Senior trio set to lead Quaker Valley volleyball

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 4, 2017 | 11:00 PM

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The Quaker Valley girls volleyball team has two goals: stay healthy and make the playoffs.

The Quakers missed the WPIAL Class AA tournament last season, interrupting a four-year run.

The Quakers return three top players in seniors Leah Vester, Sida Wilson and Nyla Stowers.

Vester, an outside hitter, led the team with 157 kills and 158 digs last season.

Wilson, a libero, was second in digs with 147.

Stowers, a middle hitter and at 5-foot-11, the Quakers tallest player, was second in kills (91).

Junior setter Josephine Parsons returns to the lineup after missing part of last season with a concussion.

Vavrek said it was one of six such injuries suffered by varsity and junior varsity players in 2016.

“(We did) lot of lineup shuffling,” he said.

Vester expects Parsons to be a big help offensively and Stowers, on the other side of the ball.

“We rely on Nyla to defend against outside hitters, which is something that will give us an edge,” Vester said.

Junior middle hitter Sydnie Sinewe and junior back row player Erin Mangan have varsity experience.

Also competing will be juniors Brooke Mauldin, Erin Glas, Kate Wetzel, Jillian Brown and Alayna Aspiotes; freshmen Kayla Doherty, Nicole Shaheen and McAuley Kriebel; and sophomore Hannah Ashburn.

Vavrek, in his seventh year at Quaker Valley, expects the Quakers to be competitive in a “tough” section.

They were scheduled to play two Section 2-AA matches this week, against Avonworth and Beaver, before competing in a tournament Saturday at Moon.

“Goal No. 1 (is to) get better every day, (which) should lead to the playoffs,” Vavrek said.

Wilson, a captain, likes the Quakers versatility.

“Although our varsity team is young, what we lack for in experience, we have girls who can step up and play different positions, if need be,” she said. “We have a good group of younger players to back us up.”

The Quakers were eliminated early from the WPIAL playoffs from 2012-15 after placing second or third in the section each year.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley