Shaler girls volleyball making adjustments with eye on finishing season strong

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Sophie Spynda faced the prospect of seeing a lot of new faces and personalities. After more than a month at Shaler, the 6-foot-2 junior middle blocker is getting used to life in a new school district.

Spynda attended Allderdice last year.

“It’s been kind of hard, coming in and not having many friends,” Spynda said. “I know a few people on the team, but overall, adjusting playing-wise isn’t as hard as it seems. I am still getting used to some things.”

Shaler senior setter Bella Hoffman said the Titans have been doing their best to help Spynda fit into their community.

“We’ve all tried to be supportive with her, in the hallways, in the class or no matter where we are,” Hoffman said. “We’re always trying to talk to her and trying to make her feel welcomed. It’s hard adjusting as a new player.”

The Titans, collectively, are making adjustments after a string of tough matches to open the year. Shaler (2-3, 1-0) snapped a three-game slide in its Section 4-4A opener by knocking off Fox Chapel, 3-0, on Sept. 9 at home.

Titans coach Annie (Bozzo) Carter is proud of how Spynda has stepped into the lineup.

“It’s a hard adjustment to make in your junior year,” Carter said. “We’ve talked a lot about that. We want to make sure it’s one step at a time and focusing on her play and jelling with the team first, and her connection and everything, that will come. She’s doing a great job.”

During its losing skid, Shaler lost to defending WPIAL Class 3A champion Mars, defending PIAA champion North Allegheny and perennial power Pine-Richland.

Senior setter Bella Hoffman said it has been a good learning experience for the Titans. Shaler will have plenty of opportunities to win matches in what should be a competitive section.

“We haven’t really taken the matches personally,” Hoffman said. “We knew they were going to be tough games, and we knew we had to work hard for them. We talked very early about not letting the beginning of this season define us.”

Hoffman is in charge of leading an attack with plenty of options. Octavia Dixon and Aubrey Blank are two options at outside hitter.

Addy Kolakowski is another middle blocker who can help in several areas. Jordyn Russell shifted from outside to right-side hitter.

Megan Wilson and Teagan Orga serve as defensive specialists.

“I can trust all of my teammates to put down a good ball,” Hoffman said. “We’ve grown exponentially. There’s not one player that is our main hitter. Everyone has the strength to bring to the team, so that’s helpful.”

Spynda hopes to help Shaler battle for first place in the section.

“I’m just trying to come in and play my game,” Spynda said. “It’s really competitive. The team is totally different here.”

Tags: Shaler