Despite roster turnover, Thomas Jefferson girls volleyball looks to maintain winning tradition

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, September 22, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Former assistant Courtney Frost has taken over the head coaching duties for the Thomas Jefferson girls volleyball team this year.

Frost was an assistant to former veteran coach Ron Kelly for two seasons, so she knows the winning tradition associated with the girls volleyball program.

“I am acting as the interim head coach this season,” said Frost, who added that her expectations for this year’s team are “to win our section and make it to the WPIAL and state playoffs.”

TJ has won 26 section championships in girls volleyball, including four straight and 12 in the last 13 years. The Jaguars have advanced to the WPIAL semifinals in five of the past seven seasons and have seen regular action in the PIAA playoffs.

But the Jaguars lost 10 seniors to graduation from last year’s 18-3 and WPIAL/PIAA playoff squad.

“We are a young team with one returning starter, Myla Evans, a senior setter/opposite-side hitter,” Frost said.

Frost’s maiden name is Fegurski. She is a 2005 Baldwin graduate who competed in volleyball for four years, including 2002 and 2003 when the Highlanders won back-to-back WPIAL championships.

Frost attended NCAA Division II Slippery Rock where she continued her playing career for another four years and helped lead The Rock to four NCAA Division II tournaments.

She has coached “on and off” for the Pittsburgh Elite and Revolution volleyball clubs since 2006.

Her coaching philosophy can prove to be intense at times.

“Train every day the way we would expect to play in a WPIAL final match,” Frost said. “Training includes having the physical assets to win a match as well as a high volleyball IQ.”

The 5-foot-5 Evans is joined in the starting rotation by junior middle hitters Chase Turk (6-foot) and Hannah Stewart (5-9), junior defensive specialists Gianna Machi and Addi Bracco; plus sophomores Viola MacNeil (OH), Sophia Janosko (libero), Mia Trbovich (RS) and Tatum Betler (setter).

Three other impact players include seniors Olivia Virgin (OH), Reese Lawry (DS) and Alison Chalovich (RS), who shares the team captaincy role with Evans.

The Jaguars finished 14-0 in Section 3-3A last year.

They are in Section 3-3A again along with Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold and Uniontown.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson