Quaker Valley girls volleyball learning ‘how to win games’

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 15, 2018 | 3:27 PM

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The Quaker Valley girls volleyball team (1-2 in Section 2-AAA) faces a rebuilding season after moving up in class.

The squad consists of five seniors and eight sophomores, with only three of the seniors having extensive varsity experience.

“My expectations are that we get better every day,” Quakers coach Mike Vavrek said. “We are a very young and inexperienced team.

“We have to learn how to win games.”

The Quakers beat Obama Academy but lost to Montour and South Fayette. Montour was WPIAL Class AAA runner-up last season.

Setter/opposite hitter Josephine Parsons, defensive specialist Erin Mangan and opposite hitter Sydnie Sinewe, all seniors, are returning starters.

Parsons and Sinewe, both 5-foot-10, are among the tallest players.

Sophomore outside hitter Kaylah Bemis leads the Quakers with 16 kills, Parsons is second with nine, and sophomore middle hitter McAuley Kriebel is third with seven.

Sophomore libero Kayla Doherty leads in digs (30), followed by Bemis (17) and Parsons (12).

Sophomore setter Nicole Shaheen and Parsons have 21 and 20 assists, respectively.

Doherty and Shaheen are tied with a team-high six aces, while Mangan has five.

Also playing are seniors Erin Glas and Kate Wetzel and sophomores Lanie French, Maddie Hess, Camille Johnson and Camden Kiggins.

Vavrek believes as the sophomores develop, the Quakers will grow into a tough team.

Mangan said the squad has to get used to varsity play.

“We may be young, but we have the talent and teamwork to compete,” she said. “Everyone wants to work on their skills.”

The Quakers went 5-7 and finished fourth in Section 2-AA last season. They lost in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley