Sisters pair up for family fun at Frazier, Beaver
Frazier girls volleyball coach Mandy Hartman will have two daughters in her starting lineup for the second time in three years.
Logan Hartman was a fouryear starter for Frazier from 2016-19 and was voted to the WPIAL Class 2A second-team twice.
Jensyn Hartman joined her sister in the Commodores starting lineup in 2019 as a freshman. Last season, she earned first-team WPIAL honors and was recognized on the PVCA all-state team.
Gracen Hartman will become the third sister to start at Frazier as a freshman on Saturday when the Commodores play in the 12-team Franklin Regional tournament.
“It’s a lot of fun having two daughters playing at the same time,” said Mandy Hartman, who begins her 24th season as head coach. “It’s easier than I thought it would be. We just have to realize that it’s the mother-daughter relationship at home and the coach-player relationship on the field. Fortunately, they are very supportive of each other. In fact, they are attached at the hip. It’s been a special appearance for me and Don.”
Don Hartman is Mandy’s husband and the Commodores’ assistant coach. He is also Frazier’s head softball coach with Mandy as his assistant. And to no surprise, both daughters will be starting for the softball team in the spring.
“Jensyn was an all-state catcher last year, while Logan was the PSAC Pitcher of the Year at Seton Hill in the spring,” Mandy Hartman said. “Gracen will be a utility player. She can play infield, outfield and can even pitch.”
Jensyn Hartman, who stands in at 5 feet 9, was a setter/outside hitter for Frazier last year in a 6-2 offense. The other half of that setting/hitting combo has graduated.
“Gracen will step into that role,” Mandy Hartman said. “Our 6-2 offense will revolve around Jensyn and Gracen.”
Gracen, who is 5 feet 8, will make her varsity debut Saturday at the Franklin Regional tournament. The Commodores and host Panthers will be joined in the 12-team field by Ambridge, Derry Area, Elizabeth Forward, Freeport, Gateway, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Penn-Trafford, Shenango and South Park.
Beaver
Beaver also has a sister act. Payton and Chloe List are back for their second year with the Bobcats. Payton is a 5-10 senior, while Chloe is a 6-1 sophomore.
“Both are very talented athletes, and not just in volleyball,” said Suze Pollins, who has taken over as head coach after spending the past three years as an assistant. “Payton was a WPIAL [second-team] all-star in volleyball and was the pitcher on our softball team, which won WPIAL and PIAA titles.
“Chloe was a starter on both teams as a freshman. I feel she will be the best sophomore in Class 3A in the WPIAL this season.”
Both will be outside hitters thisseason, but Pollins considered having both share setting and hitting duties in a 6-2 offense to fill a graduation loss.
“Both could have easily made the transition to setter, but I need them more as outside hitters because of their talent in the serve-receive phase of the game,” said Pollins, who was fortunate to find a 5-9 freshman to take over the setting duties.
“Finding a setter to replace Talia Gallagher, who was a three-year starter for us, was my biggest concern. Zoe Ringer did a nice job in our scrimmage at South Fayette. She’s come a long way in a short time.”
Ringer will make her varsity debut Saturday at the Canon-McMillan tournament. The Bobcats and host Big Macs will be joined in the 12-team field by Brentwood, Charleroi, Chartiers Valley, Knoch, North Hills, Quaker Valley, Seneca Valley, Serra Catholic, South Fayette and Upper St. Clair.
“I was an assistant coach for six years at Canon-McMillan before coming to Beaver,” Pollins said. “I spent a lot of time in that gym. There will be a lot of good teams at the tournament. It will be a good test for us.”
The Bobcats will be without Payton List, who be on an unofficial visit to Virginia Tech this weekend. List has committed to Virginia Tech and wanted a chance to spend time with the coaching staff and getting acquainted with the university.
Montour
Montour will open its season at the Camp Hill Trinity’s Labor Day Lift Off Classic, which may be the biggest tournament in the state this season. The Spartans, who finished second in WPIAL Class 3A last season, are one of 28 teams.
“Many of the best teams from District 3 are entered, including the host team, Camp Hill Trinity, who won the PIAA Class 2A title last year,” Montour coach Mike Marchionda said. “There are also a couple teams from West Virginia and a team from Maryland. It will be a great test for us.”
It’s also an educational and bonding experience for the Spartans.
“We try to take one trip
every season,” Marchionda said. “Three years ago we went to New Jersey for a tournament at Fairleigh Dickinson College. We also attended the Broadway show ‘Wicked’, and visited the 9/11 memorial, and the Cake Boss Bakery.
“In 2019, we competed in the Rock Ridge High School tournament in Washington, D.C. We took the kids to all the sites in the capital, which was a great educational experience for the kids.
“Last year, we were supposed to play in the Rocky Top Classic in Tennessee, then visit Dollywood, but that trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 shutdowns.
“This year’s trip includes a ghost tour of the Gettysburg battlefield, a team dinner at the Hibachi Grill, and a tour of the Hershey candy factory,” Marchionda said. “It’s a great educational and bonding experience for the girls. We also get a chance to play some of the best teams in the state.”
Twenty-two players, including the JV team, and four coaches will be making the trip.