Experienced Latrobe boys volleyball team again among Class 2A contenders

By: Dave Mackall
Monday, March 25, 2024 | 8:41 AM

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Latrobe opened another boys volleyball season last week still aware of the dismal ending of a year ago that saw the team enter the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs as a top seed but come away disappointed following a pair of season-ending losses to eventual WPIAL champion North Catholic and Mars.

Coach Drew Vosefski has chosen to move on and hopes his players will follow along.

“We had a very good season, but we fell short of our goals,” said Vosefski, who is in his 25th year on the Wildcats bench. “We just didn’t perform the way we should’ve.”

He’s hoping for a better result this time.

Despite entering the 2023 playoffs as the favorite, Latrobe stumbled, dropping a 3-0 semifinals decision to No. 4 seed North Catholic, followed by a 3-2 loss to No. 3 seed Mars in the consolation final.

A year later, the Wildcats return with a team dominated by juniors — many of them with a ton of varsity experience — but mainly were looking to a senior for guidance.

“Our senior leader in all aspects is Sam Kiesel,” Vosefski said. “He’s a fantastic all-around player, and he’s our captain. He is the heart-and-soul of this team, and he’s not afraid to put us on his back. He takes the attitude, ‘Follow me and I’ll lead you to a win.’ ”

With just three seniors — outside hitters Kiesel and Tyler Fetter and libero Jacob Elliott — Latrobe will lean on a posse of underclassmen for help, led by junior setter/opposite Eric Bisignani and middle blocker/outside hitter Owen Ward.

“Those are the guys who are most experienced,” Vosefski said.

There are others, including outside hitters Tyler Bauer and Luke Fiore and middle blocker Jay Sumner, all juniors, and sophomore setter Gabe Watson.

“Our varsity bench will have a bunch of new guys who I have complete confidence to put in the game,” Vosefski said.

Included are juniors in opposite Brady Kring and defensive specialist Evan Frescura, and sophomores in outside hitter/middle blocker Jack O’Neil, middle blocker Jayden Holnaider, setter/opposite Calvin Akins and defensive specialist Dan Sweeney.

“We’re looking forward to having a very fruitful year this year because next year we move (back) to Triple-A,” Vosefski said.

Latrobe has competed in Class 3A in all but four of Vosefski’s 25 seasons as coach.

The Wildcats’ latest season got off to a busy week with scheduled road matches against Class 3A teams Norwin and Butler and a weekend trip to the North Allegheny Tournament, stern tests in preparation for section play.

North Allegheny was beaten by Shaler in the 2023 Class 3A championship match.

Latrobe is in Section 2-2A with Armstrong, Deer Lakes, Derry, Gateway and Mars.

“We might be better than we were last year,” Vosefski said. “We want to play the best competition we can play. These younger guys are used to varsity competition. They’re not going to be in awe of stepping into big games, so I expect they’ll act like seasoned veterans.”

Latrobe’s scheduled home opener is Tuesday against District 6 opponent West Shamokin before the Wildcats continue a nonsection slate against stepped-up competition with a trip Thursday to Class 3A Hempfield.

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