Daily Local News 2021 All-Area Girls Volleyball Teams
FIRST TEAM
Claudia Bournazel, Sr., Downingtown West – The libero, a Pa. Coaches Volleyball Association all-state selection, had, according to D-West coach Dave Parrish, “the best libero season I have seen at West.” Averaged more than 5 digs a set, and was noted for her excellent defense and passing.
Jenna Schuda, Sr., Downingtown West – The setter/right side hitter was the Whippets’ MVP and received first team All-Ches-Mont League American Division honors. A standout all-performer who recorded 10 triple-doubles, 2.7 kills per set, 5.4 assists per set and 2.8 digs per set and 89 aces.
Genevieve Weeber, Sr., Unionville – The middle hitter, a Pa. Coaches Volleyball Association all-state selection, also received first team All-Ches-Mont League American Division honors and was first team All-District 1. Recorded 63 blocks and 157 kills this past fall.
Madelyn Lowe, Jr., Unionville – A repeat DLN all-area first team selection, the outside hitter is a Pa. Coaches Volleyball Association all-state selection, received first team All-Ches-Mont League American Division honors and was first team All-District 1. A fine all-around performer who recorded 22 blocks, 202 kills and 44 aces.
Emily Harper, Sr., Unionville – The middle hitter, a Pa. Coaches Volleyball Association all-state selection, also received first team All-Ches-Mont League American Division honors and was first team All-District 1. Recorded 136 kills and 32 blocks.
Lizzie Carr, Sr., West Chester East – The middle hitter, a Pa. Coaches Volleyball Association all-state selection, also received first team All-Ches-Mont League American Division honors. Had 636 career kills and will play volleyball for Purdue University.
SECOND TEAM
Lacie Brown, Avon Grove
Marin Hangliter, West Chester Henderson
Maddie Metcalf, Bishop Shanahan
Ava Hogarth, Downingtown East
Laura Brozey, Bishop Shanahan
Elliet Manning, West Chester East
Camryn Tuffner, Downingtown West
Solene Johnson, Great Valley
Maya Rosenthal, Kennett
Jane Nelson, West Chester Rustin
Skylar Kelly, Villa Maria Academy
Gabby Konrad, Villa Maria Academy
Natalie Wright, Conestoga
Lillian Caldwell, Conestoga
HONORABLE MENTION
Avon Grove – Olivia Heckman, Alexa Kelleher, Alex Miller.
Bishop Shanahan – Amelia Devlin, Delaney Dwyer,
Conestoga – Sara Walheim, Samantha Goldman, Giulia Presa-Vespa.
Downingtown East – Ava Truchan, Erynne Long.
Downingtown West – Grace Poluch, Jill Arowsmith
Great Valley – Oriana Underiner.
Kennett – Hannah Giampietro, Makayla Kelly.
Oxford – Maura Hill, Emily Washkalavitch, Alyssa Blittersdorf, Payton Cozart.
Unionville – RaeAnn Dowling, Olivia Harper, Ava Van Deusen, Avery Wiswall.
Villa Maria Academy – Ava Goryl, Alana Whitwell, Gillian Keaveney, Maeve Gallagher.
West Chester East – Alexa Mork.
West Chester Henderson – Maggie Layman, Olivia Sladicka, Bailey Desrosiers.
West Chester Rustin – Hannah Lucenius, Julie Blazey.
Girls Volleyball Coach of the Year – Greg Ashman, Bishop Shanahan
Greg Ashman, the Daily Local News 2021 Girls Volleyball Coach of the Year, has compiled an impressive record since taking over at the Eagles helm in 2004, with 13 Ches-Mont League titles (15 Ches-Mont National Division titles), nine District 1 championships, a PIAA state championship in 2009 and a 362-54 won-loss record.
This past fall, the Eagles flew further than any other Ches-Mont team, advancing to the PIAA 4A state semifinals after capturing the Ches-Mont and District 1 4A titles.
What made the 2021 fall season unique for Shanahan was that the Eagles were not considered a pre-season favorite.
“No one expected us to win the Ches-Mont or District 1 titles this year, so we played loose, we were the underdog, we played relaxed, and kept the pressure on our opponents” said Ashman. “We made the most of our losses and used them as learning opportunities for our players. We celebrated our victories and used them as motivation in our big matches, to remember that feeling.
“It was a season in which our players’ [different] personalities really came together – It took a while for the team to buy into the ‘Shanahan way.’ We got great leadership from our returning varsity players – Maddie Rudolph, Coco Shultz, Laura Brozey and some much needed support from Julia Pagnotto, Delaney Dwyer, Amelia Devlin and Ali Monaco. Once we got the buy in, the sky was the limit.”
Outside of Shanahan, Ashman is a coach of the Sparks Volleyball Club 15 Elite team, and is in his fourth year as an assistant coach of the Immaculata University men’s volleyball team.
– Bruce Adams
