Quaker Valley volleyball looks to carry momentum into postseason

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, October 15, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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The Quaker Valley girls volleyball team picked up where it left off last season.

In 2022, Quaker Valley won 11 of 14 section decisions, advanced to the WPIAL semifinals, finished fifth in the PIAA Class 2A playoffs and ended up 18-5 overall.

This year, through Oct. 9, the Quakers were 10-2 overall, 10-0 in Section 4-2A, and ranked third in their division by the Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association.

“I think so far this year we have done about what our expectations were,” QV coach Mike Vavrek said. “We wanted to make the playoffs, which we just clinched the other day. We wanted to win a section championship (for the first time in school history), and we are very close to that goal. We took a big step towards that by beating defending champion Avonworth for the second time this year.

“Plus, we are improving every day. We still have work to do, though, and are looking forward to hopefully finishing the season strong.”

Quaker Valley has been led by the one-two punch of All-WPIAL players Annica Kagle and Katelyn Clark, both 5-foot-11 seniors. Kagle, who also earned all-state recognition last season, is a right-side hitter. Clark is a middle hitter.

“I think we have been playing great this season,” Kagle said. “It’s great to be undefeated in section play. We are working really hard in practices, and I believe we are getting better every time we hit the court. Our team chemistry has increased. We need to finish the regular season strong.

“I think we can do great things this postseason. Our expectations are to play with pride and passion, play hard, have fun and achieve success. Last season, we experienced playoff success, and we want to achieve more this year. We are very grateful for the support from the QV community fans.”

Kagle is a third-year starter who has committed to play volleyball for Catawba College in North Carolina and wants to make her senior volleyball season memorable.

“I have had a lot of fun so far,” she said. “I have great teammates, and we have a lot of fun together. We are a close team and I have enjoyed every minute playing and competing with them. I’m focused on getting better every day on and off the court.”

What led Kagle to opting for Catawba, a member of the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Conference? Catawba is located in Salisbury, N.C., 25 miles northeast of Charlotte.

“It was the right fit for me both academically and athletically,” Kagle said. “I really like the coaches and the team. I visited several colleges, and this is the college that felt like home to me. I love the campus and the location.”

Clark plans to attend college somewhere in the Southeast but will not continue her volleyball career. She is appreciative of the Quakers’ performance so far in 2023.

“I am very proud with the effort given by the girls,” Clark said. “Considering we lost three of our starting seniors from last year, I am proud of how our team has stepped up to fill those spots.

“I have pretty high expectations and know that my team will continue to thrive under pressure. After hopefully securing the section (title) for the first time ever, we will continue to push in the playoffs.”

Three other experienced players for QV this year are junior returning starters Molly MacDonald, a 5-11 outside hitter, Vanessa Pickett, a 5-8 setter, and Nora Hammond, a 5-6 outside hitter. Kagle, Clark, MacDonald and Pickett were all-section selections last season.

“I think we have been playing pretty well together,” MacDonald said. “A lot of us played last year on varsity, so we have a lot of varsity experience playing together.

“We are hoping to go all the way to the WPIAL finals and then go far in states. But it definitely will not be a stroll in the park.”

Joining the team’s returning starters in the QV lineup are Mia Gartley, a 5-8 sophomore middle hitter, and a pair of 5-4 defensive specialists, junior Carmen Forsythe and senior Lucy Auth.

Not only were the Quaker Valley girls undefeated through 10 section matches, nine of their wins were by 3-0 margins.

Vavrek noted the specific keys to the team’s success so far in 2023.

“Offensively, we have been very good,” he said. “We’re hitting at a good percentage as a team for the first half of the season.

“Also, we are winning the serving and passing game in our matches.”

The QV coach talked about the team’s expectations that actually began at the end of last season.

“We would like to get back to where we advanced to last year, which was the WPIAL semifinals,” Vavrek said, “and take the next step by winning that game. This is a goal the girls have had since last year’s (playoff) loss.

“As a team, we need to continue to work on our connectivity and offensive efficiency, as well as really starting to win some games on the defensive side of the ball. We have a little bit of work to do.”

QV’s senior night took place Oct. 10 at the high school gym. The five upperclassmen honored that night were Kagle, Clark, Auth, Mia Rosa Pugliano (MH/DS) and Isabella Viola (MH/RS).

The junior class on this year’s team is represented by MacDonald, Pickett, Hammond, Forsythe, Lauren Krouse (DS/S), Eden Palladini (OH/DS) and Keira Sanner (OH/DS).

The Quakers were scheduled to close out their section schedule Oct. 17 at home against Sto-Rox and Oct. 19 on the road versus Hopewell.

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