Sewickley Herald notebook: Sewickley Academy to debut girls volleyball team

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, August 24, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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There is a brand-new sport — girls volleyball — being played at Sewickley Academy this fall.

The Panthers, coached by Julia Arlia, will host their first home match at Means Events Center on Sept. 8 against Aliquippa, starting at 6:30 p.m.

“We are extremely excited to launch our first girls volleyball team this year,” said Mike Scerbo, Sewickley’s director of athletics. “We have had a tremendous turnout with 17 girls on the roster. Our goals for the year are to establish a love of the game and grow as a team.”

Arlia has had an extensive playing career in volleyball.

She was a four-year member of the club team at Duquesne University, where she was the starting setter and captain. She also played five years of club volleyball at Pitt United and four years at the varsity level at North Hills.

Most recently, Arlia finished her fifth season coaching in the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Association. She also has experience working as an assistant at both North Hills and Avonworth.

High football IQ

Intelligence both on and off the field plays a major factor in the performance of a high school athlete, particularly at the quarterback position.

It appears Quaker Valley has a proficient QB in Atticus Barr, an athletic 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior and multiple-year starter. Barr also is expected to play defense this season.

“Atticus Barr is a smart young man,” QV coach Tom Eshenbaugh said. “He has 4.26 GPA, and he is really a sponge.”

Eshenbaugh is in his first season as the Quakers’ field boss. His son Gavin is a former QV football player. The Gavin family resides in Leetsdale.

“We are excited to welcome Tom back to Quaker Valley as our head football coach,” athletic director Mike Mastroianni said. “Tom has always demonstrated outstanding leadership, and we look forward to his guidance and mentorship of our entire football program.

“I am sure he is planning to make sure we are winning in all areas of our program and laying a strong foundation for our younger players to follow.”

Winning coach

Coaching the championship squad at the Queens of the ‘Burg volleyball tournament.

That’s the answer for 21-year-old Elena Arnold when asked how she spent part of her summer vacation.

Arnold became involved in the third annual Queens tournament at the All American Field House in Monroeville for the first time, coaching the Foxes team to the tournament title.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the event,” she said. “John (Skapura) did a great job running it and celebrating these girls and making it feel official.

“I wish it was something we had when I was in high school.”

Arnold was a standout volleyball player at Eden Christian Academy where she played for four seasons. She currently is a 6-foot-1 right-side hitter as a redshirt junior at Rollins College, located in Winter Park, Fla.

Her younger sister Ava is a 5-9 senior outside hitter at Eden and was a member of the Foxes squad this summer.

Home cooking

Quaker Valley’s boys soccer team has what appears to be a favorable schedule in 2025 — starting with four consecutive home games at Chuck Knox Stadium.

The Quakers host Serra Catholic (Aug. 26), Trinity Christian (Aug. 28), Aquinas Academy (Sept. 2) then Eden Christian (Sept. 4), which is their section opener. All four are afternoon matchups.

In all, QV will play 10 games on its home turf compared to seven away games.

Working overtime

Sewickley Academy’s girls soccer team participated four overtimes with co-section champion Seton LaSalle a year ago. Sewickley and Seton staged a 2-2 tie Sept. 9 that lasted two overtimes; the Rebels edged the Panthers, 3-2, on Oct. 2 again in two extra periods. Quincy Sirko and Emma Eannarino netted goals for Sewickley in the first game. Makenzie Dice collected both goals for the Panthers in the second matchup.

Holiday trip

The Quaker Valley girls varsity basketball team will be competing in a holiday tournament in Orlando this December and fundraisers are underway to help the team.

The Quakers already have received great community support but are continuing to seek corporate sponsors. To donate or for more information, visit Instagram @qvgirlsbasketballboosters.

Friendly rivals

Annabel Miko is a high-scoring junior forward on the Quaker Valley girls soccer team

Two of Miko’s best friends — Marin and Gabby Edwards — are defensive specialists in the Sewickley Academy girls soccer program.

“It’s always fun to play against Sewickley Academy,” Miko said. “They have high-level players and an awesome coach.”

Did you know?

Did you know that Quaker Valley senior midfielder Ari Bosh’s full first name is Ariana?

“But everyone does call me Ari,” she said.

Tags: Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy