2013 MSA Sports Hometown Volleyball Program Member – The Avonworth Antelopes

By: Bruce Markey
Sunday, September 29, 2013 | 9:24 PM

This is my 13th year as head coach. Hope it’s not unlucky, but we already have two girls who had season ending injuries from basketball. We hope to compete for the section championship and go deeper into the playoffs than last season.  But, we have a very solid and very big team this season and we think that we can compete with anyone.

The returning starters for my team are:

Katie Pendrak – 6’1” returning senior middle hitter

Olivia London – 5’10” returning senior strong side hitter

Abby Turnbull – 5’4” returning senior defensive specialist

Ericka Thomas – 5’5” returning senior defensive specialist

Olivia McKay – 5’5” returning senior defensive specialist (mother is Gretchen McKay who works at P-G)

Some of the younger players to keep an eye on are:

We have a freshman setter, Whitney Brown, who is the best setter I have ever coached.  She will start varsity this year and we will run a 5 –1 offense.  She is a great all-around player with an extremely high volleyball IQ, especially for a freshman.  She played club last year for Heidi Miller and Pittsburgh Elite. 

We also have two sophomores who could make a big impact this year in Abby Oberdick (5’11” middle) and Sierra Hartings (5’11” middle/weakside and daughter of former Steeler Jeff Hartings). 

Two talented juniors, Taylor Jenkins (strongside hitter) and Caitlyn Miller (d-spec. and weakside) are new to the varsity line-up but very, very talented. 

Tags: Avonworth