A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Week ending Oct. 20, 2024

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 5:13 PM

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Kate Giannetta

School: St. Joseph

Class: Junior

Sport: Volleyball

Claim to fame: Giannetta, a setter for the Spartans, produced 17 kills and had nine aces in her team’s win over Riverview on Tuesday. She followed that performance with 12 kills and five aces on Thursday in a victory against Apollo-Ridge. St. Joesph (15-3, 10-0) is preparing for the WPIAL playoffs, which start on Tuesday. The Spartans are the fourth seed and play Union in the first round. For the season, Giannetta has 76 aces and 101 kills.

How did it feel to win a section title?

Coming in my freshman year, we fought hard and came close, but we didn’t make the playoffs. Then my sophomore year we made the playoffs but lost in the first round. It’s great to win our section and get into the playoffs, and I think the team really deserves it.

In your three years, the program has risen from the bottom of the section to the top. What has the journey been like?

It’s been tricky, but the girls and the coaches have made it a lot easier. We’ve all stuck together through the highs and lows, and that has made the journey easier but it has been tough.

What’s been the key to the team’s success this season?

The bonding between us players, and because of that bonding, we’re communicating better and playing better on the court. We just took a trip up to Hidden Valley for a team bonding experience last weekend.

How nice was it to get away and just rest and mentally prepare for playoffs?

It was very nice and quiet. We did a lot of walking outside to unwind.

The team moved from Section 4-A to Section 1 this season. How was it to face new competition?

It was fun. I really liked the change. We got to play a lot of new schools, but we also played some of the schools in our section last year, which I liked.

Which teams were the toughest to play?

Either Greensburg Central Catholic, Eden Christian and Burrell.

What’s the feeling around the team heading into the playoffs?

Everyone is really excited. I think we got a good seed in the playoffs, and we’re hoping to go as far as we can. Since this is our second playoffs, we know what to expect.

The team went to watch the Pitt volleyball team play Penn State earlier this year. How exciting was it to watch them live?

As a player you pick up different things on the court when you watch other teams. We took some of what those college players were doing and came back with a few new ideas for serve receives rotations and stuff like that.

What’s one opponent you look forward to playing the most?

I look forward to playing Serra Catholic. The last two years, we never won a set against them. We swept them this year, and it was a really nice feeling.

What’s been the highlight of the season?

Going to the Deer Lakes tournament. We’ve been there before but lost in the first round. This year, we made it all the way to the championship match and beat Deer Lakes.

What were your goals for the year?

To make it to playoffs. I wanted to play middle and give libero a shot for one game. I also wanted to be a better leader on the court.

Do you play any club volleyball?

Yes. This year I play for A-10, and last year I played for Revolution Volleyball Club.

Do you play any other sports?

I did track and field freshman year, but now I’m solely focusing on volleyball.

What did you participate in?

I threw javelin.

Who can jump the highest on the team?

It’s pretty close between Elaina Moore and myself.

Who’s got the hardest spike?

Everybody has a pretty good spike, but Alaina has probably the best spike. Mackenzi Jones’ outside hitting is crazy. It’s really hard and really fast.

Who inspires you?

Rachel Fairbanks. She’s the setter for Pitt. I went to one of their camps when I was in eighth grade, and whenever I got to see her run some drills, it really inspired me.

What’s your favorite part about autumn?

I love the bus rides. Everyone is either listening to music or talking. We have the windows down, so there’s a chill in the air. It just creates a nice atmosphere for away games.

What was your best ever Halloween costume?

Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I had a basket and a little stuffed animal dog for Toto.

Favorite candy?

Kit-Kat

Carter French

School: Knoch

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Cross country

Claim to fame: French finished as the top overall runner in Class 2A at the TSTCA championship meet Oct. 17 at White Oak Park. He is getting ready for the WPIAL team and individual championships, which will take place Thursday at White Oak Park.

How did it feel to win the TSTCA meet?

It was super awesome. I really surprised myself because I didn’t really expect it.

Did you have a sense of where you were in relation to the other runners while running the course?

I’ve raced all those kids a bunch of times before and raced the course a few times, so I had a plan in the back of my mind going into the race.

What was that plan?

Stick on the kid from Hampton and in the last mile try to rip it and pull it as much as I could.

You finished with a time of 15:51.71. Was the course as easy as your time made it seem?

It’s a super nice and well-kept course, but I wouldn’t call it easy. There are some pretty nice hills in it.

Was the 15:51 your personal best?

Yeah.

What was your previous?

15:59

Are you feeling good heading into the WPIAL championships Thursday?

Yeah, for sure. Finishing at the top at TSTCA gave me a lot of confidence for WPIALs.

How confident are you that you can break 15:50 at WPIALs?

If I play my cards right, I can get under 15:50.

What was your time and where did you finish in the Red White and Blue Invitational?

I came in a bit undertrained, which is kind of the goal, to come in undertrained and run fast at the end of the season. So my time wasn’t great. It was 16:25.

What is the highlight of the season?

Topping TSTCA. I’ve never had more confidence or been happier after a race.

Is there anything you do to get in the zone before a race?

I just put headphones on and dial in before a race. I don’t listen to a specific song, just chill music to relax myself.

What are you thinking about when you’re running?

For cross country, I’m more focused on who is around me, what’s going on and more on how I’m feeling.

What’s your favorite and least favorite courses to run?

Least favorite is Deer Lakes because of the hills there. My favorite would have to be White Oak because it’s super fun.

What were your goals at the start of the year?

I want to place well at WPIALs, to break 16 once and do well at states.

Do you also run track?

Yeah. I run the mile and the 3,200. My best time is 4:28 in the mile and the 2-mile is 9:35.

Are you close to any school records in either cross country or track?

In cross country, I got the official school record on Thursday at TSTCA and beat it by 24 seconds. In track, I’m 12 seconds away in the mile, and I forget how far I am in the two mile.

What was your best Halloween costume?

Probably the time I went as Napoleon Dynamite.

Favorite candy?

Bunch of Crunch

Tags: Knoch, St. Joseph