WPIAL champs now section foes
Realignments often set up interesting scenarios.
That is certainly the case with Freeport’s move up to Class 3A in the WPIAL girls volleyball realignment.
The Yellowjackets were placed into the newly formed Section 5, along with Knoch.
Freeport was the most dominant team in Class 2A over the past seven seasons, as the Yellowjackets won four WPIAL titles, including last year, and one PIAA crown.
Knoch dominated Class 3A the past three seasons, winning three WPIAL titles each season and a PIAA crown in 2018.
This scenario marks the first time in WPIAL girls volleyball history in which two returning champions begin a season in the same section.
Unfortunately, neither enters the season as a WPIAL favorite. In fact, neither is ranked among the top five in the Post- Gazette’s preseason rankings, as both were hit hard by graduation losses.
“We lost nine players to graduation, including three [ PVCA] all- state hitters,” said Knoch coach Diane Geist, who enters her 35th season. “Our goal is to gain experience during the season and battle for a playoff spot.”
“We lost seven senior starters from last year’s WPIAL championship team,” said Freeport coach Tom Phillips, now in his 20th season. “We have only one starter returning with varsity experience. Moving up in classification should prove a challenge for us.”
Phillips echoed the thoughts of all WPIAL coaches as shutdowns forced by the COVID- 19 virus kept teams from working out during the offseason.
“We have 9 freshman, 7 sophomores, 5 juniors and 2 seniors,” Phillips said. “My kids are used to playing all summer and attending various camps. This summer we couldn’t do anything. And not having a middle school season robbed our younger players of needed experience. Every team faced this scenario, but it’s especially tough on schools that were hit hard by graduation losses.”
The favorite in Class 3A is Franklin Regional. The Panthers have five starters returning from a squad that advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals for the first time in school history, including Aly Kindelberger, a 6- 1 senior middle hitter who was the only underclassman voted first- team WPIAL Class 3A last season. Kindelberger, a DePaul University recruit, was also recognized on the PVCA all- state team.
“We have a ton of experience coming into this season,” said Mike Feorene, now in his eighth season as the Panthers coach. “Our passing game was very good last year and we have everybody back. That’s very important when you have a player up front like Aly Kindelberger. She has the talent and ability to take over a match. We made it to the semifinals for the first time in school history last year. We’re hoping to take it to the next level this year and win our first WPIAL title.”
The only returning WPIAL champion ranked No. 1 in the Post- Gazette’s preseason poll is Bishop Canevin. The Crusaders have advanced to the WPIAL title match eight consecutive years and claimed five titles, including the past three.
Bishop Canevin lost five players to graduation, including three who were WPIAL first- team all- stars, but return four others who were all- section last season. The top returnees for the Crusaders are Abbie Maziarz, a 5- 10 junior middle hitter, and Gillian Golupski, a 5- 9 senior outside hitter. Maziarz was second- team All- WPIAL, while Golupski was voted to the third team.
“We lost three players who meant a lot to this program the last four years,” said Bishop Canevin coach Kevin Walters, now in his 14th season. “They will be missed. We will be a younger team this year, but still very athletic. Our goal every season is to win our section and go deep into the playoffs. It’s very rewarding as a coach to see the girls reach those goals.”
A pair of PIAA champs are the favorites in Class 4A and 2A, as North Allegheny and North Catholic are ranked No. 1.
North Allegheny saw its 66- match win streak come to an end in last year’s Class 4A title match, as CanonMcMillan pulled the biggest upset in WPIAL history. The Tigers rebounded to win a third consecutive PIAA title.
North Allegheny lost four All- WPIAL selections to graduation, but have two returning: Paige Morningstar, a 6- 0 senior setter, and Paige Miller, a 5- 11 senior outside hitter. Morningstar and Miller were also recognized on the PVCA all- state team last year.
“We have some nice size and offensive strengths and a setter who can deliver the ball who is also an offensive threat,” said North Allegheny coach Heidi Miller, now in her ninth year. “When we pass well we look good, but we are a work in progress.”
North Catholic won its first WPIAL title in 2018 and held a 2- 0 lead against Freeport in last year’s title match, but the Yellowjackets rallied to win the last three sets and unseat the Trojans. North Catholic rebounded in the PIAA tournament to claim its first title. Eight players from that squad graduated, including three- time PVCA all- state honoree Dominique Felix, who is now at Sacred Heart University.
“We have a great group of kids that are working hard to fill some big shoes that were left behind with the loss of our senior class from
last year,” said third- year North Catholic coach Amanda Fetter.
Fetter has two returning starters, sisters Elizabeth and Allie Feczko. Elizabeth is a 5- 6 senior libero/ outside hitter who was voted to the PVCA all- state team last year. Allie is a 5- 9 sophomore outside hitter.
“We have an amazing sophomore class and some powerful juniors who join our returning seniors,” Fetter said. “Our younger players have really stepped up to the plate to raise the level of play in our gym with the goal of getting better every day.”
The first matches are scheduled for Monday.