Girls volleyball rankings: Section races heat up for stretch run to WPIAL playoffs

By: Michael Love
Monday, October 2, 2023 | 11:29 AM

There were no changes at the top in each of the four WPIAL classifications as the Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association released its Week 5 polls Monday morning.

Staying at No. 1 were North Allegheny in Class 4A, Hampton in Class 3A, Freeport in Class 2A and Serra Catholic in Class A.

The only slight changes near the top happened in Class 2A where Quaker Valley (No. 3) and Avonworth (No. 4) switched places from last week, and in Class A where Bishop Canevin moved up one spot to No. 2 and Frazier slid down one spot to No. 3.

There are 15 teams that entered this week undefeated in section play: North Allegheny (4-0 , Section 1-4A), Canon-McMillan (5-0, Section 2-4A), Penn-Trafford (4-0, Section 3-4A), Hampton (7-0, Section 1-3A), Thomas Jefferson (8-0, Section 3-3A), North Catholic (7-0, Section 4-3A), Beaver (8-0, Section 1-2A), Keystone Oaks (8-0, Section 2-2A), Southmoreland (11-0, Section 3-2A), Quaker Valley (8-0, Section 4-2A), Freeport (8-0, Section 5-2A), Burgettstown (7-0, Section 1-A), Frazier (8-0, Section 2-A), Bishop Canevin (7-0, Section 3-A) and Serra Catholic (Section 4-A).

Mars in Class 3A and OLSH in Class 2A each returned to the rankings after falling out in recent weeks.

The only tournament from this past weekend — South Fayette — saw Class 4A No. 2 Canon-McMillan win the 15-team event, beating Class 4A No. 8 Peters Township, 25-19, in a one-set championship final.

Each week, every WPIAL girls volleyball head coach will has the opportunity to vote for the teams who will appear in the top 10 for each classification.

Also, the Players of the Week are selected based on coaches nominations.

Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association

Week 5 rankings

Class 4A

1. North Allegheny (last week: 1)

2. Seneca Valley (2)

3. Canon-McMillan (3)

4. Penn-Trafford (4)

5. Upper St. Clair (5)

6. Pine-Richland (T-6)

7. Butler (9)

8. Peters Township (T-6)

9. North Hills (8)

10. Mt. Lebanon (10)

Out: None

Players of the week

Hayden Culp, Upper St. Clair, So., OH

Jamie Frisco, North Allegheny, Sr., RH

Scarlett Hancock, Fox Chapel, Sr., L

Channing Popovich, Butler, Jr., MH

Class 3A

1. Hampton (last week: 1)

2. North Catholic (2)

3. Thomas Jefferson (3)

4. Oakland Catholic (4)

5. South Fayette (5)

6. Armstrong (6)

7. Trinity (9)

8. Knoch (7)

T9. Mars (NR)

T9. Latrobe (10)

Out: Montour (8)

Players of the week

Haley Trosky, West Allegheny, So., OH

Aubrey Siwula, Ringgold, Sr., OH

Avery Koontz, Hampton, Sr., L

Abby Reeves, Ambridge, Jr., L

Class 2A

1. Freeport (last week: 1)

2. Beaver (2)

3. Quaker Valley (4)

4. Avonworth (3)

5. Neshannock (5)

6. Southmoreland (6)

7. Keystone Oaks (7)

8. Derry (T-10)

9. OLSH (NR)

10. South Allegheny (NR)

Out: Ellwood City (T-8), Burrell (T-8), Beaver Falls (T-10)

Players of the week

Suzie Bishop, Riverside, So., MB

Bella Perod, Neshannock, Sr., L

Zoe Ringer, Beaver, Jr., S

Marly Koleno, Apollo-Ridge, Sr., OH

Class A

1. Serra Catholic (last week: 1)

2. Bishop Canevin (3)

3. Frazier (2)

T4. Eden Christian Academy (4)

T4. Greensburg Central Catholic (6)

6. California (7)

7. Carlynton (5)

T8. Mapletown (8)

T8. Burgettstown (9)

10. West Greene (10)

Out: None

Players of the week

Gracie Patterson, Western Beaver, Sr., OH

Eva Denis, Greensburg Central Catholic, Jr., OH

Ani Cree, Carmichaels, So., MH

Hannah Kelley, Beaver County Christian, Jr., OH

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Ambridge, Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Avonworth, Beaver, Beaver County Christian, Bishop Canevin, Burgettstown, Butler, California, Canon-McMillan, Carlynton, Carmichaels, Derry Area, Eden Christian, Fox Chapel, Frazier, Freeport, Greensburg C.C., Hampton, Keystone Oaks, Knoch, Latrobe, Mapletown, Mars, Montour, Mt. lebanon, Neshannock, North Allegheny, North Catholic, North Hills, Oakland Catholic, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Penn-Trafford, Peters Township, Pine-Richland, Quaker Valley, Ringgold, Riverside, Seneca Valley, Serra Catholic, South Allegheny, South Fayette, Southmoreland, Thomas Jefferson, Trinity, Upper St. Clair, West Allegheny, West Greene, Western Beaver