Both local girls volleyball teams have started their respective regular season campaigns this month. Ellwood City has seen significant gains in its short program history while the Riverside girls are starting their own journey with the launch of their volleyball program.
For the Wolverines, their volleyball program has ascended to new levels over the past few years. After reaching the WPIAL quarterfinals (and losing to North Catholic) in 2019, Ellwood City broke through for its first semifinal win and championship match appearance last year. The Wolverines were felled by fellow unbeaten North Catholic in the 2020 championship game.
“Although our three standout graduates (Danielle McCowin, Breanna Reisinger and Maria Ioanilli) will be greatly missed, we are hoping to continue our program’s success with a new starting lineup,” says head coach Jenna Ricciuti. “The girls have been working hard all summer and we are eager to see the competition.”
This year, the team opened up its season Tuesday night against Laurel, falling in straight sets 25-10, 25-7, 25-18, and will next travel to Neshannock on Thursday evening.
The 2021 campaign has the Lady Wolverines volleyball team looking to repeat what they did last year – a 17-1 regular season record and WPIAL runner-up for the championship.
“We are excited for the upcoming season after all we conquered last year,” says head coach Jenna Ricciuti.
Post-Gazette pegs the Lady Wolverines number 5 in its preseason Class 2A Girls Volleyball rankings. Defending champ, North Catholic sits atop the power rankings while the Shenango Wildcats post the #2 ranking.
For Riverside, the girls volleyball team is currently an independent club sport and is looking to grow into a PIAA member with their continued program success.
The team must be a club for two years prior to being recognized by the WPIAL and as a member of PIAA. For the Lady Panthers, their district requires a third year of a club sport before the district begins to absorb and eventually take over all operating costs.
As a club sport, the boosters supply all costs for buses, uniform, official fees, and other costs.
“Fundraising is critical for our program,” says head coach Marcie Young, a former Duquesne volleyball player. “The community has been great support towards the program and we’ve had positive results.”
Coach Young points to an early season solid showing in the Panthers’ August match-up against Beaver Falls as a good outlook for the team.
“Both teams showed amazing promise in working together and learning this new to them sport,” says Young.
Riverside was handed a defeat in exhibition play versus Class 3A Central Valley earlier this week.
Of note on the schedule, the Lady Panthers will host its first home match on September 17th against BCCS and will then travel to BCCS for a tournament in October. Riverside will feature their senior night on October 6, 2021. The team has two seniors – Samantha Prestia and Tiffany Gwengo.
“Fans coming to our games should really be looking for our girls’ strive for three contacts before the volleyball goes over the net,” says Young. “We’re looking for a fun energetic atmosphere with lots of three contact volleys.”
Young adds that the games will look much different from the gym class volleyball that many Riverside players have played or seen in the past.
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