Jim Schall steps down as girls volleyball coach at Penn-Trafford

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 11:01 AM

There will be a new person coaching the Penn-Trafford girls volleyball team next year.

Longtime coach Jim Schall said he felt it was time to step away. It will allow him to spend more time with his family (wife Nancy and children Patrick and Kate) and focus more on the boys’ team, which he started 22 years ago.

He said coaching both probably took away from both programs.

Penn-Trafford finished the 2023 season with a 12-4 record and was champion of Section 3 with an 8-0 record. The Warriors then defeated Bethel Park, 3-1, in the first round of the playoffs.

During his 26-year tenure, the Warriors girls’ team won numerous section titles, reached the WPIAL semifinals twice and qualified for the PIAA tournament. His career record with the girls was 282-125.

Penn-Trafford will graduate nine players this year, including first-team all-section players Ella Dindak (setter), Elle Visco (outside hitter), Olivia Pepple (middle hitter) and Maci Hohman (libero).

Schall said the team is losing a lot of good players who played key roles to the success of the program.

The team will return three key contributors next season in juniors Kaci DePalma (outside hitter), Kamryn Pieper (middle hitter) and Kylie Anthony (outside hitter).

“We have some good players returning and good players coming up in the system,” Schall said. “The program is in good shape.”

Schall said doing both teams took its toll. He said one season would end and the next season would start three days later.

“I enjoyed coaching the girls,” Schall said. “We had a lot of good players come through the system. Coaching one team will allow me to do other things.”

Schall replaced Dave Ernette in 1998.

“I’m disappointed that he’s stepping down, but I understand why,” Penn-Trafford athletic director Kerry Hetrick said. “He’s done a great job. Unfortunately, we’ll start the process of looking for his replacement. We’ll post the job internally first.”

Schall said he enjoyed coaching his children, who are both attending Penn State.

“At least I was with one of them when I was coaching them,” Schall said. “I don’t think there is ever a good time to step away, but I felt this was the time.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn-Trafford