Brentwood volleyball off to 4-0 start in section play
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Monday, September 18, 2017 | 8:45 PM
The Brentwood girls volleyball team is athletic and talented. And 4-0 in section play.
Brentwood won twice by 3-0 scores last week, blanking Fort Cherry and Burgettstown in section matches.
“The girls are playing to my expectations,” coach Kayla Hubsch said. “We are running a faster, more explosive offense and a strong, consistent defense. We are coming off a huge win over (co-defending) section champion Fort Cherry; we beat them at their place.”
Brentwood has been sparked mainly by four seniors — Morgan Dryburgh, Brittany Stewart, Brooke Gilchrist, Jackie Drazdzinski — and four juniors — Abby Wolf, Natalie Murrio, Anna Betz, Brooke McQuillan.
“The girls are playing so well together as a unit and never just for themselves,” Hubsch said. “We have worked really hard over the offseason to get to this point with our new starting lineup, after losing eight seniors who made up most of the varsity roster last season.”
It's a versatile lineup at Brentwood, consisting of Wolf, at the setter position; Dryburgh (middle hitter), Murrio (outside hitter/defensive specialist), Stewart (right-side hitter, defensive specialist), Betz (middle hitter/defensive specialist), McQuillan (outside hitter/defensive specialist), Gilchrist (defensive specialist) and Drazdzinski (right-side hitter).
Quintasia Streeter, a junior hitter, and Maria Nguyen, a junior defensive specialist, are reserves.
“Morgan Dryburgh has been making a huge impact in the middle, leading the team in blocks and kills,” Hubsch said. “All of the hitters on the team are being backed up by our new starting setter, Abby Wolf. Abby has been working hard to perfect her setting so our hitters have the opportunities they need from her to set them up for big plays.”
Fort Cherry shared the section title with Bishop Canevin last season. The Spartans defeated the Rangers by scores of 25-20, 25-20, 25-21. Dryburgh, Betz and Murrio had eight kills apiece in that match. Dryburgh also finished with five blocks. McQuillen (16), Stewart (15) and Betz (15) led the team in digs.
Brentwood socked visiting Burgettstown by scores of 25-19, 25-18, 25-11.
Wolf accounted for 28 assists, while McQuillan had 18 digs and four kills. Betz also registered 15 digs, eight kills and four blocks.
“As the setter, I strive to keep everyone hyped and excited for every play,” Wolf said. “I think we are doing really good so far this year. We've gone 4-0 in our section and plan on making playoffs. Our front row is really strong; we've been doing a lot of new stuff with them. And our team gets along so well, we work great with each other, which helps so much.”
Wolf is a three-sport athlete at Brentwood. She also is a guard on the girls basketball team and a catcher on the softball team.
She has a 4.2 grade-point average and is a National Honor Society member. She also finds time to participate in the Garden Club, Pep Club, Metro USA basketball and Pittsburgh Cares.
Brentwood ended up fourth in the final section standings last year, behind Bishop Canevin, Fort Cherry and Avella. Bishop Canevin and Fort Cherry were PIAA qualifiers in Class A as the second- and third-place teams in the WPIAL playoffs.
Brentwood qualified for the WPIAL playoffs last season for the first time in three years.
The Spartans opened the 2017 season with section wins against Northgate and Avella.
“Overall, I think we are making a big impact on the section this year,” Hubsch said, “and making our presence known as WPIAL playoff contenders.”
Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.
Tags: Brentwood
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