The girls’ volleyball team finished off a successful season with a 12-6 record. The girls’ hard work paid off throughout the season, and they were able to make it to the second round of the WPIAL playoffs before losing against Canon-McMillan.
The home playoff game against Penn Trafford was one highlight from the season. The atmosphere at the game was great, and the girls won 3-0.
“We haven’t had a home playoff game in a long time, and winning a home playoff game was good,” head coach Paul Stadelman said.
The atmosphere of the game and the girls’ preparation were key factors in making the game a success. In Stadelman’s opinion, the game against Penn Trafford was one of the best matches that the team played all season.
Another significant game for the team was the home game against Knoch.
The Knoch game was also alumni night, so there were players in the stands who played for SAVB in the past, in addition to the fans. The game was also a dig pink event to benefit breast cancer research. Although this game was only an exhibition match, it was a significant one for the team.
“It was sort of everything encompassed all in to one, and we played very well. It was a nice environment,” Stadelman said.
From Stadelman’s perspective, the most rewarding part of the season was seeing how the team developed throughout the season.
“It was rewarding to see a group of girls who started out just as a bunch of individual players really start to work together as a team. I think it was rewarding for me as a coach to see their development on the court in skill and just a lot of their comradery on the court with each other and their togetherness with the way they played,” he said.
At the end of the season, sophomores Mia Schubert and Tia Bozzo were recognized for their exceptional play by making first team all section.
In addition to Schubert and Bozzo, sophomore Addie Kania and junior Emily Peterson were elected as honorable mention for the Big 56 Girls Volleyball Team.
Peterson thought the season was very successful and rewarding.
“Seeing our growth, especially since we have such a young team, was probably the most rewarding aspect of the season. I had high hopes going in, and I feel that we exceeded a lot of expectations,” Peterson said.
Although the girls lost 3-0 against Canon-McMillan in the second round of the WPIAL playoffs, they exceeded Stadelman’s expectations for the season.
“I think anytime at the end of the season when you lose in the WPIAL quarterfinals, you’re probably a little bit disappointed, but it’s rewarding seeing this group of girls come together, work hard, and really step up and play whoever we were up against and it did not change our work ethic,” he said.