Thomas Jefferson volleyball claims 5th straight Big South tournament

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 | 5:30 PM

The Thomas Jefferson girls volleyball team opened the 2017 season in championship fashion — for the fifth year in a row.

The Jaguars won the Big South tournament held at Ringgold on Labor Day weekend, defeating Trinity, 2-1, in the championship round.

Earlier in the tournament, the TJ girls rolled past Keystone Oaks, South Allegheny and West Mifflin by 2-0 scores; then blanked Steel Valley, 2-0, in the semifinal round.

“We looked good,” coach Ron Kelly said. “This is a young team that will get better and better. We're starting to settle into a lineup even though girls are still battling for starting positions. I'm looking forward to getting section play started.”

The Jaguars, who have won the Big South tournament for five consecutive years, are led this season by Morgan Yurkovich, a 5-foot-8 senior setter, and Makayla Falk, a 5-5 senior outside hitter. Both are third-year starters who were all-section selections a year ago.

“My expectations for the team this year haven't changed from any other year. I expect us to win our section, then WPIALs, then go to states,” Falk said. “Our team looked great at the Big South tournament. We won the championship, just as I expected us to.

“Everyone on our team gets along very well, which makes for a great connection on the court.”

Yurkovich, also a two-time all-WPIAL selection, recently made a verbal commitment to continue her volleyball career at Pitt-Johnstown.

Yurkovich and Falk are joined in the starting lineup by outside hitter Tanner Patrick; middle hitters Sarah Fullard and Tyler Turk; right-side hitters Savannah Vernet and Natasha Yanief; libero Sydney Moran; and back row specialists Julia Micklo and Julia Fiedor.

Fullard and Vernet, both seniors, and Moran and Micklo, both juniors, also were starters a year ago. Patrick, Turk and Yanief are sophomores; Fiedor is a junior.

“With the beginning of every season, having new players on the varsity line, we just have to make sure we know how to work as a team,” Fullard said. “So far, I feel confident we are on the right track. We work hard and push each other to do our best.

“I thought we looked really good (at the Big South tournament). We worked hard and pushed all day, and I am very proud of my team. Our hard work paid off. “

Fullard, at 5-11, is one of the tallest players on the team. She is a third-year letter winner, and last year was a member of the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball club program.

“Personally, I want to make sure I bring my best to the court every game,” Fullard said. “I'm really trying to work on my hitting and blocking, and just being a more confident player all-around.

“I'm just really excited to see what my team will accomplish this year. We have all the makings for a great season.”

The Jaguars' reserves include seniors Hailey Trainer (OH), Megan Birch (OH), Nicole Saltzman (DS) and Mimi Werderber (DS); and juniors Mia Como (DS), Jaqueline Rush (RS), Haleigh Karcher (OH) and Alanna Lynch (MH).

Other sophomore team members are outside hitters Kaitlyn Urbanowicz, Ashleigh Haines, Julia Putignano and Isabella Bucy; setter Abby Chalovich; and defensive specialists Jenna Kisner and Anna Janosko. Freshman prospects include Jacqueline Guenther (DS), Celia Dobransky (L), Paige Ramsey (OH), Jenna Fox (S), Alexys Wagner (DS), Abby Thompson (OH), Claire Whalen (S), Lillian Rockwell (MH) and Jordan Snyder (S).

Thomas Jefferson has won five consecutive section titles, seven in the past eight seasons, and 20 in school history.

The Jaguars finished undefeated at 12-0 in Section 3 in Class AAA last season.

NET NOTES: Fullard and Falk, both National Honor Society members with 3.8 and 3.7 grade-point averages, respectively, participate in the Big Jag Little Cub club at TJ.

“What we do is everyone gets a pen pal from either McClellan Elementary, Gill Hall Elementary or Jefferson Elementary,” said Fullard, “and we just write to each other back and forth throughout the year, and ask each other questions and try to get to know one another.”

“In Big Jag Little Cub,” said Falk, “we have a second grade pen pal, (and) we write back and forth.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson