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Maplewood’s Emily Merritt and Madalyn Nicols were among five District 10 girls named to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class A All-State Team today.

Cochranton’s Aubrey Hering and Sharpsville’s Paige Scurpa and Kristen Scurpa also claimed spots on the team.

Merritt is a 5-foot 6-inch senior libero who recently was named to the District 10 All-Star Team. Nicols, just a sophomore, is a 5-foot 8-inch outside hitter. The duo helped the Tigers to a District 10 Class A title.

Hering, a 5-foot 10-inch senior, was a standout middle hitter for the Cardinals.

Kristen Scurpa, a 5-foot 7-inch senior setter, and Paige Scurpa, a 5-foot 9-inch senior outside hitter, helped Sharpsville to a runner-up finish in D-10 Class A. Kristen Scurpa recently was selected to the District 10 All-Star Team.

Last week, McDowell’s Danielle Hayes landed a spot on to the Class AAA all-state team.

The PVCA has not released its Class AA all-state team.

Check out the entire Class A all-state team.

Sharpsville Blue Devils
Coach (season, record): Scott Scurpa (8th season, 94-19)
2011 overall record: 18-2
2011 region record (place): 14-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Qualified for the District 10 Class A playoffs and went 2-1 in pool play. Sharpsville then lost to Linesville 25-13, 25-20 in the District 10 Class A semifinals.
Top players lost: Katelyn Scurpa, Ashley Shuttleworth, Rachel Scurpa
Top returning players: Kristen Scurpa, Paige Scurpa, Alex Ferrara, Madison Przicina
Assistant coach: Chad Anderson
Outlook: Sharpsville has built one of the most consistent volleyball programs in District 10 over the past few years and is looking to put together another successful season. The Blue Devils lost to eventual state champion Linesville in the District 10 Class A semifinals and with the Lions consolidating to Conneaut and leaving Class A, Sharpsville could be the favorite this year in D-10. The Blue Devils will have to replace standout players Katelyn Scurpa, Ashley Shuttleworth and Rachel Scurpa. Shuttleworth was named to the all-district team and the Region 1 Player of the Year at outside hitter. She was also voted to the all-region first team. Katelyn Scurpa was voted to the first team at middle hitter, while Rachel Scurpa was a second-team setter. The Blue Devils have a solid group back to lead the underclassmen. Paige Scurpa (outside hitter) and Alex Ferrara (libero) were voted to the first team as juniors and Madison Przicina had a terrific freshman season resulting in a second-team selection at setter. Sharpsville also returns letter winners Madelyn Shuttleworth, Rachel D’Auria and Megan Davis. The Blue Devils could dominate Region 1 again but they need to improve as the season goes on to make another serious run at the District 10 Class A championship.

Schedule
September
6 at Wilmington 7:30
11 at Jamestown* 7:30
13 at Reynolds* 7:30
18 Farrell* 7:30
20 Commodore Perry* 7:30
25 West Middlesex* 7:30
26 at Lakeview* 7:30
27 at Conneaut 7:30
October
2 Kennedy Catholic* 7:30
4 Jamestown* 7:30
9 Reynolds* 7:30
11 at Farrell* 7:30
16 at Commodore Perry* 7:30
17 McDowell 7:30
18 at West Middlesex* 7:30
22 Lakeview* 7:30
23 Clarion 7:30
25 at Kennedy Catholic* 7:30
*Region 1 matches

Friday: Slippery Rock and Strong Vincent

– 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