Senior class helps Plum volleyball tackle season’s challenges with gusto

By: Greg Macafee
Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Led by a talented eight-player senior class, the Plum girls volleyball team put together a solid season in its second year of competition in Class 4A.

After winning their first four games of the season, earning victories over Deer Lakes, Gateway, Knoch, and Connellsville while only dropping two sets, the Mustangs finished 8-7, improving their record by a game from a year ago.

“Being in 4A is a challenge in itself,” coach Rachel Satira said. “We’re not used to that level of competition, but we were up for it. We knew we had a challenge ahead of us, and I think we did much better this year than last year. Last year we finished 7-8; this year we finished 8-7. But, overall, I think we played a really good game for ourselves. We knew our strengths, knew our weaknesses. I think we did really well.”

Plum suffered three straight losses following that opening stretch before earning a thrilling five-set win over Bethel Park to get back on track. The Mustangs finished off the year by going 3-4 over their last seven matches, which included an exciting 3-2 win over Norwin.

The Mustangs’ season-ending win avenged a straight-set loss to Norwin from earlier this year, which allowed them to finish off the year on the right foot.

“The team, freshmen through seniors, all have a great work ethic,” Satira said. “They were determined, they had great expectations, and they had a great team atmosphere. So, even though we had some pretty upsetting losses, they were able to bounce back and work on their strengths and areas of improvement. They just had a great overall season.”

Plum battled through an up-and-down season that was filled with injuries and a tough conference schedule that included three teams that punched their tickets to the Class 4A playoffs. Despite that, the senior class found its own way to compete.

Senior Aubrianna Collins played as the Mustangs’ libero and “carried the back row,” Satira said, while Mackenzie Marotta showcased her versatility by working in a variety of roles as she moved from outside hitter to setter at times.

Senior Mia Waitt was another contributor who helped the Mustangs tally their eight wins. She worked as an outside hitter and provided exceptional defense in the back row. Addison Then and Riley Stephans were also key players from Satira’s senior class who left a lasting impact on the program.

“This group was every coach’s dream,” Satira said. “Their work ethic, their drive, the atmosphere, their dedication — it was a joy to coach them. They paved the way for the girls below them. I said to the younger girls after our last game, ‘We have big shoes to fill,’ because this senior class showed those younger girls exactly what it meant to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

While the Mustangs were senior-heavy, they also had underclassmen who stepped up into big roles this season. Among them was junior middle blocker Amber Porter, who was playing in her first year of high school volleyball.

“She made a name for herself,” Satira said. “She looked really good. She helped us out a lot.”

Sophomore Brooklyn Then, junior setter Mia Murrio, junior defensive specialist Ella Pedley and junior Kennedy Soper all played important roles as well.

Satira said her list of players who played a role could go on and on, and while she’s losing a talented senior class, she’s excited about what she’s bringing back next year as well. But it goes beyond the product that they put on the court. It’s about the relationships and the culture that they have built.

“Everyone was a family,” Satira said. “Everyone was a small community. Even the parents said how well everyone got along this year, and that goes a long way. You don’t want to play with people you don’t like, but we didn’t have any of that this year. We were a small family, and that truly helped us.”

Greg Macafee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Greg by email at gmacafee@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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