

Both teams will be at full strength. Avonworth senior middle hitter Erin Williams missed two weeks with an injury, but returned to the lineup this week. Beaver setter Cortney Lambert missed a week at the end of September with a possible concussion, but returned to the lineup last week.

“I’m glad to see that both teams will be at full strength,” Beaver coach Charlene Horwatt said. “Avonworth didn’t play as well as I expected in our first match, but I’m expecting this match to be much closer. We’re really looking forward to it.”

Williams and Antelopes teammate Emily Ferketic, a junior right-side hitter, were both WPIAL all-section last year. Ferketic was voted to the first team and Williams to the second team.

Section 3 again

Section 3 played a huge part in deciding the WPIAL Class 3A title last year. All four qualifiers advanced to quarterfinals in the 16team bracket. West Allegheny claimed the title, but had to beat South Fayette in the semifinals. And South Fayette beat Montour to earn its semifinal berth. Chartiers Valley was the other quarterfinalist.

A similar scenario is taking place this year. Montour is No. 2 in the WPIAL Class 3A rankings, South Fayette is No. 4 and West Allegheny is No. 5. That could change next week, as two key matches highlight the final week of the regular season.

South Fayette and Montour entered Thursday’s action tied for first place with an 8-1 record. The Lions’ only setback was a first-half loss to the Spartans. Montour’s only loss was to Ambridge. The two teams will meet again Tuesday, this time at South Fayette.

“The winner of that match will take a big step toward winning the section title,” South Fayette coach Scott Sundgren said.

“We didn’t play up to our potential the first time we met and Montour played great. We have to play much better this time to beat them. Hopefully being at home will make a difference.”

Senior outside hitter Haley Altemus is South Fayette’s top player. Altemus was voted first-team allWPIAL Class 3A last year. She was also recognized on the PVCA all-state team.

“Haley is one of the best players in the WPIAL, but we’ve been getting contributions from everybody,” Sundgren said. “That will be the key to beating Montour. We need everybody to step up their play.”

Montour concludes it’s section schedule Oct. 19 with a home match against West Allegheny. The Indians entered Thursday’s action with a 6-3 record.

Big Section 4 rematch

Armstrong had Oakland Catholic on the ropes in their first Class 4A Section 4 match-up, which took place Sept. 21. The River Hawks won the first two sets, but saw victory slip from their fingers as Oakland Catholic rallied to win the next three sets.

“They made some adjustments and switched to a 5-1 offense,” Armstrong coach Andrea Lasher said. “We just couldn’t finish them off. It was disappointing since we played so well in the first two sets.”

The second-half rematch will take place Tuesday at Oakland Catholic.

“The rematch will play a big part in seeding of the WPIAL playoff bracket,” Lasher said. “A win could move us into the top four.”

Oakland Catholic entered Thursday’s action ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL and boasts a 10-0 record in the section. Armstrong is No. 6 with a 9-1 record.

“[ Oakland Catholic] plays smart and is very aggressive,” Lasher said. “They have some very good hitters so we have to be ready for everything.”

Armstrong’s top two hitters are senior outside hitter Kenzie Lasher and junior outside hitter Loryn Bowser.