Greensburg Salem volleyball prepares for final push for playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, September 30, 2018 | 6:24 PM

Banners depicting members of the Greensburg Salem girls volleyball team hang from the gymnasum bleachers. There are enough banners to make the casual observer think each player is represented.

But it’s only the seniors.

The Lions are coming off back-to-back section titles in 2016 and ‘17. This year, the team, of which 13 of 24 players are seniors, entered a new section that has presented new challenges. A team used to winning dropped three matches in a row, falling to 4-4 before a win over Woodland Hills on Thursday.

“Two out of the three we played well but struggled with finishing,” coach Taylor Guido said. “(Against) Hempfield, they just didn’t show up.”

Now 5-4, the Lions must win eight matches in a row to reach the playoffs.

“We’ve always coached them to be underdogs in terms of mindsets and being gritty and relentless,” Guido said. “Now, they’ve kind of put themselves in the underdog position. Before (Woodland Hills), I told them it’s not over.”

Guido has been coaching many of the girls since they were in middle school, something she describes as “amazing but definitely emotional.” Many of the seniors started playing varsity as sophomores, and it shows in their chemistry and communication on the court.

“It’s just fun that we get to be together and be a team. After these past few years, we see each other as a family, not as a team,” senior Natalie Forkey said.

One of those 13 senior “family members,” Mya Berger, acts as the de facto emotional captain. On the court, Berger is bouncy and boisterous. She will yell at her teammates, yell at the opposing team and yell at herself. But it’s all positive energy.

“I’m a very loud person,” Berger said, laughing. “I try to get everyone excited, make sure everyone is loud. … A lot of the teams get irritated with me because I’m like screaming in their faces.”

Forkey describes Berger’s passion as a chain reaction. She’s contagious. It’s the communicable energy the Lions will need if they are going to make the playoffs.

Greensburg Salem will continue that push Tuesday with a match at McKeesport.

Nathanael Gabler is a freelance writer.

Tags: Greensburg Salem