Shaler girls volleyball players relish experience at national tournament

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, July 20, 2018 | 6:25 PM

Emily Peterson relished in the pace at the AAU girls volleyball national tournament in late June. The Shaler sophomore knew there would be resting as she competed as a member of the 15U Premier Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball team.

“The main concern for me was the sets were so fast and more speedy than we were used to,” Peterson said. “I had to make sure I got my block up. When it’s faster, it’s more fun overall. You don’t know what you are missing until you play at a higher level.”

Getting a taste of that type of competition drew four girls from the Titans program to compete in Orlando in late June. Incoming freshmen Sierra Ricci, Mia Schubert and Addison Kania also took part. Kania played with Peterson, while Ricci and Schubert each played on the 14U elite team.

While none of the individual teams placed, all involved feel better from the experience.

A big part of adapting came with learning how to handle when things went sideways.

“We definitely brought up the level,” Kania said. “We found about halfway through we needed the excitement and more pep. That was what brought our game down. We wanted to play up to the team’s we are facing.”

Being able to adjust against faster and sometimes more experienced teams required patience. Getting a few kill attempts blocked weren’t going to discourage Schubert, who plays outside hitter.

“They had faster players and communicated well,” Schubert said. “We had to be smart and see the court and see the open spots defenses weren’t playing.”

Ricci, who was making her first appearance at nationals, felt things started to slow down as the week went on. The game started to slow down a bit mentally once she was able to play a few games.

“It helps prepare me for high school volleyball, playing against the greater competition,” Ricci said. “I feel like at the beginning it was harder. As we got used to it, it got easier.”

Everyone is hoping to bring the same enthusiasm to the Shaler program this fall. The Titans finished 3-7 in Section 1-4A last season, sneaking into the WPIAL playoffs with a fifth-place finish.

“I feel like the training has prepared me because I’ve really focused in on skills specific to my position,” Peterson said. “I feel the conditioning has prepared me for anything we can encounter during school season.”

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.