Vibes positive in North Hills volleyball program after strong start
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Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 11:01 AM
North Hills’ Sofia Rodriguez (l) and Aslyn Fazio go up for a block against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Niamh Greer plays the ball against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Kate Batykefer hits against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Maddie Korbel sets against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Leah Smith plays the ball against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Addi Zdinak hits against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Emmy Schall and Bailey McKee defend against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Aslyn Fazio hits against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Addi Zdinak hits against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Jana Miller plays against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills coach AnnaLise Shank gives instructions during a match against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Addi Zdinak hits against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Kate Batykefer hits against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Windsor Ussack defends against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
North Hills’ Aslyn Fazio hits against North Catholic on Sept. 9.
AnnaLise Shank wasn’t afraid of the challenge when she took on the responsibility to lead a North Hills volleyball program that has trudged through some tough seasons of late. And that confidence and positive mindset seems to be rubbing off.
Shank, in her first season with the Indians, has seen significant progress with her team in the early stages of the 2025 campaign.
“I always tell people when I interview, and then I even tell my girls, I wasn’t scared by the fact they had zero (section) wins last year,” said Shank. “I didn’t know what their culture was like, but honestly, the girls, their culture amongst themselves, it’s great. They’ve been so welcoming and kind. Their attitudes could be so far down, and they’re not. I saw that over the entire summer.”
North Hills finished last season 3-13 and 0-10 in Section 2-4A. The program has won just five section matches over the last three seasons. But times may be changing.
The Indians, as of Sept. 8, held a record of 4-1, surpassing last year’s nonsection win total with victories over Avonworth, Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon and Quaker Valley.
“From the girls’ perspective, I’ve talked to them, and they said they feel as though we’re playing way better in the beginning of the season than they were last year,” said Shank, who previously coached River Valley High School for a year, taking over a team that was winless the year prior. “They’re having more fun. They feel like they’re playing more cohesively, playing together better.”
One area that has certainly paid dividends for Shank has been depth. The Indians returned 23 players from last year’s team, has 34 players between varsity and junior varsity and also sports a group with seven seniors.
“The seniors have definitely brought that seasoned-ness into the program, and they’re all ready for a good season,” she said. “I do feel as though the season is trending in a very good direction. We’ve gotten off to a great start.
“Our win against Mt. Lebanon was huge. It went to five sets, and it wasn’t anything that was easy. The girls fought for it, and I think what we took away from that, and what I wanted them to get from me as a coach, was just that they’ve proved to themselves, and us as coaches, that they’re capable.”
On the floor, Ashlyn Fazio has taken the reins as a senior leader with deep experience in both high school and club volleyball. She and junior Kate Batykefer have been strong at the pins. Libero Niamh Greer has emerged as a solid glue player and Madeleine Korbel, who will likely play Division I or Division II lacrosse in college, has brought an athletic presence to the court.
Still, there are areas that need improvement. And if North Hills is going to complete a turnaround beyond a better nonsection record, Shank knows that those improvements need to come soon.
“We do pretty good at the service line, but when we’re not doing so good, it’s just like we’re going point for point, and we’re not capitalizing,” she said. “Whenever we’re getting that first side-out point, we get maybe one or two, and we’re not getting as big of a run as I would like.
“And I tell the girls every single day — they’re probably already tired of hearing it — but it’ll never stop, is that there’s volleyball and there’s skill, but there’s another level of it when you bring your brain into it. I’m very big on making sure that we’re thinking and doing what’s best for the ball and the play, rather than just throwing up a shot and doing whatever we want with it.”
Shank is building her program with positivity and respect as the core values. She has heard compliments from opposing coaches about the respectful nature of her team before, during and after matches — no matter the outcome. And the positivity appears to be growing, especially as the wins pile up.
“The girls know they still need to work, but they’re having fun, and it shows, and that’s what matters the most,” Shank said. “The parents have seen a change. They’ve said how much their daughters are getting a love back for the sport.
“Ultimately, yes, I want a good win-loss record, but I want girls that have a love for the sport and are enjoying their time on the court.”
Tags: North Hills
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