Top-seed teams to be tested in upcoming tournament

Tri-State Sports & News Service

The top seed in all four WPIAL girls volleyball tournament brackets have something in common. All four teams were the preseason favorite. And all four have remained No. 1 in the Post-Gazette rankings throughout the season.

The foursome will find out next week if they have what it takes to claim a WPIAL title in their class. The tournament began this week with preliminary and first-round matches. All four were prohibitive favorites in their first round match, as no top seed has ever lost in the first round of the WPIAL tournament.

Next week's schedule begins with Tuesday's quarterfinals, followed by Thursday's semifinals, and ends with Saturday's title matches at Baldwin High School.

North Allegheny is the top seed in Class 4A. The Tigers posted a perfect 10-0 record en route to the Section 1 title and are one of two remaining teams in the WPIAL with an unblemished record, as they entered postseason play with a 15-0 record. The Tigers also won titles at the Upper St. Clair and North Allegheny tournaments.

North Allegheny has won four WPIAL titles in its history, with the last coming in 2013. The Tigers have advanced to the WPIAL finals four of the past five years.

But coach Heidi Miller and her squad found out last year that being the top seed doesn't insure a trip to the finals. The Tigers became only the third top seed since 2000 to lose in the quarterfinals. Eleven of the top 12 players from that squad are back with that memory as their motivation to make sure it doesn't happen again.

“I have a lot of seniors who have missed the boat the last three years and they are hungry,” Miller said. “We came up short in 2014 and 2015 [losing in the title match] and were beat in the quarterfinals last year. They are determined to finish their high school career with a WPIAL title.”

Miller feels this year's North Allegheny squad entered the playoffs at its best.

“Every year you want to peak at the right time,” Miller said. “We had a good regular season and didn't let anything get away from us. The girls have been sharp and focused all year.”

North Allegheny's lineup features two seniors who were WPIAL All-Stars last year. Middle hitter Kayla Dinkins was voted to the first team, while libero Erin Carmody was a secondteam selection.

Knoch

Knoch is the only other WPIAL team that entered the playoffs with an unblemished record. The Knights claimed the Class 3A Section 4 title with a 12-0 record and boasted a 16-0 overall record.

Knights coach Diane Geist ranks second among current WPIAL coaches with 32 years of service, but has never experienced the feeling of winning a WPIAL title. In fact, she's only been to the WPIAL finals once.

“We were the WPIAL [Class 2A] runner-up in 2003. We lost to Hopewell in the title match and they had Christa Harmotto on that team,” said Geist, referring to one of the best players in WPIAL history, who went on to play at Penn State and for the United States Olympic Team.

Knoch's lineup features three seniors who were WPIAL All-Stars last year. Middle hitter Sarah Armahizer and libero Carly Bozzo were recognized on the first team, and outside hitter Abby Pospisil was a second-team pick.

“The girls have been working hard all season with the goal of winning a WPIAL title,” Geist said. “To reach that goal, they must be mentally prepared for the tough road of winning four matches in two weeks.”

Freeport

Freeport is the only top seed who won a WPIAL title last year. In fact, the Yellow Jackets are two-time defending champions who have won three titles in four years.

Freeport dominated play in Class 2A Section 5 by recording 12 three-set sweeps of the competition. The Yellow Jackets entered the tournament with a 15-2 record, with its only two losses to North Allegheny and Knoch.

“It's very tough to repeat,” Freeport coach Tom Phillips said. “Last year, we came in as a No. 2 seed, which took a little pressure off the girls. It's more of a mental thing with kids as far as being seeded No. 1. It's pressure they put on themselves. No matter where you are seeded, you still have to win.”

Freeport's top player is senior libero Clair Crytzer, a first-team WPIAL AllStar. The Yellow Jackets lineup also features four players who are 5-10 or taller.

“We're better than we were last season,” said Phillips, now in his 16th season. “We have good size, play good defense, and have good leadership.”

Bishop Canevin

Bishop Canevin has been the most successful team in the WPIAL over the past six years. The Crusaders have made five appearances in the WPIAL finals during that stretch and claimed two titles. They also won a PIAA title in 2015.

Coach Kevin Walters' squad posted a perfect 14-0 record in Class 1A Section 3. The Crusaders are the first top-seed in WPIAL volleyball history to have six losses. All six were in nonsection competition to teams above them in classification.

“I try to find the toughest non-section competition for my girls to get them ready for the playoffs.” Walters said. “We also faced some stiff competition in our section. My girls are battle tested and ready for the playoffs.”

Bishop Canevin's lineup features four players who were recognized on the WPIAL All-Star Team, including a pair of first-teamers: junior outside hitter Kylie Airesman and sophomoreopposite Alexa Malloy.

“We made it to the WPIAL finals last year with a very young squad and lost to a very experienced Greensburg Central team,” Walters said. “All but two players from that team are back with the goal winning this year.”