Bar still high for Greensburg Central Catholic volleyball despite losses to graduation

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, September 10, 2017 | 6:03 PM

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Greensburg Central Catholic has claimed two of the past three WPIAL and PIAA Class A girls volleyball titles.

The Centurions hope to make that three of four this fall.

However, the defending champs have a different look. The team lost seven seniors from last year's squad. Another regular, Savina Pavlik, transferred to Latrobe.

“We're trying to live up to the expectations everybody has. We're just seeing we're going to have to work at a lot of stuff this year,” GCC coach Kate McCauley said. “They have pretty much been trying to fill the shoes of everyone who left. But I told them it's not about filling their shoes. It's about creating their memories. We're out to make a new name for Central. We're all out to prove something this year.”

It wasn't just quantity but quality GCC lost. Mikayla Bisignani, Christina Cochenour, Haley Moore and Taylor Obusek were named to the PVCA Class A all-state team.

“The girls are still competitive even though we don't have a lot of people competing for time this year,” McCauley said. “We have a large group of freshmen that came in, and they'll make up most of the junior varsity team. They are getting into the swing of it. They have a lot of things to learn about the system we run.”

The team has two seniors in outside hitters Maria Beer and Gaby Guzik. Juniors Abbey Kilkeary (setter/outside hitter), Rachel Riley (right side hitter), Sarah Petnuch (middle hitter), Ruby Bickerton (libero) and sophomores Liz Colecchia (setter/outside hitter), Emily Zaziski (middle hitter) and Alex Christlieb (defensive specialist) will be in the team's rotation.

“The younger players will push to play as the year goes on,” McCauley said.

While the players might lack experience, they faced stern competition the past few years battling last year's senior class. They faced the state champions every day in practice and might not go against a tougher opponent this year.

“That is 100 percent true. They keep saying that at practice,” McCauley said. “Now they have to make their own name this year. They're pushing each other.”

While the Centurions had a strong attack last year, another aspect has stood out this fall.

“Our defense is probably going to be our biggest strong point this year. Our offense has some hope. Our defense is definitely keeping us in games, though,” McCauley said. “The girls have been working really hard. I see all the potential they have. I know they are ready and willing to step into anything I ask them to. I can see they are ready to carry on with the Central mentality.”

The squad hopes to defend its Section 1 title and compete for another WPIAL crown.

“I know we'll have competition in the section. We never underestimate or look past anybody,” McCauley said. “We want to win the section, but we're looking to win WPIALs, too. We'll have some competition. I remember our competition from last year, and I know they'll have a lot back. We'll be in for a battle. We just have to continue our attitude of having fun. The girls witnessed that, once they stop having fun, things can go downhill. We just hope we can continue what we did last year.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.