Penn Hills girls volleyball team looks up to Pitt players

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Previous Next

Penn Hills junior setter KJ McGee was thrilled to have the opportunity to work on the ball rotation team during the State Farm Volleyball Classic Labor Day weekend at PPG Paints Arena.

McGee loves watching the highly ranked Pitt women’s volleyball team in action. She was one of many members of the Penn Hills boys and girls volleyball team who worked the two-day event that featured Arizona State, Penn State, Pitt and TCU.

“Because I’ve been around Pitt a lot, I’ve already known them, but it was good to actually see them in a playing environment and being there with my team,” McGee said. “I know a lot of the girls on the team want to be that, and I’m one of those girls. It was a wonderful experience for us to do together.”

McGee has had a few opportunities to see the players up close. She regularly has attended clinics with the team since she started playing volleyball in seventh grade.

“I feel like I’ve grown a small bond,” McGee said.

Indians outside hitter Zakeira Montini appreciated seeing how the Panthers approached the matches.

“Their attitudes and mostly how they played,” Montini said. “I took that away, and that’s how I tried to incorporate it into my game.”

The Indians (1-4, 0-2) hope more repetitions for their team, plus the other learning they’ve done from watching college matches, will help the program challenge for wins in section play.

Penn Hills coach Raymond Ager III said he would like to find a way to be more creative on the attack. The Indians aren’t going to be able to overpower opponents.

Penn Hills was swept by Fox Chapel 25-15, 25-22, 25-5 at home Sept. 16.

“We have to figure out a way, which means, thinking, tipping and intentional hits,” Ager said. “We need to know where we’re hitting the ball and not just swinging away. That’s the focus. If we do that, we can mask our deficiency with hitters.”

McGee has brought plenty of energy for Penn Hills. She works throughout the match to get her teammates pumped up.

“She’s a spark plug,” Ager said. “I’m trying to teach her to use her voice and be more of a leader, so I’m pushing her there. She’s getting there. She has really come out of her shell.”

McGee hasn’t had a problem showing off her tenacity. Since she played sports, McGee said it’s something that has been pointed out to her.

“I always get told I’m a very intense person so I would say that my intensity carries me a lot,” McGee said. “I do get in my head. I’m trying to take accountability for that, fix it and try to get better. The way I explain it, I go out and play. I do what I do.”

During the Indians’ most recent match, they surged ahead to an 18-13 lead in the second set. It appeared Penn Hills may be able to steal a set.

But Fox Chapel’s Emma DiRocco scored a kill to turn the momentum and the Foxes battled back at the service line.

Montini said Penn Hills has made progress. She would like to see that continue.

“I’ve seen a lot of progress and effort,” Montini said. “We need more reps and maybe need to hit more in practice.”

Tags: Penn Hills