Penn-Trafford girls volleyball primed for playoff run

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, October 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Penn-Trafford first-year girls volleyball coach Tracy McDonald didn’t mind the tough nonsection schedule her team faced this season.

She knew it would make them better, and it did.

The Warriors returned only three starters from the 2023 squad, so McDonald had to mix in a talented group of underclassmen if the Warriors were to achieve their goal of winning Section 3-4A and qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs.

Penn-Trafford won the section title with a 9-1 record and headed into the playoffs, which were set to begin Oct. 21, with a 10-6 overall mark. They won eight consecutive section matches after falling to Hempfield on Sept. 12.

The title didn’t come easy. The Warriors needed to show their mettle in a win against rival Norwin. The Warriors won in three sets (26-24, 26-24 and 25-9).

“Even though we had defeated Norwin a few times this season, I told the team this was its Super Bowl and expect their best,” McDonald said. “We got it. That first game was an eye opener. The team responded.”

The Warriors did drop nonsection matches to Peters Township and Shaler during that stretch.

“We kind of struggled early,” McDonald said. “(Former coach Jim Schall) believed playing tougher competition made you better. It showed the players where they needed to get to.

“We have made a lot of progress. We were playing as individuals early and now we are playing as a team.”

The trio of senior starters back are outside hitter Kylie Anthony, libero Kaci DePalma and middle hitter Kamryn Piper. Other seniors contributing are defensive specialist Vienna Kearns, setter Maclaren Cenci and right-side hitter Oliva Popovich.

Juniors contributing include defensive specialist Ella Mains, defensive specialist Eliyah McPherson and right-side hitter Rachel Ambrose. The sophomores playing key roles are middle back Ella McDonald, setter Ava Ruane and outside hitter Josie Schubert.

The team leaders in kills are Anthony (108), McDonald (102) and Piper (85). DePalma led in digs (154).

“The goal was to win the section,” McDonald said. “I know they have the fire to compete.

“They are staying levelheaded and trying to do what they do well. They know have the confidence in themselves and are eager to compete in the playoffs.”

The nonsection teams Penn-Trafford lost to — Upper St. Clair, Seneca Valley, Hampton, Peters Township and Shaler — are some of the WPIAL’s top teams.

McDonald expected North Allegheny and Canon-McMillan to be 1-2 in the seedings along with North Catholic.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn-Trafford