Revitalized Chartiers Valley girls volleyball program rockets up section standings

By: Ted Sarneso
Sunday, September 22, 2024 | 11:01 AM

When the Chartiers Valley girls volleyball team beat South Fayette in a three-set sweep Sept. 10 to match its win total from last year, coach Mackenzie Greene was not on the bench.

She was in Louisiana tending to some family matters but was sent video of the entire match and could not have been happier for her team.

“I’ve never been more excited for a win,” Greene said. “Parents were messaging me after the win that the gym was crazy and there was so much support for these girls. That’s what’s been driving their success.”

The Colts have jumped out to a hot start this year, going 5-0 overall and 4-0 in Section 1-3A.

“It is amazing,” said Greene, “just thinking about how we’re already ahead, winning only two section games last year. We’re on the uphill climb.”

The Colts were 4-11 overall and 2-10 in section play last year and finished in last place for the second straight year. Chartiers Valley hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020, when they went 5-7, and haven’t finished with a winning record since 2019.

Greene attributes last year’s disappointing results to the team getting acclimated to her coaching style.

“They had to take on a little more responsibility — punctuality, being a student athlete and making sure they were communicating with each other,” Greene said. “I set out to alter the program and make it my own.”

The changes were seen immediately as the team trained hard all offseason and in the preseason at Sky Elite in Pittsburgh, where Greene also coaches.

“I could see that their mentality had changed,” Greene said. “I had 20 girls at every session. They all wanted to compete for a starting position, to improve.”

The enthusiasm the players showed prior to the season hasn’t let up. They come to practice ready, focused and never take a day off. They’ve even resorted to asking Greene for more practices during the week.

“We look forward to going to practices under coach Greene,” said senior Addison Varnish. “Everyone wants to get better, and coach is going to make sure we improve. Practices are really competitive, which creates a high level of volleyball.”

“The atmosphere at practice is amazing,” said fellow senior Kaylie Baumgart. “Coach is always engaged, giving us feedback. We want more because we know we have it in us to be great, to be better.”

Varnish and Baumgart are captains, and Greene is thankful to have their leadership skills.

“They read my mind better than anyone else on the team,” Greene said. “I have two assistants, but they are like having two more. They get their teammates to practice on time and send them film to watch, highlighting what to focus on. Both those girls are truly invested.”

Both captains are filling leadership roles left vacant by graduating seniors Kelly Daughtry and Sarah Harris.

Daughtry was the team’s libero last season and Harris, who was third team all-section, was a captain and played both in the back row and as an outside hitter.

“Kelly was a great athlete and worked very hard,” said Greene. “Sarah was a true leader and role model for most of our girls. She will be a huge loss for sure.”

Baumgart, a middle hitter who was an all-section second-team selection last year, and Varnish, who is averaging 30 assists this season as one of the team’s setters, are two of five returning starters.

Joining them on the court are senior defensive specialist Emerson Kutschbach, senior middle hitter Iyla Ozbey and senior setter Carly Buck. All worked extensively for their club teams in the offseason and are a major reason for the Colts’ turnaround.

“Baumgart went to Pitt Elite, Varnish at Pitt United, Kutschbach was at Sky Elite and Buck at Renaissance,” said Greene. “They gained a lot from their experiences and brought back lessons that they have taught my juniors, sophomores and freshmen.”

Because of her senior’s assistance in bringing along the underclassmen, Greene has a deeply talented bench to rotate into matches.

Junior Sophia Russell, freshman Peyton Friburger and three sophomores in Megan Dumpan, Isabella Fries and Tessa Zemaitis who dressed varsity last year are all seeing valuable minutes this year.

“Russell has worked so hard,” said Greene. “Friburger is really showing how the game is supposed to be played, averaging 10-15 kills a game. She’s still learning and adapting to the varsity level, but she’s extremely coachable.

“As for my sophomore trio, they’re pushing the limits right up there with our seniors, pushing them for starting minutes. They’re very noticeable on our back row and their serving and receiving are on point.”

After their win against South Fayette, the Colts beat Oakland Catholic, 3-1. It’s a great start to the team’s goal of winning the section, but Greene knows the competition will only get tougher.

“There isn’t one game where I or the players step into and feel like it’s going to be a relief,” said Greene. “I’m always stressed, always excited, because you never know what can happen in a match.”

Whatever happens, the players have faith in Greene and the new brand of volleyball she’s brought to the school.

“You can see the growth and change in mindset,” said Baumgart. “We’ve had the talent over the last few years. We just haven’t been able to mesh together.”

Said Varinsh: “She’s the toughness our team kind of needed. She’s the glue that holds us together. Her knowledge is so deep, it’s been a real help to us.”

This is the team Greene has always wanted — one that would work hard and give her as much as she has given them.

“This is the team I’ve found,” said Greene. “I’ve had some opportunities to move, but I would never leave this team. They’re invested, give me 100 percent, and that’s all a coach can ask for. I think they can achieve anything they put their minds to and they’re doing it.”

Tags: Chartiers Valley