Archives

Here are links to each preview post from this summer, including the Summer Huddle (football), the Corner Kick (soccer) and Jump Serve (girls volleyball)

Summer Huddle
Bradford, Cambridge Springs, Cathedral Prep, Central Tech, Cochranton, Conneaut Valley, Corry, DuBois, East, Eisenhower, Fairview, Farrell, Fort LeBoeuf, Franklin, General McLane, Girard, Greenville, Grove City, Harbor Creek, Hickory, Iroquois, Kennedy Catholic, Lakeview, Linesville, Maplewood, McDowell, Meadville, Mercer, Mercyhurst Prep, North East, Northwestern, Oil City, Reynolds, Saegertown, Seneca, Sharon, Sharpsville, Slippery Rock, Strong Vincent, Titusville, Union City, Warren, West Middlesex, Wilmington, Youngsville, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Region 5, Region 6, WPIAL Northern Seven

Corner Kick
Bradford, Cambridge Springs, Cathedral Prep, Central Tech, Commodore Perry, Conneaut Valley, Corry, East, Eisenhower, Fairview, Fort LeBoeuf, Franklin, General McLane, Girard, Grove City, Harbor Creek, Hickory, Iroquois, Kennedy Catholic, Maplewood, McDowell, Meadville, Mercer, Mercyhurst Prep, North East, Seneca, Sharon, Sharpsville, Slippery Rock, Strong Vincent, Titusville, Villa Maria, West Middlesex

Jump Serve
Cambridge Springs, Central Tech, Cochranton, Conneaut Lake, Conneaut Valley, Corry, Fairview, Farrell, Fort LeBoeuf, Franklin, General McLane, Girard, Greenville, Grove City, Harbor Creek, Hickory, Iroquois, Jamestown, Kennedy Catholic, Lakeview, Linesville, McDowell, Meadville,  Mercyhurst Prep, North East, Northwestern, Reynolds, Seneca, Sharon, Sharpsville, Slippery Rock, Union City, Villa Maria, West Middlesex

– Tom Reisenweber

West Middlesex Big Reds
Coach (season, record): Kylene Hoch (3rd season 6-27)
2010 overall record: 6-10
2010 region record (place): 6-8 (tied for fifth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Lena Aiken, Morgan Scaife
Top returning players: Dani Monaco, Sierra Hall, Allison Mild, Tori Roberts
Assistant coach: Markie Negrea
Outlook: West Middlesex continued to make strides last fall and is looking to improve on its six-win season. The Big Reds lost two standout players to graduation, including all-region outside hitter Morgan Scaife. Lena Aiken also graduated leaving a hole at setter. Dani Monaco and Sierra Hall are back to lead the middle and outside hitters, while setter Allison Mile and libero Tori Roberts return as well. The Big Reds will look for some help from the underclassmen this year to fill out the rotation. Junior Jade Kroesen could contribute right away along with sophomore Aly Andrusky and freshman Megan Hazlett.

Schedule
September
6 at Mercer 7:15
8 Cambridge Springs 7:15
13 at Jamestown* 7:15
15 Reynolds* 7:15
20 at Sharpsville* 7:15
22 Kennedy Catholic* 7:15
27 at Lakeview* 7:15
29 Commodore Perry* 7:15
October
4 Farrell* 7:15
6 Jamestown* 7:15
11 at Reynolds* 7:15
13 Sharpsville* 7:15
18 at Kennedy Catholic* 7:15
20 Lakeview* 7:15
25 at Commodore Perry* 7:15
27 at Farrell* 7:15

– Tom Reisenweber

Villa Maria Victors
Coach (season, record): Mike McMahan (5th season, 29-31)
2010 overall record: 6-6
2010 region record (place): 6-6 (fourth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Amanda Holby, Katie Machalinski
Top returning players: Jennie Fustine, Madison Easly, Melissa Mischler
Assistant coach: Nathan Barber
Outlook: Villa Maria made its way through a brutal region schedule and just missed out on the playoffs. The Victors will need to improve in camp to earn a postseason spot this fall. Amanda Holby is an all-region selection but she graduated along with Katie Machalinski. Returning for Villa are Jennie Fustine, Madison Easly and Melissa Mischler. The Victors have plenty of experience back along with some depth. Villa will need some big contributions from the underclassmen in order to get into the playoffs.

Schedule
September
6 Conneaut Lake 7:15
15 at Strong Vincent* 7:15
20 at East* 7:15
22 Central Tech* 7:15
27 at McDowell* 7:15
29 Harbor Creek* 7:15
October
4 Mercyhurst Prep* 7:15
11 Strong Vincent* 7:15
13 East* 7:15
18 at Central Tech* 7:15
20 McDowell* 7:15
25 at Harbor Creek* 7:15
27 at Mercyhurst Prep* 7:15

Sunday: West Middlesex, Wilmington, Youngsville

– Tom Reisenweber

Union City Bears
Coach (season): Sherri Miller (6th season)
2010 overall record: 4-10
2010 region record (place): 4-10 (tied for sixth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top player lost: MacKenzie Gilson
Top returning players: Halle Hinkle, Amber Bacon
Assistant coach: Nancy Zielinski
Outlook: Union City’s biggest concern in camp will be developing a new libero with the graduation of all-region selection MacKenzie Gilson. The Bears play in one of the top Class A regions in the state and it won’t be easy to rebuild in. Setter Halle Hinkle and middle hitter Amber Bacon are back to lead the way, while Nikki Adams and Julia Davis are up-and-coming underclassmen that could have an impact on the varsity level this fall. Union City will need to develop its defense with a new libero this fall and play consistently on offense in order to hang with powerhouses Maplewood, Cochranton, Linesville and Saegertown.

Schedule
September
13 at Conneaut Lake* 7:15
15 Maplewood* 7:15
20 at Saegertown* 7:15
22 Conneaut Valley* 7:15
27 at Linesville* 7:15
29 Cambridge Springs* 7:15
October
4 Cochranton* 7:15
6 Conneaut Lake* 7:15
11 at Maplewood* 7:15
13 Saegertown* 7:15
18 at Conneaut Valley* 7:15
20 Linesville* 7:15
25 at Cambridge Springs* 7:15
27 at Cochranton* 7:15

Later today: Villa Maria

– Tom Reisenweber

Slippery Rock Rockets
Coach (season, record): Greg Dugan (11th season at Slippery Rock, 21st season overall, 134-52 at Slippery Rock, 268-78 overall)
2010 overall record: 7-7
2010 region record (place): 7-7 (tied for fourth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Caitlin Jones, Megan McCune
Top returning players: Marie Takach, Stormie Hockenberry, Laura Hilliard
Assistant coaches: Bree Kehoe, Ryan Lombardo, Megan Oliver
Outlook: Slippery Rock received some tough news over the summer as standout Bre Northcott suffered a season-ending knee injury and will leave a big hole in the starting lineup. The Rockets also lost Megan McCune and all-region selection Caitlin Jones. Slippery Rock is in a tough region with Meadville, Wilmington and Hickory and the Rockets will need some help from the underclassmen to get into the postseason. Stormie Hockenberry is back after being named to the all-region second team as an outside hitter, along with Marie Takach and Laura Hilliard. The Rockets have a solid mix of seniors and underclassmen but they will have to come together as a team in camp in order to survive a brutal region schedule.

Schedule
September
13 Wilmington* 7:15
15 at Grove City* 7:15
20 Hickory* 7:15
22 at Mercer* 7:15
27 Meadville* 7:15
29 at Sharon* 7:15
October
4 at Greenville* 7:15
6 at Wilmington* 7:15
11 Grove City* 7:15
13 at Hickory* 7:15
18 Mercer* 7:15
20 at Meadville* 7:15
25 Sharon* 7:15
27 Greenville* 7:15

Saturday: Union City, Villa Maria, Warren

– Tom Reisenweber

Sharpsville Blue Darlings
Coach (season, record): Scott Scurpa (7th season, 77-25)
2010 overall record: 15-4
2010 region record (place): 14-0 (champion)
2010 playoff results: Lost in the District 10 Class A pool play.
Top player lost: Hanna Holt
Top returning players: Ashley Shuttleworth, Katelyn Scurpa, Rachel Scurpa, Paige Scurpa, Kristen Scurpa
Assistant coach: Chad Anderson
Outlook: Sharpsville ran into a tough group of Crawford County teams in the District 10 playoffs last year after dominating Region 1. The Blue Darlings know they’ll run into them again but coach Scott Scurpa is hoping the hard work put in during the offseason will pay off. Sharpsville will have to replace two graduates, including all-region selection Hanna Holt. The Blue Darlings have plenty of experience back, including the Scurpa family. Katelyn and Rachel Scurpa provide senior leadership for Sharpsville, while Paige and Kristen Scurpa are difference-makers as juniors. Katelyn, Kristen and Paige Scurpa were first-team all-region selections in 2010, while Kristen Scurpa was named the Region 1 Player of the Year. Also back for the Blue Darlings is Ashley Shuttleworth. Shuttleworth missed last season with a knee injury after leading Sharpsville as a freshman and sophomore in kills.

Schedule
September
7 Wilmington 7:15
13 at Kennedy Catholic* 7:15
15 at Commodore Perry* 7:15
20 West Middlesex* 7:15
22 Lakeview* 7:15
27 at Reynolds* 7:15
29 at Farrell* 7:15
October
4 Jamestown* 7:15
6 Kennedy Catholic* 7:15
11 Commodore Perry* 7:15
13 at West Middlesex* 7:15
18 at Lakeview* 7:15
20 Reynolds* 7:15
24 at Clarion 7:15
25 Farrell* 7:15
27 at Jamestown* 7:15

Friday: Slippery Rock, Strong Vincent, Titusville

– Tom Reisenweber

Sharon Tigers
Coach (season): Alysha Brown (7th season)
2010 overall record: 5-16
2010 region record (place): 2-12 (seventh)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Samantha Gera, Katie Bacon
Top returning players: Kendra Ham, Marcie Baker, Yonshalae Powell, Janayia Chester
Assistant coaches: Aaron Brown, Janine Stuart
Outlook: Sharon looks to make its move this fall with an experience group back. The Tigers lost two standouts in Samantha Gera and Katie Bacon but coach Alysha Brown has five starters back. Kendra Ham returns as Sharon’s captain. She led the Tigers in serve percentage last year and was second on the team in kills. Marcie Baker led the way in kills, while Yonshalee Powell led Sharon in Digs and Janayia Chester dished out the most assists. The Tigers will look for some contributions from the underclassmen to add some depth. Madison Peteros, a sophomore back row specialist, could see varsity action this fall.

Schedule
September
6 at Reynolds 7:15
8 at Conneaut Lake 7:15
12 Farrell 7:15
13 Mercer* 7:15
15 at Hickory* 7:15
20 Greenville* 7:15
22 at Meadville* 7:15
26 Jamestown 7:15
27 Grove City* 7:15
29 Slippery Rock* 7:15
October
3 Kennedy Catholic 7:15
4 at Wilmington* 7:15
6 at Mercer* 7:15
11 Hickory* 7:15
13 at Greenville* 7:15
18 Meadville* 7:15
20 at Grove City* 7:15
24 Oil City 7:15
25 at Slippery Rock* 7:15
27 Wilmington* 7:15

Later today: Sharpsville

– Tom Reisenweber

Seneca Bobcats
Coach (season): Betsy Walker (4th season)
2010 overall record: 1-17
2010 region record (place): 1-15 (ninth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Brittney Ferguson, Jacqueline Husted, Rebecca Johnston, Katy Keller, Christie Wnukowski, Sarah Ericson
Top returning players: Katie Teed, Sydney Boyles
Outlook: Seneca will be starting over this fall after winning one game last year. The Bobcats lost several standout seniors to graduation, including Brittney Ferguson, Jacqueline Husted, Rebecca Johnston, Katy Keller, Christie Wnukowski and Sarah Ericson. The Bobcats will look to rebuild and gain some experience as the year goes on. Seneca will have senior Sydney Boyles back as well as sophomore Katie Teed. The two saw plenty of playing time last year and will be valuable leaders this fall.

Schedule
September
6 at Corry* 7:15
8 North East* 7:15
13 at Fort LeBoeuf* 7:15
15 Fairview* 7:15
19 at Girard* 7:15
20 General McLane* 7:15
22 at Northwestern* 7:15
27 Iroquois* 7:15
October
3 at Harbor Creek 7:15
4 Corry* 7:15
6 at North East* 7:15
11 Fort LeBoeuf* 7:15
13 at Fairview* 7:15
17 Girard* 7:15
18 at General McLane* 7:15
20 Northwestern* 7:15
24 Harbor Creek 7:15
25 at Iroquois* 7:15

Later today: Sharon, Sharpsville

– Tom Reisenweber

Reynolds Raiders
Coach (season, record): Carla Hughes (4th season, 22-28)
2010 overall record: 13-8
2010 region record (place): 10-4 (second)
2010 playoff results: Lost in District 10 Class A pool play.
Top players lost: Kristen McDonald, Rachel Carpec
Top returning players: Staci Sommerfeld, Kaitlin Zoccola, Mikee McGarvey
Assistant coach: Julie Mowry
Outlook: Reynolds qualified for the playoffs in 2010 but couldn’t get out of pool play. The Raiders will look to take the next step this fall with nine returning seniors. Middle hitter Staci Sommerfeld, a first-team all-region selection, is back along with second-team libero Kaitlin Zoccola and setter Mikee McGarvey. Reynolds will have to replace two standouts in Kristen McDonald and Rachel Carpec. Coach Carla Hughes is looking for girls who are stepping into new roles to adjust and for the Raiders to improve their blocking and serving in camp. Reynolds is in a tough region with powerhouses like Sharpsville, but if Reynolds stays healthy, they will be back in the postseason.

Schedule
September
6 Sharon 7:15
8 at Greenville 7:15
13 at Lakeview* 7:15
15 at West Middlesex* 7:15
19 at Mercer 7:15
20 Farrell* 7:15
22 Commodore Perry* 7:15
27 Sharpsville* 7:15
29 at Jamestown* 7:15
October
4 Kennedy Catholic* 7:15
6 Lakeview* 7:15
10 Rocky Grove 7:15
11 West Middlesex* 7:15
13 at Farrell* 7:15
18 at Commodore Perry* 7:15
20 at Sharpsville* 7:15
25 Jamestown* 7:15
27 at Kennedy Catholic* 7:15

Thursday: Seneca, Sharon, Sharpsville

– Tom Reisenweber

Northwestern Wildcats
Coach (season, record): Kara Gonzales (2nd season at Northwestern, 4th season overall, 3-13 at Northwestern, 9-35 overall)
2010 overall record: 3-13
2010 region record (place): 3-13 (tied for eighth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Nicole Lockard, Erin Brockett
Top returning players: Ayrika Turner, Mackenzie Smith
Assistant coach: Anna Sabol
Outlook: Northwestern went through some tough times last year getting used to a new coach and system. The Wildcats won three matches but they are experienced this fall. Northwestern lost four seniors to graduation, including standouts Nicole Lockard and Erin Brockett, but there is plenty of depth back this season. Ayrika Turner and Mackenzie Smith lead a determined group of upperclassmen, while second-year coach Kara Gonzales is hoping to get some contributions from the lower levels. The Wildcats are in a brutal region with some of the district’s best teams making constant improvement tough to accomplish. Northwestern will focus on winning matches but getting the program to play at a high level and developing the underclassmen will be the keys this year.

Schedule
September
6 at Fairview* 7:15
8 Corry* 7:15
13 at General McLane* 7:15
15 Fort LeBoeuf* 7:15
19 at Iroquois* 7:15
20 Girard* 7:15
22 Seneca* 7:15
29 at North East* 7:15
October
4 Fairview* 7:15
6 at Corry* 7:15
11 General McLane* 7:15
13 at Fort LeBoeuf* 7:15
17 Iroquois* 7:15
18 at Girard* 7:15
20 at Seneca* 7:15
27 North East* 7:15

Tuesday: Reynolds, Rocky Grove, Saegertown

– Tom Reisenweber

North East Grapepickers
Coach (season, record): Sherry Elchynski (26th season, 243-150)
2010 overall record: 9-7
2010 region record (place): 9-7 (fourth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Kara Chapman, Jenna Buterbaugh
Top returning players: Kayla Rizzo, Stephanie Reagle, Miranda Gipe
Assistant coach: Stacy Swan
Outlook: North East returned to Region 5 last year and went through some growing pains in getting used to the intensity. The Grapepickers are looking to take another step this fall and return to the District 10 Class AA tournament. North East will look to replace two all-region players who have graduated. Jenna Buterbaugh, a three-year varsity middle hitter was named to the first team, and second-team selection Kara Chapman. Chapman set the season and career assist records as a senior. Returning for the ‘Pickers are Kayla Rizzo, Stephanie Reagle and Miranda Gipe. Rizzo was voted to the all-region second team as a libero, while Gipe will look to replace Chapman as North East’s setter. The ‘Pickers have been working hard in the offseason and could surprise a few teams in region play this fall.

Schedule
September
8 at Seneca* 7:15
13 at Fairview* 7:15
15 Corry* 7:15
19 at General McLane* 7:15
20 Fort LeBoeuf* 7:15
22 at Iroquois* 7:15
27 Girard* 7:15
29 Northwestern* 7:15
October
6 Seneca* 7:15
11 Fairview* 7:15
13 at Corry* 7:15
17 General McLane* 7:15
18 at Fort LeBoeuf* 7:15
20 Iroquois* 7:15
25 at Girard* 7:15
27 at Northwestern* 7:15

Tuesday: Northwestern, Oil City

– Tom Reisenweber

Mercyhurst Prep Lakers
Coach (season): Sean Amann (1st season)
2010 overall record: 8-7
2010 region record (place): 8-4 (third)
2010 playoff results: Lost to McDowell in the District 10 Class AAA championship.
Top player lost: Lindsey D’Andrea
Top returning players: Anna Evanoff, Kelsey Hooker
Assistant coach: Kelly Orlando
Outlook: Mercyhurst Prep will be starting over this fall with only two starters returning and a new coaching staff in place. Dana Amann takes over and will implement a new system this season. The Lakers will have to replace most of their starting lineup, including standout Lindsey D’Andrea. Anna Evanoff and Kelsey Hooker return to lead the way, while Lexie Campbell, Maggie Cavanaugh, Morgan Valone, Susana Lin, Lauren Kenny, Heather D’Andrea, Jen Robie and Ali Miller could contribute right away for Mercyhurst. The Lakers decided to play up in Class AAA for the current PIAA cycle and the move paid off. Mercyhurst qualified for the District 10 championship match but fell to powerhouse McDowell. The Lakers compete in a tough region with several strong Class AA teams. Mercyhurst will need some of the inexperienced players to step into starting roles right away for the Lakers to compete for a region a district title.

Schedule
September
6 at Eisenhower 7:15
8 at Hickory 7:15
13 at East* 7:15
15 Central Tech* 7:15
20 at McDowell* 7:15
22 Harbor Creek* 7:15
27 Strong Vincent* 7:15
October
4 at Villa Maria* 7:15
6 East* 7:15
11 at Central Tech* 7:15
13 McDowell* 7:15
18 at Harbor Creek* 7:15
20 at Strong Vincent* 7:15
27 Villa Maria* 7:15

Later today: North East

– Tom Reisenweber