Gateway volleyball team working to take one step further

By: Andrew John
Sunday, October 1, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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The Gateway girls volleyball program finds itself in a similar position to last year. However, this time, the Gators are looking to take an additional step forward.

The Gators (5-3, 5-2) have been led by seven players who earned differing degrees of starting time last year. Gateway opened the season with two wins: a 3-0 victory over Woodland Hills on Sept. 5 and 3-0 win over West Mifflin on Sept. 7.

After a 3-1 loss to Plum on Sept 12, the Gators bounced back with a pair of sweeps of Penn Hills on Sept. 14 and McKeesport on Sept. 19 to jump out to a 4-1 start.

The Gators hung tough against Hampton, the defending Section 1-3A champion, but fell 3-0 on Sept. 20.

After a nonsection loss to Butler, the Gators rebounded by finishing the season sweep with a 3-0 win over Woodland Hills on Sept. 27.

“I keep telling the girls that we have to play our game and not play down to the team we are playing. Regardless who it is, we need to keep the energy up,” coach Nicole Riley said.

The Gators have been led by four seniors who were back in the starting lineup: middle blocker Mallory Brown, outside hitter McKenna Brown, defensive specialist/libero Michelina Estremera and outside hitter Alice Childs.

Juniors middle hitter Ana Lowrey, setter/opposite hitter Jolina Estremera and middle hitter Ashlee Young are the other three starters that returned to this year’s lineup.

Riley, who has returned for her second season as coach, has been pleased by the performance of junior setter Joanna Miller.

“We are running a 6-2 where the setters are setting from the back row,” Riley said. “I’m excited that the offense is working. As long as we stay in system, we should play really well.”

As the schedule turns to playing section foes for the second time, Riley believes the Gators can split the season series with Plum after stealing a set in their first matchup.

“We definitely have a strategy,” Riley said. “They were picking up on our corners. Our setters weren’t getting back for defense. We’ve been practicing that.”

The Gators will look to avenge the loss when they square off at Gateway on Oct. 5.

“We need to play our game,” Riley said. “When we are out of system, we need to make the saves so we can get back into it so we can bump, set and spike it.”

Before the Plum match, the Gators were scheduled to travel to West Mifflin on Oct. 3.

Gateway will have a pair of matches before finishing the regular season at Hampton on Oct. 17. The Gators will visit Penn Hills on Oct. 10 and host McKeesport on Oct. 12.

“We just have to keep everyone healthy and focused on the games,” Riley said. “When we get to the playoffs, it’s a fresh start and we’ll do what we can do.”

If the Gators lock in one of the top four spots in Section 1-3A, they will look to have a stronger showing in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

Last year, Gateway lost to Laurel Highlands, 3-1, in a Class 3A preliminary round game.

Gateway lost the first two sets but rallied to win the third, 25-23. The fourth went to extra points before the Mustangs prevailed, 27-25.

“I’m expecting for us to make the playoffs, and I hope it’s more than one game in the playoffs,” Riley said. “Hopefully we can get further this year. We have a lot of talent.”

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