Penn-Trafford volleyball seeks return to WPIAL postseason

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 4, 2017 | 11:00 PM

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The goal for the Penn-Trafford girls volleyball team is simple: survive and advance.

Going into the 2016 WPIAL playoffs as the No. 9 seed, the Warriors drew one of the hottest teams in Class AAAA in No. 8 Baldwin, which finished as the WPIAL runner-up. Warriors coach Jim Schall saw the first-round exit coming a mile away.

“I thought that would be a tough match,” said Schall, who is entering his 20th season as coach. “We had a good crew last year, and it was tough playing No. 8 Baldwin. There were several other teams that I would have rather seen. We played well against them, but we lost to a good team.”

But the Warriors are leaving the past in the past. Schall likes the look of this year's group, but unlike in years past, he's not sure where all the pieces fit.

Schall returns last year's kills leader, 5-foot-11 senior middle hitter Jess Heiman. Schall likes what he's seen out of his top hitter during camp.

“Just in our scrimmages she's really hit well,” Schall said. “She'll definitely be a hitter that we try and get the ball to.”

After sharing time with Sara Scanio last season, 5-7 senior Samantha Kelly will take over as the Warriors full-time setter.

Penn Trafford (12-5, 7-3 last season) has plenty of height. In addition to Heiman, Schall is looking for contributions from 6-1 Stephanie O'Donnell. Schall doesn't know where O'Donnell will end up — on the outside or in the middle — but he knows she will be on the court. O'Donnell started at right-side hitter last season.

“She's good. It's just a matter of where she fits best lineup wise,” Schall said.

Bre Brunno will get the nod at libero, where the 5-7 senior will take over for Emliy Zuchelli, who graduated.

“She's a pretty good passer, and she does a pretty good job in the front row, too,” Schall said of Brunno.

Senior Makenzie Schropp (5-7) will take over at one of the outside hitter positions, and 5-9 Bella Long has shown Schall she is worthy of some minutes.

“She's an athletic kid,” Schall said of Long. “She hasn't played a ton, but she's a good athlete and good basketball kid as well. She's used to being out there in big situations.”

While Schall likes the delicate blend of youth and experience of his team, he still thinks teams like Hempfield and Norwin are the teams to beat in Section 3. The Warriors finished the 2016 regular season tied for second place with Norwin behind Hempfield. He also said Latrobe and Franklin Regional will be in the hunt for a postseason spot.

“I think it has the potential to be good team,” Schall said. “We have some pretty talented kids, and we'll have to really work just improving through the regular season.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford