Motivated by down year, Shaler girls volleyball gets back on track

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, October 27, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Anna (Bozzo) Carter was disappointed following the end of last season.

Only winning four matches and finishing in third place in the section wasn’t what Carter believed the Titans program is capable of.

Entering the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs this season, Carter can say that everyone in the program took up the mantle of self-improvement. The Titans more than tripled their win total from last season, finishing the regular season 13-5.

Shaler went 10-0 in section play. This was the Titans first section title since they shared the crown with North Allegheny in 2021.

“We were fortunate to have players who wanted to work hard in the offseason,” Carter said. “Last year didn’t show off Shaler Area’s best volleyball. All of their hard work has paid off.”

The fifth-seeded Titans were scheduled to host Latrobe during the first round of the WPIAL playoffs in a match after the deadline for this edition.

Adding to Shaler’s volleyball tradition means a lot to junior setter Bella Hoffman. She started playing volleyball in fifth grade and attended a lot of varsity matches in middle school.

“I watched a lot of those teams that won the section in the past,” Hoffman said. “It meant a lot to win one with my team.”

Following a first-round exit in the playoffs against Peters Township last year, Hoffman said the team worked all offseason to turn their fortunes around.

“We started lifting before last school year ended,” Hoffman said. “We’ve been putting in more effort to our season.”

What has helped Hoffman get Shaler’s offense moving is the variety that the Titans have to offer in the attack. Sophomore outside hitter Aubrey Blank has developed into a strong option for the Titans.

Outside hitter Emma Dadowski, middle hitters Chloe Grimes and Courtney O’Brien as well as right-side Octavia Dixon all provide threats to put balls away.

“I think it’s hard to scout us,” Carter said. “It’s hard to defend us. With Bella having so many options, she knows they can handle it. They can put the ball away or put opponents’ defenses in a tough position.”

Carter said Shaler has enjoyed seeing some new section opponents over the past few seasons. The Titans were in the meat grinder of a section that featured seven-time defending state champion North Allegheny for a long time.

“We travel a lot farther to games,” Carter said. “There are some long bus rides. I love the competition. The section is the rough in Class 4A volleyball. We miss that competition a bit, but the long bus rides have helped us grow closer.”

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