Norwin girls volleyball seeks to take next step in WPIAL playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 7, 2018 | 7:27 PM

It is now or never for the seniors on the Norwin girls volleyball team.

The group has been part of a lot of success with the Knights during the previous three seasons — a pair of section titles, three postseason berths, a ton of wins.

But the program has had only one win in the WPIAL playoffs during the span. The nine-player senior class is ready to change that.

“Our goal is to change the past and advance further in the playoffs,” senior Jameson Stoner said. “This is what we have all worked so hard for over the past several years. We are all so competitive and incredibly driven. It’s definitely our time.”

The senior class has a strong cohesiveness that should benefit them on the court. Entering her 12th season coaching the varsity squad, Mary Ellen Ferragonio said Norwin has a team unity that is driving results.

“This group really does support one another no matter what,” Ferragonio said. “They support each other on and off the bench. They work really well together as a team. Even the sophomores coming in. They just jell together.”

The senior class is led by Rachel Langsdorf. The outside hitter was an all-section selection last season.

“She is a natural leader,” Ferragonio said. “She brings enthusiasm to every game and is always upbeat.”

The senior class features another outside hitter in Rebecca Miller. Madison Auld and Stoner return at right-side hitter, while Rachel Zabelsky is back at middle hitter. The Knights return a pair of senior setters in Hannah Horvath and Victoria Saunders.

Senior defensive specialists Rachel Milke and Madison Yaniga also return.

Juniors Victoria Nicholes and Cassie Cole help boost the middle hitter position. Defensive specialist Amanda Lee is expected to see significant time on the court.

“I think a huge strength for us this season has to be the amount of talent on the team,” Stoner said. “Most of us play on travel teams in our offseason, and this really helped to up our intensity.”

Norwin opened the season with a 3-0 win over Gateway on Aug. 31. On Sept. 1, the Knights finished fourth at the Mt. Lebanon tournament. The Knights opened Section 3-4A play with a 3-0 win over Plum on Tuesday and a 3-0 win over Penn Hills on Thursday.

The section should once again provide a challenge to the Knights. Last season, they finished tied on top of the Section 3-4A standings with Penn-Trafford at 8-2. The Warriors should be top competition again, along with Hempfield and Connellsville.

“Latrobe is going to be very strong,” Ferragonio said. “I saw some of their players in club play. I don’t know what to expect from Penn Hills or Plum because they are new. But overall, I don’t foresee an easy game on the schedule.”

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.

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