Wolverines Volleyball Team Opens Playoff Push On Wednesday

The Ellwood City girls volleyball is set to host its opening round WPIAL Class 2A playoff game on Wednesday

The Lady Wolverines earned a #8 seed and will host #9 seeded Charleroi on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Lincoln High School gymnasium.

Tickets may be purchased on GOFAN.com cost of tickets – Student tickets are $5.00, Adult tickets are $7.00 and all tickets sold at the door are $7.00. [YOUTUBE.COM GAME LINK]

The senior-laden Wolverines feature six seniors Delaney Sturgeon, Elsie Sturgeon, Emma Figurel, Chloe Bungar, Jhenavesza Miller and Caitlin Kreitzer and will look to make a mark on the Class 2A tournament.

“As we enter the playoffs we are focused on taking it one game at a time, trying to extend our season so we can stay together as long as we can,” says 9th year head coach Jenna Ricciuti

There are some great, experienced teams that have made the playoffs according to Ricciuti and she anticipates it will not be an easy ride but the team is willing to work to get to the gold.

“Each game we have different girls that shine, we have a lot of depth to the team this year and it is exciting to watch.”

Caitlin Kreitzer, a senior setter, has been the most consistent according to the head coach.

“She is the playmaker,” says Ricciuti.

Caitlin’s younger sister, freshman middle hitter, Carah Kreitzer, has also been a big part of a senior-heavy squad.

Ellwood City senior hitters, Delaney Sturgeon, Emma Figurel, Elsie Sturgeon and Chloe Bungar, are the key players, collecting kills each game for the Lady Wolverines who enter the playoffs 13-4 overall.

“The energy they give off is great to watch and makes the games exciting.”

Defensive specialists, Miller and junior Ava Lucarelli, have been strong in the back row and Ricciuti looks forward to how they can hustle through the playoffs.

The last few games freshman middle hitter, Denim Elchison, has shown up in big ways for the Wolverines according to their coach.

“We are excited to see what she can put together for the playoffs,” says Ricciuti.

The winner Wednesday advances to face potential #1 seeded Quaker Valley on Saturday. The WPIAL Championship will be held Saturday, November 2nd at Peters Township
high school.

“I am so proud of how they handle the challenges, wins and losses that we have faced together this season,” concludes Ricciuti.

Last year, Ellwood City earned a preliminary round victory in the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs before losing to #5 seed Avonworth.  Beaver defeated Freeport to earn the WPIAL Class 2A Championship last season. [VIEW FULL BRACKET]

Reigning in the Class 2A sections were Quaker Valley (14-2, 14-0) in Section I, South Park (13-5, 13-1) in Section II, Waynesburg Central (17-0, 14-0) in Section III, Neshannock (13-1, 11-1) in Section IV, and Southmoreland (14-3, 10-0) in Section V. Quaker Valley and Southmoreland have both won their sections in consecutive years, while it is three in five seasons for South Park.