DLN girls’ volleyball previews: Unionville, Shanahan lead strong Chesco contingent
In each of the past four years a Ches-Mont team has advanced to the PIAA Class 4A girls’ volleyball state championship final. Unionville made it last fall, while Bishop Shanahan advanced to the championship final in 2019, 2018 and 2017.
The Longhorns and Eagles should be strong again this fall, and lead a solid contingent of Chester County girls’ volleyball squads. Here’s a look at the local girls volleyball teams as they compete for PIAA glory this fall:
Unionville enjoyed a history-making season in 2020, posting a 14-1 record, dethroning Bishop Shanahan to win the Ches-Mont title, capturing the District 1 crown and advancing to the PIAA Class 4A state championship final for the first time ever before falling to North Allegheny.
The Longhorns have lost two key players from that squad to graduation – outside hitter Sophie Brenner, the Daily Local News 2020 Girls Volleyball Player of the Year, and the area’s premier setter, Ashlyn Wiswall.
However, Unionville still returns some talented players, particularly senior outside hitter Maddy Lowe. An All-State selection and a first-team All-Ches-Mont pick, Lowe averaged nine kills per outing last fall, and due to her versatility, she rarely came off the court.
“Maddy is a strong offensive and defensive player and the future leader of our team,” said UHS head coach Stephanie Smith following last year’s state final.
The Longhorns also return a couple of senior middle hitters, Genna Weeber and Emily Harper, who received Daily Local News all-area second team recognition last fall.
“All three of these players are ready to use their experiences from last season to lead the team through upcoming challenges,” said Smith.
Last fall, Smith was named the Daily Local News Girls Volleyball Coach of the Year. In just three seasons, Smith has guided the Unionville program back to the preeminence of the 1980s, when the Indians captured five district crowns between 1982-89. The squad is 50-14 under her tutelage.
Bishop Shanahan, who advanced to the PIAA 4A state championship final in 2019, 2018 and 2017, made it to the District 1 4A semifinals last fall before losing to Unionville 3-2.
Shanahan head coach Greg Ashman noted, “We are returning a large number of players from last year’s team and hope to make a run at that state title!”
Key returnees include senior outside hitter/middle blocker Maddie Rudolph and senior outside hitter Coco Shultz, both of whom were all-state selections in 2020.
“Maddie has really grown into a dominant player who is able to play all six rotations,” said Ashman. “She has improved her game and will be a force to be reckoned with. Coco returns as a stable force from the outside hitter position and brings lots of leadership to the team as a returning captain.”
Another key returning player is senior outside/opposite hitter Laura Brozey.
“Laura brings a solid block and is a strong hitter enabling us to attack from both pins,” said Ashman.
A key newcomer is freshman defensive specialist/libero Maddie Metcalfe.
“Maddie will make an immediate impact on our defense, giving us lots of options in the back row,” said Ashman.
Downingtown West is led by senior setter/right side hitter Jenna Shuda, who last fall received many honors, including first team All-Ches-Mont League, second team All-District 1, and all-state accolades.
“Jenna is a very talented setter with a strong serve,” said D-West head coach Dave Parrish. “She has now developed into a formidable attacker at the net. She is a real leader on and off the court.”
Other Whippets to watch include junior outside hitter Cameryn Tuffner, senior middle hitter/outside hitter Grace Poluch, senior defensive specialist Claudia Bournazel, senior middle hitter Jill Arrowsmith and junior outside hitter Darby Weller.
“We’re expecting big things at outside hitter this year from Cameryn, she’s a dynamic attacker that will be tough to stop,” said Parrish. “Grace has been a steady performer the last two years as a middle hitter, and may be moved to outside hitter this year. Claudia is a very good defender with tough serve. Jill is a good blocker with potential to be dominating hitter. Darby is a powerful hitter, and has improved her passing and defensive skills – she could be the surprise performer of the year.”
West Chester Henderson has a good trio of seniors in outside hitter Marin Hangliter, libero Maggie Layman and middle hitter Bailey Desrosiers. Hangliter and Layman both received Daily Local News All-Area honors last fall.
“Marin is a very versatile player who reads and understands the game very well,” said Henderson head coach Greta Neff. “She can adjust and make key plays.
“Maggie is super aggressive — flies all over the court to get a touch on the ball – and is a great vocal leader.
“Bailey leads with her energy and aggression, and is an effective blocker and attacker.”
Downingtown East, who qualified for the District 1 4A tournament last fall, is now under the direction of first-year head coach Caitlin Dankanich. The Cougars have a number of promising seniors this fall, including Ava Hogarth, a strong hitter; outside hitter Ava Truchan, Rachel Kucera, a solid all-around player, and Ava Giampietro, a standout defensive player. Also returning is junior middle hitter Mahitha Seelam. Newcomers to watch include juniors Alex Morris, Katie Sowinski and Lana Marinack (all outside/right side hitters) and setter Erynne Long.
West Chester Rustin, who advanced to the PIAA District 1 4A quarterfinals last fall, has several key returning players, including 6-foot sophomore outside hitter Jane Nelson (who received Daily Local News all-area honors last fall), senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Julie Blazey, senior setter Sophia Moniscalco and junior libero/defensive specialist Lauren Supplee.
“Jane is a very strong and seasoned 6 rotation player with a high contact point and significant power,” said Rustin head coach Casey Pyszczymuka. “Julie is a well-rounded player whose consistency in every position brings great value to the team. Sophia is athletic and quick, able to push the balls from pin to pin with consistency. Lauren is dynamic and quick.”
Great Valley features a large junior class, including four varsity starters from 2020 – outside hitters Callie Gorman and Solenne Johnson, middle hitter Finley Kearney and setter Ayden Pineno. Gorman, Johnson and Kearney have been on the varsity since their freshman year.
“Callie is a solid all-around player with strong consistent serves,” said Great Valley head coach Katie Rickabaugh. “Solenne is a powerful hitter making the transition from middle to outside. She is a hard worker and has a big presence on the court. Finley is quick and aggressive at the net offensively, and defensively puts up a consistent block. Ayden runs our offense.”
Senior Hayle Pyle is recovering from a knee injury, and hopes to return by the end of the season.
Kennett features two standout returning starters in sophomore Hannah Giampietro and junior Maya Rosenthal, a third-year starter.
“Hannah will be starting this season as our team libero but can also be a setter if needed,” said Kennett head coach Ashley Douglas. “She is an extremely talented athlete and even though as a sophomore she will make a great leader on this team.
“Maya is our No. 1 outside hitter who will play all the way around this season. She has worked hard these past three years and we look forward to seeing what she brings to this team.”
Avon Grove’s leading returnee is senior setter Lacie Brown, who was a Daily Local News all-area second team selection last fall.
“Lacie leads the volleyball team with her leadership and agility on the court,” said Avon Grove head coach Chantel Brown. “She brings a lot of energy and motivation to the team.”
Two other key Red Devils are senior outside hitter Olivia Heckman and senior middle hitter Alex Miller.
“Olivia always keeps a positive attitude and leads through her experience,” said Brown. “She will be a force on the outside for us. Alex is a constant threat on the court and never seems to let up.”
Oxford has eight seniors on its roster, led by the trio of outside hitter Emily Washkalavitch, middle hitter Payton Cozart and libero/defensive specialist Alyssa Blittersdorf.
“Emily is a strong 6 rotation outside, Payton is a soft-spoken leader that all our players lookup to and follow, and Alyssa is the heart of our back row – I hope to see her really step up and take on a leadership role defensively,” said Oxford head coach Maddy Walsh.
A couple of Hornet juniors to watch are outside/middle hitter Emma Neskie and setter Maura Hill.
“Emma is an amazing asset for our team, her technical training is some of the best in the gym and she’s the hardest working girl on the court every day,” said Walsh. “Much like Alyssa, I will be looking to Maura to continue to grow her confidence and become an on-the-court leader as one of the youngest on the team.”
West Chester East has several players to watch, including junior setter Elliet Manning; Purdue-bound senior middle hitter Lizzie Carr, who received Daily Local News All-Area girls volleyball honors last fall; sophomore outside hitter Alexa Mork; and sophomore libero Izzy Byrnes.
“Elliet is a tremendous setter,” said WC East head coach Erin Flynn. “Lizzie is dominating as middle hitter. Alexa’s power is palpable. Izzy is fearless.”
In the Central League, Conestoga will be led by senior outside hitter Lillian Caldwell, a two-time first team All-Central League pick and Pioneers’ MVP. She also received All-District 1 honorable mention last fall as well as first team All-Area (Daily Local News), and has committed to play volleyball for Middlebury College in Vermont next year.
“Lillian will be a go-to hitter this season for us,” said Conestoga head coach Diana Felker. “She’s a standout all-around player, and has been the team’s kill leader the last two years.”
Another key Pioneer is senior middle hitter Natalie Wright, a two-time All-Central League honoree.
“We look for Natalie to lead the team from the middle,” said Felker. “She was our top blocker last season and was second in kills.”
Junior setter Sara Walheim is another leading player for Conestoga.
“She’s a very dynamic setter, outstanding on defense and will get to everything,” said Felker.
In the AACA, Villa Maria Academy has three returning conference all-stars – senior libero Skylar Kelly, junior setter/hitter Gabby Konrad and sophomore outside hitter Alana Whitwell. Other Hurricanes to watch include juniors Ciara Bradley and Ava Goryl, sophomores Gillian Keaveney and Leah Machita and freshman Maeve Gallagher.
