A-K Valley athletes of the week: Knoch’s Mason Nebel, Plum’s Ava Weleski

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 12:26 PM

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Ava Weleski

Class: Senior

School: Plum

Sport: Soccer

Report card: Weleski netted a hat trick Thursday night in helping Plum to a 7-0 nonsection win over Hampton. The senior forward also scored Wednesday as the Mustangs shut out Greensburg Salem, 3-0. Plum, which also beat Gateway, 5-0, on Monday, entered the weekend 10-0-1 overall and 9-0-1 in Section 3-3A. A second-team Valley News Dispatch All-Star last season, Weleski is a Robert Morris recruit.

How did the team play against Hampton?

We played really well. We came off a rough game against Greensburg Salem, so (Thursday) night was definitely a good way to tune up for our really big game against Latrobe (Monday). I thought we played really well as a team. We were really connecting passes, which is good to see when you are playing such a good team this upcoming week.

What led to your hat trick?

The first goal was a penalty kick. Gianna Revetta made a really good play and got a foul in the box, and I finished it off with a penalty kick. The third one was a longer shot. The second one was closer to the goal, but I wouldn’t have those opportunities without my teammates and their hard work.

How many goals do you have this season?

Around 15 maybe.

What position are you playing?

Center forward; it’s a new position for me. The last few years I played as a center midfielder. We had a lot of seniors leave last year. We were just trying to figure out new positions for everyone. We have a new, younger team coming up. It ended up working in the scrimmage and stuck form there.

What are some things the team is doing well at this point in the season?

Definitely, our communication has done really well. With a new, younger team, our communication and chemistry has been building ever since our first scrimmage at Indiana. We’re definitely starting to click together. Our passes are getting sharper. Things are going really well for us right now.

What are the team’s goals the rest of the way?

The biggest one is definitely the section. We have a tougher section than in years past with Franklin, Latrobe and P-T as our biggest games. And then from there, winning WPIALs, going to states.

How did you get started in soccer?

It was from my older brother (Michael). He’s a sophomore in college. He played from a young age. From seeing him play all the way through high school, I just kind of watched him and went from there and liked it since I was a young kid.

Why did you decide to play at Robert Morris?

I really enjoyed their campus when I went on a visit. I was recruited by their head coach. I liked the way he formats his team. I thought it was a good fit.

What do you plan to study?

Business.

What’s the last movie you saw in a theater?

“Barbie.” It was a good movie.

What’s your favorite home-cooked meal?

Vodka sauce and pasta.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Coast & Main in Monroeville.

Do you listen to music before games?

Yeah, a lot of Rihanna and Kanye West. Some Taylor Swift, too.

What is something people might not know about you?

Everyone knows everything about me.

Mason Nebel

Class: Senior

School: Knoch

Sport: Soccer

Report card: Nebel had a hat trick to lead Knoch to a 5-2 win over Jeannette in a Section 2-2A boys soccer game Thursday night. The Knights also defeated Freeport, 2-0, on Tuesday and entered the final two weeks of the season with a 7-7 overall record and 7-3 mark in Section 2, good for third place.

How did the team play against Jeannette?

We played pretty good. We started a little rough but then we started connecting passes and played pretty well.

What led to your hat trick?

We just figured out their weakness and played through balls and watched the offsides. One was off a throw in, and I got to the ball before the goalie.

What are some things the team is doing well at this point in the season?

Probably we are passing way better than we were doing and communication. We’re playing more as a team and not just individually.

What are the team’s goals the rest of the way?

Make it to playoffs, for sure. We need to beat the rest of the teams we play and hopefully beat Shady Side.

How many goals do you have this season?

Ten.

What position are you primarily playing?

Right wing or striker.

How did you get started in soccer?

I told my mom when I was like 4 I wanted to play. (I played for) the little in-house team at Mars.

Are you involved in any other sports/activities at Knoch?

I do track and field. I run the 4-by-1, 4-by-4 and 400. I do that just to condition for soccer.

Have you made any plans for next fall?

I have not. Soccer might be (a possibility).

What’s your favorite home-cooked meal?

Probably steaks.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Texas Roadhouse.

Do you listen to music before games?

Sometimes. I usually listen to country but we don’t play country.

Do you have a favorite class?

Probably intro to home maintenance and repair.

What is something people might not know about you?

That I like to hunt. Everything — deer, turkey, bears, small game. Just around my house and sometimes (I go) up to Tionesta.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Knoch, Plum