Eden Christian Academy girls volleyball looks to defend section title

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Eden Christian Academy’s girls volleyball team opened the season with 3-1 wins over West Allegheny and South Park.

Since then, the Warriors went 2-2 in their next four decisions with 3-0 victories against Western Beaver and Brentwood.

Eden is the defending champion in Section 5-A as the Warriors were undefeated in league play, qualified for both the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs, and wrapped up its banner season with 20 wins.

Two key players back from the 2024 squad are Ava Arnold, a 5-foot-9 senior outside hitter, and Erin Hull, a 5-9 sophomore setter. Both were named All-WPIAL last season with Arnold a second-team selection and Hull a third-team honoree.

“We’re coming off an undefeated section title — the first in school history — and return a solid core of starters,” Eden coach Jillian Zentko said. “Our seniors have set the vision for the year as ‘Play His Way,’ keeping Christ at the center of everything we do on and off the court.

“With strong leadership from our upperclassmen and younger players stepping confidently into bigger roles, we expect to be competitive in section play and make a strong push in the WPIAL playoffs.”

Along with Arnold and Hull, two other returning starters at Eden are Ainsley Chavalier, a 5-8 senior setter, and Emily Muir, a 5-11 sophomore outside hitter.

Seniors Kylie Polard (MH) and Mia Goetz (L/DS) are looking to make an impact in 2025, while the junior class is represented on the team by Coral Meyer (S/RS), Nina Oliver (L/DS) and Alison Muir (OH).

Rounding out the roster are sophomores Phebe Falavolito (RS), Bella Yurkovac (L/DS) and Adelyn Mathieu (MH/OH/RS); and freshmen Ellie Hartwig (S/DS), Cassidy Bulow (MH), Annalese Haring (RS) and Natalie Oliver (DS).

Eden is joined in Section 5 by Bishop Canevin, Brentwood, Fort Cherry and Serra Catholic. The Warriors captured first place last year with an 8-0 record, followed by Serra Catholic (5-3), Bishop Canevin (5-3), Fort Cherry (2-6) and Brentwood (0-8).

“Our section is full of strong teams, and we know every match will be a battle,” Zentko said. “We’re focused on continuing to grow as a team and taking things one game, one set and one point at a time.”

Eden advanced to last year’s WPIAL playoffs as the No. 2 seed in Class A and reached the semifinal round before losing a 3-2 decision to Greensburg Central Catholic, the eventual district champion.

The Warriors qualified for the PIAA playoffs by defeating St. Joseph, 3-0, in the third-place consolation round.

“There’s been a lot of mix-up within Class A this year with key players graduating and others transferring,” Zentko said. “It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.”

Zentko is in her fourth season as coach at Eden and seventh overall. She is assisted by Lindsay Oliver, Kelly Amorose and Robert Babish.

Tags: Eden Christian