Fox Chapel volleyball in search of consistency

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Fox Chapel girls volleyball team is in search of a consistent second hitter. Foxes coach Diana Andreyko saw flashes of what Lucy DiRocco can bring to the table Sept. 16 against Penn Hills.

DiRocco finished with a team-high nine kills as the Foxes swept the Indians, 25-15, 25-22, 25-5, in Section 4-4A play. DiRocco’s sister, Emma, is Fox Chapel’s most consistent hitter.

Emma was second in the team in kills against Penn Hills, finishing with eight along with seven service aces.

Andreyko believes Fox Chapel (2-3, 2-1) will see the hitting improve as the serve receive does as well.

“It’s a constant up-and-down movement,” Andreyko said. “There’s never a consistent sort of smooth sailing or anything to it. The hitting is definitely something we are lacking.”

The Foxes proved something against Penn Hills. Fox Chapel has the ability to dig itself out of lulls of poor play.

The Foxes overcame a 18-13 deficit in the second set to trip up the Indians (1-4, 0-2). Emma DiRocco’s serve helped turn the momentum.

In addition to the DiRocco sisters, Sophie Jacobs, Guiliana Foley, Mari Ramirez and Sadie Gass had kills for the Foxes.

Penn Hills setter KJ McGee said Fox Chapel did a better job of anticipating what shots the Indians were looking for.

“We found them in the second set, and I guess we got a little bit unlucky in the third because they were able to hide those sets or those spots,” McGee said.

Andreyko said that Fox Chapel has done a lot of things with its lineup to generate a more consistent attack. The Foxes brought in 5-foot-6 freshman outside hitter Sasha Pechersky to add punch to the attack during another section match.

“Right now, unfortunately, we are struggling with girls stepping into their roles.” Andreyko said. “We have a lot of inexperienced players and youth. Last week against Woodland Hills, I had a JV player who I have on my varsity roster come up and step in. If it comes to that, the ninth graders will have to step in. I will pull the ninth graders to come up and do the job.”

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