Norwin volleyball enters 2nd half of season ranked 7th

By: Nathan Smith
Friday, April 19, 2019 | 8:48 PM

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There are many ways for a coach to measure success. For Norwin volleyball coach Nick Fallone, it comes down to how much has his team grown.

So far this season, the Knights have been on a bit of a growth spurt. The second-year coach said his team has improved in several important areas since the first serve of the year.

“We have been limiting unforced errors,” Fallone said. “That has been a focus for us in practice. We are also learning to overcome adversity. As coaches, we have seen our ability to stay up when the going gets tough. We also continue to have good first contact.

“If our first contact is good contact, we are going to be a tough team.”

Norwin (5-3, 4-2) came in at No. 7 in the latest Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Top 10. The Knights had plenty of company in the rankings as five of the seven Section 3-3A teams made the cut. Latrobe led the way at No. 4, Hempfield was No. 5, Penn-Trafford was No. 8 and Armstrong was No. 10.

“It is the Wild West of the WPIAL,” Fallone said. “One team can take out another team any night. The schedule can make you lose sleep over games. But it’s fun.”

Outside hitter Joey Ferragonio has been a force for the Knights. The 6-foot-2 junior is leading the team in kills with more than 70. In a 3-2 win over Penn-Trafford on April 17, he finished with 26 kills.

“He is such a good athlete,” Fallone said. “(Ferragonio) is an explosive athlete who has been around the game since he could walk. He is a big offensive threat and knows how to score points.”

Ferragonio had a standout sophomore season, receiving third-team All-WPIAL honors. But as he has grown, the staff has put more responsibility in his hands.

“He has the ability to now take over games,” Fallone said. “That is something we have stressed. Before it was more of keep it simple and limit errors. We gave him the green light to go for it.”

Fellow outside hitter Jake Williams has also been a catalyst on offense. The Geneva recruit has more than 40 kills this season.

“He brings a calm comfort to the court,” Fallone said. “He has steady hands and does whatever it takes.”

Senior Jakob Binas has been strong at libero. Fallone said he is all over the court and has been particularly strong on the serve-receive.

“Our setter (Cameron Polczynski) is a first-year setter,” Fallone said. “He is a junior and has grown a lot.”

With the Knights entering the second swing of the schedule, Fallone knows his team has to improve to contend for the section crown. The Knights have several showdowns with ranked teams.

“We need to be able to go on offensive runs and string points together,” Fallone said. “We need to continue to avoid unforced errors, and we need to be a strong serving team. We’re not a big team, so serving is our ally.”

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