Fisher’s files: Senior captain sees growth in Sewickley Academy girls lacrosse team

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, April 28, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Libby Eannarino’s distinguished three-sport career at Sewickley Academy continues.

The 5-foot-9 senior was a high-scoring backcourt player in basketball, a midfielder in soccer and currently is a midfielder on the Sewickley girls lacrosse team. She has served as captain in all three sports.

Eannarino also competes for Sky Walkers Lacrosse in the offseason.

She was an all-star selection in 2023 in WPIAL Class 3A Section 1, along with teammate Ashley Close, also a senior midfielder this year.

Eannarino scored her 100th career goal in lacrosse last season against Peters Township and was looking forward to adding to her career scoring total this spring.

“We’ve had several games canceled or rescheduled, but I’d say that despite our small size, we’re improving every game,” Eannarino said. “We’ve had a couple of close games so far and, while some went our way, some didn’t, and we’re just looking forward to getting better each day and continuing to play at a high level through May.

“One of our freshmen, Sofia DiCicco, has stepped in as our goalie having never played that role before, and she’s doing an amazing job. Kendall Sykes, another senior on the team, is our leader on attack and she does an awesome job helping to lead the offense and the underclassmen on attack. Ashley Close, our other (senior) captain, excels at taking the draw and moving the ball through the midfield.”

QV tennis locked in

There is a palpable sense of urgency within the Quaker Valley boys tennis program.

“The urgency comes from the fact that on a team of 10 varsity players, we have seven seniors,” coach Christi Hays said. “They understand that we need to take advantage of the depth and talent because next year we will be rebuilding once again. Most of them hit the courts in the offseason with a vengeance.”

The Quakers have been led in 2024 by eight players back from last year’s team: seniors Chase Merkel Joe Veeck, Matteo Castellini, Grant Webb, Will Watson, Brahm Gianiodis and Jason Clark and junior Matthew Henry.

Sophomore Tanner Schultz and freshman Will Meagher have provided valuable depth to the QV lineup. Meagher, in fact, secured the No. 3 singles position early in the season.

“If I am completely honest, we have more depth and versatility than almost any (QV) squad in the last few years,” Hays said. “Many of the boys are equally adept at singles and doubles. That can be a blessing but also a challenge, so we have talked about having a more fluid lineup than in recent years.”

Webb said the Quakers are gearing for a strong finish to the WPIAL season.

“I expect great success this year for our team,” Webb said. “We are very deep and have a great group of players all working toward one common goal — success.

“Our starting lineup is primarily seniors, so vibes are good and everyone is playing well and enjoying the season. We’re looking forward to the WPIAL team tournament.”

Merkel, the team’s No. 1 singles player, owns a 3.5 GPA. He plans to make a big out-of-state move after his high school graduation.

“As to my plans for college, I’m not set on a school yet,” Merkel said, “but I’m in between going to North Carolina State and Arizona State.”

SA tennis looking good

Sewickley Academy’s boys tennis team is anticipating making a deep run in the WPIAL Class 2A tournament this spring.

“This team has a unique blend of talent and upperclassman leadership,” freshman Ben Terrell said. “This is why I believe that with the personnel we have on this team, we are prepared to give our best effort in trying to make it as deep as possible in the WPIAL (playoffs) and hopefully in states if we qualify.

“We are an energetic team that plays together, and I hope we continue to have that same energy moving forward. Also, we are led by one of the most winningest coaches in WPIAL history, so our team is in good hands moving forward.”

Max Kopf, another top freshman, believes the talent on this year’s squad will carry the Panthers on a long run in the postseason.

“This is an incredibly talented team,” Kopf said, “and even one of the best (at QV) in the past few years. We have some great leadership from our captains, and we are all holding great hope for a WPIAL championship and more.”

Memorable win

Quaker Valley’s first Section 2-3A win in softball was of the impressive variety.

QV stormed past Beaver Falls, 9-3, as winning pitcher Olivia Hoose struck out 11 and belted an RBI double.

Grace Carver also tripled and drove in three runs for the Quakers.

There are no seniors and only two juniors on the QV softball team. Hoose and Carver are sophomores.

Lacrosse shutout

Sophomore center midfielder Lucy Roig scored five goals and senior attacker Sydney Hewitt had a hat trick as Quaker Valley shut out Ambridge, 18-0, April 22 in a Section 2-2A girls lacrosse matchup.

Senior attacker Kendall Foster, sophomore MF Alexa Westwood and freshman MF Annabel Miko added two goals apiece for QV, which improved to 3-3 in the section and 3-4 overall.

Tags: Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy