2010 Terrific 21 Girls Volleyball Class A All-Star Team

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, January 6, 2011 | 12:00 AM

The "Terrific 21" Class A Girls Volleyball Player-Of-The-Year and the All-Star Team were selected by the voting of member coaches and Jonathan Whaley, the Creator of the "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program on the MSA Sports Network. The 14 person team is composed of five seniors, six juniors and three sophomores. There are six repeat selections from last year on this year's All-Star team. The squad is comprised of six outside hitters, two middle hitters, two liberos, two setter/right side, one right side and one setter/outside hitter.

FRAZIER'S AMANDA PATO SELECTED THE 2010 CLASS A "TERRIFIC 21" PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR.

The "Terrific 21" Class A Player-Of-The-Year is 5' 9" Senior, Setter/Outside Hitter, Amanda Pato of the Frazier Commodores. The one particular ability that each of this year's "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program's Player-Of-The-Year recipients have in common Jenna Snyder (Baldwin -AAA), Carissa Miara (West Allegheny – AA) and Amanda Pato (Frazier – A) is that in addition to their supreme volleyball technical skills they each are excellent athletes. That dimension really is what separates them from many other players. No player reflects this significant talent better than Frazier's Amanda Pato. Last season as a junior, Amanda was voted to the "Terrific 21" Class A All-Star Team. Her head coach Mandy Hartman said this about her after the 2009 season "Amanda Pato is an exceptional athlete who contributes immensely to the success of our team. She works hard to vary her sets while providing our hitters with great opportunities. In addition to her setting talents, Amanda made a big impact this year as an outside hitter".

This season Amanda was the centerpiece on a very talented Commodores team that won Frazier High School's first ever girls WPIAL Title in a team sport! On the way to winning that WPIAL Championship, Frazier did not lose a single set in going 19- 0 through the regular season and WPIAL playoffs. The Commodores unblemished record came to an end in the PIAA playoffs, yet Frazier ended the 2010 season ranked as the # 9 Class A girls volleyball team in the state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association. Amanda's talented fingerprints were all over the greatest girls volleyball season in Frazier's history. Her diverse skill set particularly her ability to cover from anywhere on the court, finish with a powerful putdown or set the ball for a thunderous termination for one of her dangerous front row teammates made her a player that your eyes could not help but be drawn to watching on the court. Indeed, # "17" will not soon be forgotten when discussing who was the best girls volleyball player to ever wear the red and white at Frazier High School.

Coach Mandy Hartman after discussing it with her team prior to the start of the 2010 season agreed with her team that they weren't going to make a big deal about stats this year. The Commodores were trying to avoid the individual accomplishments and focus on the team concept. Obviously, that worked out well for Frazier this season. However, that decision does not allow me to provide any numbers to support just how remarkable the 2010 season was for Amanda Pato. I can share with you that Ms. Pato was a team captain and a 2009 and 2010 Class A ALL-WPIAL First Team pick. She was chosen to the Section 5 A First Team in 2010. Amanda delivered the goods when the MSA Sports Network was on hand to broadcast Commodores matches this season as she earned Player-Of-The-Match honors twice in 2010. The first time on September 30, 2010 and again on October 5, 2010. She received that recognition three times in the past two seasons as she garnered it for the first time in her career on September 22, 2009.

Coach Hartman said this about Amanda's importance to the Frazier girls volleyball program after their best season ever "In addition to her volleyball skills, Amanda has exceptional leadership skills and capabilities. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to coach her during her career at Frazier. She is a multi dimensional player, and I think that is what makes her so special. Her athleticism allows her to be effective in whatever role she is playing." Amanda possesses a very warm and friendly personality and is a joy to interview and interact with. She was one of only two Class A players out of the dozen "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program member players who were selected to represent the "Terrific 21" in western Pennsylvania's First-Ever Interstate High School Girls Volleyball All-Star Match against a team of All-Stars representing Ohio District One this season. Amanda plans to play volleyball at the collegiate level next fall but is undecided on her college choice. She has indicated that she would prefer a campus that has a "metropolitan" atmosphere. Whichever college that this long, brunette, setter/outside hitter with the tremendous "hops" matriculates to is not just going to get an extremely talented and hard-working volleyball player but one classy Commodore as well.

Last year's Class A "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program's Co-Player-Of-The-Year, Bishop Canevin, 5'10", Senior, Outside Hitter, Katelyn Blaich finished her first season as a member of the Waynesburg University women's volleyball team second on the team in kills with (154) and averaged (1.60) kills per set and third on the team in digs with (186) and 1.94 digs per set. Katelyn was the only player on the Yellowjackets team to play in every set (96) in the 2010 season.

In addition to Frazier's Amanda Pato three of her Commodores teammates and four of their opponents in the WPIAL Class A Championship Match the Bishop Canevin Crusaders were selected to the 2010 14 member "Terrific 21" Class A All-Star Team.

Gena Keebler – Frazier – Senior – 5'11" – Right Side

The Commodores 2009 season ended with a disappointing exit in the quarterfinal round of the WPIAL playoffs to their Section 5 A rivals and fellow Co-Section Champion Jefferson-Morgan. Frazier was primarily a junior-laden squad last season. Those five juniors (Amanda Pato, Giovanna Bitonti, Savannah Prue, Laurissa Ellis and Gena Keebler) used that early playoff exit in 2009 as fuel to help motivate them to bigger and better things in 2010. None of those juniors were more driven to win WPIAL gold this year than talented Right Side Gena Keebler. Ms. Keebler was a key front row component for a Commodores team that entered the 2010 season as one of the favorites to win the Class A WPIAL Title and the Commodores stayed at the top of the Class A volleyball heap "wire to wire". Frazier went undefeated in Section 5 A and methodically dispatched all of their WPIAL opponents in winning the Section 5 A Championship with a 12-0 record and then grabbing their school's first WPIAL Championship in a girl's team sport with a mark of 19-0. Along the way never losing a single set!. Gena was one of the best Right Sides in Class A this year. After being a Second Team All-Section pick in 2009, Gena was selected First Team All-Section 5 A in 2010. She also was rewarded with a spot on the First Team Class A ALL-WPIAL Team this season. Gena plans to continue her education and volleyball career next fall but has not made her decision yet.

Savannah Prue – Frazier – Senior – 5'8" – Outside Hitter

A major reason for the Commodores success this season was that there was not another WPIAL Class A team that featured the skill, depth, size and athleticism on the front row as head coach Mandy Hartman's Frazier outfit. It was a major headache for their opponents to try to find an area of weakness to try and attack when facing the Commodores. Savannah Prue, the lithe, blonde , outside hitter who wore number "23" was a devastating presence on this WPIAL Class A Championship Frazier squad in 2010. Ms. Prue was a superb terminator on the outside and was just as influential when she took her turn behind the service line. Several high school coaches indicated that when they spoke with college coaches about Savannah, one of the first things they talked about was that she had a frame that made her an ideal college prospect. Savannah was named to the ALL-WPIAL Class A Second Team in 2010. In addition, she was selected to the First Team All-Section 5 A team in 2010. Savannah's plans include continuing her education and volleyball career at the collegiate level next fall and is still in the process of making her decision.

Megan Manack – Frazier – Junior – 6'0" – Outside Hitter

A knee injury made this, raven haired, powerful "lefty" outside hitter a spectator on the 2009 Frazier team that lost in the quarterfinal round of the 2009 WPIAL playoffs to their heated Section 5 A rival, Jefferson-Morgan. Commodores head coach Mandy Hartman thought that Megan would have made a difference in how the 2009 season played out. She did not have to worry about what might have been in 2010. Megan indeed did make quite a difference in helping Frazier navigate through uncharted volleyball waters for the Frazier program in winning the school's first ever WPIAL Girls Volleyball Title this season. Ms. Manack was another weapon in the Commodores varied arsenal that the rest of the WPIAL Class A teams did not have an answer for! She was chosen the "Terrific 21" Player-Of-The-Match for her performance on September 9, 2010. At the end of the 2010 season Megan was voted to the Class A ALL-WPIAL First Team and was a First Team All-Section 5 A honoree. With the graduation of (5) talented seniors from the Commodores team this season, Megan along with sophomore, libero, McKenzie Barch will be counted on to carry the leadership mantle for Frazier in the 2011 campaign.

Dana Heidenreich – Bishop Canevin – Senior – 5'10" – Middle Hitter

Dana was chosen to the "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program's Class A All-Star Team in 2009. She has received numerous honors over the past two seasons that the Crusaders girls volleyball team has been a member of the "Terrific 21". Dana was selected the "Terrific 21" Class A Player-Of-The-Week for the week of October 12, 2009 and again for the week of October 4, 2010. Ms.Heidenreich was one of only two Class A players out of the dozen "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program member players who were selected to represent the "Terrific 21" in western Pennsylvania's First-Ever High School Girls Volleyball Interstate All-Star Match against a team of All-Stars representing Ohio District One this season. Dana was selected to the Second Team Class A ALL-WPIAL Team this season and was chosen to the 2010 First Team All-Section 6 A squad. The Crusaders won the Section 6 A title with a 14-0 record and finished as the 2010 WPIAL Class A runner-up to the Frazier Commodores. Bishop Canevin advanced to the Class A PIAA playoffs and wound up as the # 5 ranked Class A girls volleyball team in the state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association. Dana's 2010 season statistics include (250) kills, (46.8%) hitting %, (4.8) kills per game, (175) blocks and an average of (2.8) blocks per game.

Natalie Medved – Bishop Canevin – Junior – 5'9" – Outside Hitter

The strength of the 2010 Crusaders team lied in their underclassmen. One of their key cogs was this consistently good outside hitter, Natalie Medved. Natalie really stepped up her game this season and it was easily recognized. She was named to the First Team All-Section 6 A squad for both the 2009 and 2010 seasons. She received several "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program Class A honors this season. Ms. Medved was noted as the "Terrific 21" Player-Of-The-Match twice in 2010. The first one occurring on September 7, 2010 and the second time on September 16, 2010. She received her first "Terrific 21" Player-Of-The-Week award for her performance the week of September 6, 2010. She capped her outstanding junior year by being voted to the ALL-WPIAL Class A First Team and was the only WPIAL Class A player chosen to the PIAA 2010 All-State tournament team. Natalie compiled some impressive 2010 season statistics. She tallied (336) kills, (54.2%) hitting %, (5.4) kills per game, (27) aces, (263) digs, (36) blocks, (325) serve receptions with an average of (3.2) per game. These numbers attest to her all-around skills. Natalie will definitely be among the players to watch in the WPIAL next season. Like Frazier was entering the 2010 season, the Bishop Canevin Crusaders should be a strong favorite to win the WPIAL Class A Volleyball Championship in 2011. Natalie Medved will have a whole lot to say about whether the Crusaders will accomplish that.

Joie Hrapla – Bishop Canevin – Junior – 5'5" – Libero

Natalie Medved had a standout junior year in the front row for Bishop Canevin in 2010. The same thing can be said for this brunette and very athletic libero in the back row. Joie Hrapla is the "engine" that drives the Crusaders team and she powers them by not being hesitant about leaving a lot of her skin on the floor. Some of the best volleyball players in the WPIAL like to have Joie on their side and it does not take long watching her performance on the hardcourt to understand why. Bishop Canevin made their deepest run ever in the WPIAL playoffs this season before coming up short against Frazier in the WPIAL Class A Championship match. If you heard the words most often quoted from the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie The Terminator "I'll be back" spoken after that match by some of the Bishop Canevin players you were not just hearing things. The returning talent for Bishop Canevin next season is just that good. And it is because the Crusaders have several outstanding players such as the talented Ms. Hrapla back next year. Joie was a First Team All-Section 6 A pick in 2009 and once again in 2010. Joie "wrapped" her 2010 season by being voted to the Class A ALL-WPIAL First Team this year. Her "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program honors this season included being named the Player-Of-The-Match twice this year. The first time on September 7, 2010 and again on September 16, 2010. Her season statistics included (45) kills, (53.7%) hitting %, (48) aces, (675) digs and averaged (8.0) digs per game, (560) serve receptions with an average of (6.5) per game. Volleyball fans should make it a point to mark their calendars to come out and watch Joie and her teammates next season.

Katie Oliverio – Bishop Canevin – Sophomore – 5'3" – Setter/Right Side

Bishop Canevin tied with the Frazier Commodores with having (4) of their players voted to the 2010 "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program's Class A All-Star Team. Katie is the youngest player out of those eight. Bishop Canevin head coach Kevin Walters gave her an opportunity for quality playing time early in the 2010 season and Ms. Oliverio took full advantage of his confidence. Katie was voted to the ALL-WPIAL Second Team this season. The impact that she made on the court was also noticed by the coaches in her section as Katie was chosen First Team All-Section 6 A this year as a sophomore. She was also recognized by the "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program as she was chosen the "Terrific 21" Class A Player-Of-The-Week for her performance the week of October 11, 2010. Katie is one of only three sophomores to make the "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program Class A All-Star Team this season (Shannon Hurley – Greensburg Central Catholic and Lacey Levers – Chartiers-Houston) are the other two. This season Katie compiled the following statistics (536) assists (7.0) assists per game, (34) aces, (258) digs with an average of (3.2) digs per game and (82) serve receptions. The future is bright for this skilled and youthful volleyball player.

Shannon Hurley – Greensburg Central Catholic – Sophomore – 5'11" – Outside Hitter

As a freshman last season this gifted outside hitter was voted the "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program's Class A Co-Player-Of-The-Year along with Bishop Canevin's, senior, outside hitter, Katelyn Blaich as she helped lead the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions to a runner-up finish in the WPIAL Class A Volleyball Championship match. This year's Centurions squad lost in the quarterfinal round of the WPIAL playoffs to the Bentworth Bearcats. Still, that did nothing to detract from another outstanding season for Shannon Hurley. Her head coach Heather Meyer was effusive in her praise for her powerful, athletic and dynamic outside hitter. "Shannon is by far one of the best players in the WPIAL

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Frazier, Greensburg C.C.