Veteran lineup returns for Penn Hills girls volleyball

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 30, 2018 | 10:54 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

The Penn Hills girls volleyball team will lean on a more athletic and experienced roster this year to improve on a two-win season from a year ago.

The Indians will be led by senior middle hitter Kelsey Lydic and senior outside hitter Deshaya Chavis.

Penn Hills has to replace the production provided by outside hitter Becca Miller, a second-team Section 4-4A all-star last year.

Coach Jay Mitlo expects a group effort from Lydic, Chavis, junior outside hitter Yasmine Logan and others to step in to fill Miller’s shoes.

“We’re more of a balanced team. Last year, with Rebecca, everybody knew the kill was going to come from Rebecca. This year, I have six attackers that are comfortable with setting a ball,” Mitlo said.

“We have better ball control this year, so we can diversify our offense in system, and I think the athleticism will come into play when we’re out of system where we have to scramble and scrap to get a play or point.”

With the limited numbers, many on the team last season earned plenty of playing experience. This season, Mitlo is intrigued to see the growth and development of sophomore middle hitter Faith Crawford.

“She’s a natural blocker. As her offense comes along, it’s already complemented by her blocking. I’ve coached for 25 years and there are just people who can block and people who can’t block,” Mitlo said.

“You can maybe fine-tune it, but from what I’ve seen over the years people have the natural ability to do a very unnatural thing. Your hands have to be spread a little bit wider than you would think. She has a great jumping ability and good timing.”

Penn Hills also returns junior setter Colleen Hoolahan, who received Section 4-4A honorable mention recognition last year.

Mitlo has been trying to instill three points to the players heading into the season — trust the team, be open and honest as well as vulnerable with each other and to mutually give. Mitlo believes this team philosophy should also be applied to his players’ lives outside of volleyball.

The Indians will move to Section 3-4A and compete against Hempfield, Connellsville and Norwin, who all qualified for the WPIAL playoffs last season. The Indians also face Latrobe, Penn-Trafford and Plum.

Chavis has been stressing to her teammates the need to have a short memory and take care of the task at hand.

“We’re just trying to focus on one thing at a time. We’re trying to focus on one game, and we’re focused on ourselves. We need to focus on the things that we need to do in order for us to win,” Chavis said.

“I’m just trying to motivate everybody. I’m trying to get everybody to think about the next play and not focus on the one that someone that might have passed bad or hit bad. You have to move on from it and do better each and every play.”

The Indians will host a three-team tournament with Woodland Hills and Trinity Christian on Sept. 8.

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn Hills