The 2024 girls volleyball season was one to remember. The Titans posted a 14-4 overall record while also going 10-0 in section play.

Eight girls also got recognized individually earning all-section honors.

Senior Emma Dadowski, junior Bella Hoffman, and sophomores Aubrey Blank and Teagan Orga all earned all-section first team honors. Senior Courtney O’Brien and sophomore Chloe Grimes were named to the all-section second team. Juniors Maddie Wilson and Addy Kolakowski were named to the all-section third team.

“Having eight players earn all-section honors shows how well rounded we are as a team. We have a lot of talent and the girls’ hard work certainly paid off,” head coach Ms. Annie Carter said. 

The girls also understood the importance of this recognition.

“Being named to an all-section team means a lot to me. I couldn’t have gotten the award without my teammates pushing me to become better,” Wilson said.

The talented roster lived up to expectations with their success in the regular season. The Titans beat rival Pine Richland in five sets at the beginning of the season. This fueled the team’s success early on.

“My most memorable moment was us beating undefeated Pine Richland In five sets. This was so exciting for us because we went into the game with a mindset that we were going to win and we were able to prove it on the court,” Wilson said.

But the payoff really came when the Titans faced off against the Armstrong River Hawks. In their final regular season match, the Titans beat the River Hawks in four sets, clinching the undefeated section championship. 

“It was an intense game. It had everyone on the edge of their seats. You could feel the energy and motivation of the team from on the court to the bench. We all knew what we had to accomplish and we made sure to get it done,” Addy Kolakowski said.

The win over Armstrong cemented their 10-0 record in section play. Going 10-0 in section play isn’t an easy feat, but the team worked together and battled all year long. 

“We had a well-rounded team which made us hard to beat. We had a lot of offensive players along the net and a great defense behind them. It was hard to scout and play us because on any given night we had a different girl shining,” Ms. Carter said.

One part of that well-rounded team was having great veteran presence. The five seniors brought great experience and leadership. 

“Our senior class was great this year. All five of them played a different role in supporting our team. Our captain, Emily Spears, was great this year and helped us reach the success we had,” Ms. Carter said.

The bond that the seniors created guided the Titans to success throughout the year.

“This team has a bond like no other. We truly are all best friends, and it shows on the court,” Kolakowski said.

The Titans entered the playoffs as a #5 seed and faced off against Greater Latrobe in the first round. The Titans outlasted the Wildcats and won the match in five sets.

Days later the Titans storied season would come to an end. Shaler matched up against Upper Saint Clair in the second round of the WPIAL playoffs. Upper Saint Clair’s hot start made it nearly impossible for Shaler to mount a comeback. The Titans lost their final match 3-0, but that did not diminish the accomplishments of the season.

“This was a great season. A true banner year,” Ms. Carter said. “This year was filled with so much fun and great memories.”