WPIAL girls volleyball championship preview: North Allegheny, Beaver look to defend titles

By: Bill Hartlep
Friday, November 1, 2024 | 11:52 AM

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Four champions will be crowned Saturday at the 2024 WPIAL girls volleyball championships at Peters Township’s AHN Arena.

Below is a look at the teams competing.

Check out a feature on the Class A matchup between Frazier and Greensburg Central Catholic here.

Class 4A

1-North Allegheny (16-1) vs. 3-North Catholic (16-2)

5 p.m. Saturday, AHN Arena, Peters Township

Coaches: Ross Hoburg, North Allegheny; Amanda Fetter, North Catholic

Playoff path: North Allegheny had a first-round bye, then defeated No. 9 Armstrong, 3-0, in the quarterfinals and No. 4 Upper St. Clair, 3-2, in the semifinals. No. 3 North Catholic had a first-round bye, then beat No. 6 Peters Township, 3-0, in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Canon-McMillan, 3-2, in the semifinals.

WPIAL titles: North Allegheny 9 (1993, ‘96, 2008, ‘13, ‘17, ‘18, ‘20, ‘21, ‘23); North Catholic 4 (2018, ‘20, ‘21, ‘22)

Up next: The winner will play the District 3 fourth-place finisher in the PIAA first round Tuesday. The losing team plays the District 6, 8 or 10 champion.

Net points: These teams split their Section 2 series, with North Allegheny winning 3-2, on Sept. 24, and North Catholic returning the favor Oct. 17, also 3-2. That was the Tigers’ lone loss of the season. North Catholic’s only other loss was 3-1 to Pine-Richland on Sept. 12. … North Allegheny is looking to defend its title and add to the nine in the trophy case. That total trails only Farrell (20), Norwin (15) and Baldwin (11) in WPIAL history. The Tigers are in the finals for the eighth straight season. In the semifinal victory over Upper St. Clair, North Allegheny was led by Molly Robertson, who had 28 kills. Alicia Mokube had seven kills and four blocks. Mack Jones had five kills and 15 assists. Bridgit Murphy had five kills, and Keely McMahon-Regan had 27 assists. … North Catholic finished second in the Class 3A tournament last season, falling to Hampton, 3-0, in the finals. The Trojans, who won three straight titles from 2020-22, moved up to Class 4A this season. They are in the finals for the seventh straight season. Outside hitter Ella Koziara had 23 kills in the semifinals, followed by Audra Lazzara with 13 and Camdynn Gonzalez with 10.

Class 3A

1-Beaver (18-3) vs. 2-Mars (17-4)

3 p.m. Saturday, AHN Arena, Peters Township

Coaches: Susan Pollins, Beaver; Tamara Caraway, Mars

Playoff path: Beaver defeated 16 Gateway, 3-0, in the first round; No. 8 Oakland Catholic, 3-1, in the quarterfinals; and No. 4 Hampton, 3-0, in the semifinals. Mars beat No. 18 Albert Gallatin, 3-0, in the first round; No. 7 Indiana, 3-0, in the quarterfinals; and No. 6 Freeport, 3-2, in the semifinals.

WPIAL titles: Beaver 2 (2017, ‘23); Mars 1 (2012)

Up next: The winner plays the District 5 or 6 champion in the PIAA first round Tuesday. The losing team plays the District 8 or 9 champion.

Net points: Beaver is seeking a second straight title after topping Freeport, 3-2, last season in the Class 2A championship. Beaver moved up to Class 3A this season. The Bobcats won Section 4 at 10-0. They started the season 2-3 before rattling off 15 straight victories, including a 3-0 win over Mars on Oct. 1. Beaver is led by a deep junior class, including first-team all-section selections Jaedyn Brown, Aubrey Bumblis, Kailyn Connelly and Lanie Malobabich. Senior setter Zoe Ringer also was first-team all-section. … Mars captured the Section 2 title at 10-0. The Fightin’ Planets have won eight straight matches since falling to Beaver. In the semifinals, Mars was led by Cecilia Christy and Rylee Wooldridge, who each had 15 kills. Wooldridge and Christy were joined on the all-section team by senior outside hitters Lily Javor and Ella Nicotra. Freshman setter Gabi Weidemann also has made an immediate impact.

Class 2A

1-Quaker Valley (17-2) vs. 3-Hopewell (17-2)

1 p.m. Saturday, AHN Arena, Peters Township

Coaches: Mike Vavrek, Quaker Valley; Terry Borkovic, Hopewell

Playoff path: Quaker Valley defeated No. 16 Keystone Oaks, 3-0, in the first round; No. 8 Ellwood City, 3-0, in the quarterfinals; and No. 5 Southmoreland, 3-0, in the semifinals. Hopewell beat No. 14 McGuffey, 3-1, in the first round; No. 11 Avonworth, 3-1, in the quarterfinals; and No. 2 Neshannock, 3-2, in the semifinals.

WPIAL titles: Quaker Valley 0; Hopewell 6 (2002, ‘03, ‘04, ‘05, ‘07, ‘11)

Up next: The winner will play the District 10 runner-up Tuesday in the PIAA first round. The losing team will play the District 6 champion.

Net points: Quaker Valley won the Section 1 title at 14-0, including a pair of 3-1 victories over Hopewell. The Quakers’ only losses this season came against Beaver and Freeport, both Class 3A teams. Quaker Valley is making its first trip to the WPIAL championship. In the semifinals, Molly MacDonald had 23 kills, and Nora Hammond added 12. The senior outside hitters were joined on the all-section first team by senior setter Vanessa Pickett. … Hopewell’s lone losses this season were against Quaker Valley. The Vikings finished second in Section 1. They have won seven straight since falling to the Quakers on Oct. 7. The Vikings were led in the semifinals by Jordan Sirianni’s 19 kills. Siriani, senior middle hitter Alyssa Spang and junior setter Bella Ceccarelli were first-team all-section picks.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Beaver, Hopewell, Mars, North Allegheny, North Catholic, Quaker Valley