Greensburg Central Catholic Wins 2nd Girls Volleyball Title in 3 Years

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, November 1, 2014 | 9:35 PM

The 2014 edition of the WPIAL Class A Girl’s Volleyball Championship showcased the two best teams in the conference. The #1 Bishop Canevin Crusaders went to battle with the #2 Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions on the first day of November at Baldwin High School in Whitehall Township.
           
The #1 seed came into Championship Saturday with a full head of steam. Their playoff run began a little over a week ago at home against New Brighton. After making quick work of New Brighton, the Crusaders eliminated a talented Serra team 3-1. The semis gave BC the Neshannock Lancers. Head Coach Kevin Walters’ team dropped Neshannock in straight sets 3-0. Those great wins got the Crusaders into the WPIAL final for the third consecutive year.
           
#2 Greensburg Central Catholic had an equally as long but possibly an easier road to Baldwin.  The Centurions defeated Riverview 3-0, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 3-0, and Shenango 3-0. They had not lost a single set in the playoffs prior to their trip to see the Crusaders this afternoon.

Game 1 of the title match began just as we expect with the two best teams in the conference going toe-to-toe. The two squads alternated scoring points for the first 10 points of the match. The Bishop Canevin Crusaders had multiple players impress right off the bat. Captains Maggie Frost & Sarah Temple shined through as the outside hitters. Junior middle hitter Alex Parra continued her nice postseason as well. Playing closely with the Centurions the entire way, BC won the first set of the match by a score of 25-22.
           
The teams switched sides for Game 2. Fortunes also exchanged hands in this game as well. GCC came out very strong. The game only was tied once and that was at 9-9. After that, it was all Centurions. The Greensburg Central Catholic seniors began to show their skills early in this one. Outside hitter Lauren Nolfi, outside hitter Megan Stunja, and middle hitter Leah Bisignani were the main sources of offense for the Centurions. They took Game 2 by a nice score of 25-16. The match was now tied at 1 game apiece.

Bishop Canevin used that tough Game 2 as fuel for Game 3.  The Crusaders biggest lead at one point in this game was 10. The stellar play by the front row on the Crusaders combined with multiple unforced errors by Greensburg Central Catholic was a recipe for a nice win in Game 3. The Crusaders took a 2 games to 1 lead in the match with an impressive 25-18 advantage in the third set. 
           
In a tough spot now was the GCC Centurions. Down 2 games to 1 in the match they had to play from behind. This is where Leah Bisignani, her sister Mikayla Bisignani and Lauren Nolfi really hit their stride.  With Nolfi’s leadership and the hard hitting Bisignani sisters, GCC fought to win their second game of the match. The match now tied at 2 games each, this championship match was living up to its top billing.
           
The fans at Baldwin High School now had the gymnasium at full tilt heading into the all decisive fifth game. Bishop Canevin started the game to 15 with 2 straight points. The teams battled back and forth for multiple points. The ceiling at this junction in the match could hardly be contained with the fans screaming and chanting on both sides with each and every point.  After all was said and done, it was the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions throwing their hands in the air in celebration as they took the fifth game by a final score of 15-10. GCC claimed their 2nd WPIAL title in 3 years with the victory.

The two teams have clinched their spots in the PIAA playoffs on Saturday afternoon. Greensburg Central Catholic, Bishop Canevin and the winner of the Class A consolation game (Neshannock) now turn their focus to a state crown next week.

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Greensburg C.C.