Freeport returns experienced group to chase third consecutive WPIAL girls volleyball title

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 2, 2017 | 10:21 PM

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The Freeport girls volleyball team started a Twitter account in November, showing pictures of Yellowjackets teams from middle school through varsity at various tournaments.

Most of the pictures have two things are in common: a trophy is displayed next to the girls, and Freeport coach Tom Phillips is standing in the background.

The photos provide a glimpse of the program Freeport has built, one that has become a dominant force in the WPIAL, winning back-to-back Class AA titles and four titles in the last seven years.

The Yellowjackets will try for three in a row this fall and bring plenty of depth back.

Three seniors — libero Claire Crytzer, setter Courtney Grubbs and outside hitter Hannah Mason — again will play a prominent role, along with junior Ally DeJidas and sophomore Lauren Lampus.

“I'd consider Claire, in my eyes, to be the best libero in the WPIAL,” Phillips said. “She's a great leader. Courtney Grubbs is in the fine line of top setters. She was a very instrumental part in us winning the WPIAL championship last year. She's become a lot better over the summer and is just a terrific setter. Hannah Mason brings a lot experience, and Lauren Lampus is an outstanding sophomore. Both of them will bring a strong outside presence.”

The Yellowjackets also have a solid corps at middle hitter with plenty of height. Junior Sarah Hettich is 6-foot-2, sophomore Isabella Russo is 5-10 and Haley Graham, a 5-10 junior, also will command the middle of the front row.

All of that adds up to expectations of another deep playoff excursion.

“A lot of people have asked me if I think this team is better than last year's team, and I think on paper this team has the potential to be better,” Phillips said. “But we still have to go out and play the games. We have a lot of experience back, and they've been in big situations in their high school careers.”

Deer Lakes, which finished fourth in Section 5-AA last year and made the playoffs, has several key returners. Lancers coach Terry Gaston expects his team to challenge Freeport and Derry for the top spots in the section.

“I think we're ready to take the next step,” said Gaston, who is entering his fourth season as Lancers coach and fifth with the program. “These girls have bought into everything we've told them, and I'm looking forward to it. I expect good things, but we still have to go out and play the games.”

The Lancers have six seniors — Karns Hazlett, Casey Beuchel, Logan Lindgren, Sam Vresh, Angelina Saldumarco and Allison Blackwell — and two juniors in Kaylee Scuibba and Lydia Fink who figure to play prominent roles.

“I'm pretty happy with where we are at right now,” Gaston said. “These girls worked hard all summer. I'm really looking forward to this season.”

Burrell tied Derry for second in Section 5 last year but lost four starters. The Bucs return outside hitter Gabby Horner and middle hitter Hannah Pastor. Having so many spots to fill has the Bucs moving some pieces to try to find the right combination.

“We have a lot of girls playing in positions that they're not necessarily used to,” Burrell coach Kourtney Foriska said. “Over half of them have varsity experience, but they weren't starters last year. They've responded really well to all of the things they've been asked to do.”

Apollo-Ridge and Valley also play in Section 5 along with East Allegheny.

In Class A, Springdale and Riverview were local teams that made the playoffs last year.

The Dynamos lost five starters have 12 girls on their roster. They will be led by the Selzer sisters, Rachel, a senior, and Becca, a sophomore. The Selzers will be the outside hitters. Springdale will rely on fitness as a way to offset lack of depth.

“I keep telling the girls that we're going to be small but mighty,” coach Cindy Donnelly said. “We're going to fight for every point and work to get better. We're getting to the point where everyone on the team started with me in seventh grade. We're trying to build a program and these girls are hard workers.”

Springdale and Riverview are in Section 4 with defending WPIAL and PIAA champion Greensburg Central Catholic. St. Joseph, which made the playoffs two seasons ago, will look to break back into the top four along with Leechburg.

Plum and Fox Chapel made the playoffs in Class 4A last year.

Phil O'Keeffe, the longtime boys volleyball coach at Fox Chapel, will coach the girls team for the first time this season.

The Foxes and Mustangs play in Section 4 with Oakland Catholic Penn Hills, Kiski Area Woodland Hills and Armstrong.

Plum hopes to make some gains on the teams that finished ahead of it in standings with six seniors returning, led by captain and libero Bailey Raposa.

“The goal is to be top three in the section, not just slide in to a playoff spot at the last second,” Plum coach Carly Bonk said. “We want to contend with those teams that have been at the top of our section like Oakland Catholic and Armstrong.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer.

Tags: Freeport