Fort LeBoeuf Bison
Coach (season, record): LeAnn Byer (7th season, 84-6)
2011 overall record: 23-2
2011 region record (place): 16-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Fort LeBoeuf went 3-0 in District 10 pool play before sweeping Slippery Rock and General McLane to win the District 10 Class AA championship. LeBoeuf then won its first PIAA match in three sets over Bradford before going 1-2 in PIAA pool play.
Top players lost: Lindsey Bean, Cassie Pietkiewicz
Top returning players: Maria Peluso, Allania Banta, Jolene Young, Abby Rose, Larissa Cass
Assistant coach: Robert Cierniakoski
Outlook: Fort LeBoeuf finally broke through last fall and not only beat rival General McLane, but the Bison won the District 10 Class AA championship and advanced to PIAA pool play. LeBoeuf graduated two leaders but will have most of its team back. Lindsay Bean and Cassie Pietkiewcz are gone after terrific senior seasons. Bean was named to the all-district team after being voted to the all-region first team and the Region 5 Player of the Year as a middle hitter. The Bison return five starters, including Maria Peluso, Jolene Young, Abby Rose, Allania Banta and Larissa Cass. Peluso was voted to the first team at outside hitter, while Banta was a second-team libero. Peluso and Banta are receiving plenty of interest from Division II schools. Young (middle hitter) and Rose (setter) were second-team selections as sophomores. LeBoeuf also has a strong group of underclassmen and could be right in the mix for the region and district titles again this fall. The Bison have talent and experience and can be a dangerous team in the new PIAA format. There is no more pool play at the PIAA tournament and LeBoeuf is a tough out in a best-of-five match. LeBoeuf’s biggest matches of the season will once again be against rival General McLane on Sept. 18 and Oct. 11. An interesting development happened in the offseason with Conneaut consolidating. The Bison could run into the Eagles for the D-10 title. Conneaut will be loaded with former Linesville players who won a state title in Class A last fall.
Schedule
September
11 at Iroquois* 7:30
13 at Seneca* 7:30
18 General McLane* 7:30
20 North Eeast* 7:30
25 Fairview* 7:30
27 at Northwestern* 7:30
October
2 Girard* 7:30
4 Iroquois* 7:30
9 Seneca* 7:30
11 at General McLane* 7:30
16 at North East* 7:30
18 at Fairview* 7:30
23 Northwestern* 7:30
25 at Girard* 7:30
*Region 5 matches
Later today: Franklin
– Tom Reisenweber
