Players announced for 2nd annual We Serve First All-Star Classic girls volleyball event

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | 12:54 PM

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After a successful inaugural We Serve First Foundation all-star girls volleyball event last year, many involved in the sport locally are gearing up for this year’s festivities Dec. 2 at Kiski Area High School.

Seniors from throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley and other schools in the region have been selected to take part in the matches.

It is an opportunity for 40 players from teams in different classifications to share the same court in a competitive setting.

Four of those players, seniors on WPIAL Class 3A champion Hampton — libero Avery Koontz and hitters Allison Shepner, Emmy Schrom, and Emma Rick — are preparing to go after a state championship at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Cumberland Valley High School against District 1 champion Pope John Paul II.

Doors at Kiski Area at 3 p.m. Dec. 2, with player/coach introductions at 3:30.

First-round games begin at 4:15.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students, and children under 5 are free. They can be purchased in advance by calling 724-493-5945. They also will be sold at the door the day of the event.

Proceeds from the event will support the We Serve First Foundation.

The foundation was established in 2015 by the late Ellen Toy, a longtime high school and club volleyball coach in Western Pennsylvania, and her husband Tim to support high school volleyball players by providing scholarships to participate on club volleyball teams and at volleyball camps.

“The We Serve First Foundation seeks out young athletes with financial burdens, regardless of their age or skill level, and helps them find a love for competition in a team sport,” executive director Tim Toy said. “This helps these young people develop valuable skills necessary to compete not only in sports, but also in life. I know how proud Ellen would be of how well this has worked and in all the athletes it has served up to now.”

For more information on the foundation or the all-star classic, contact Tim Toy at 724-493-5945 or at weserve1st@gmail.com.

We Serve First

All-Star Girls Volleyball Classic

Dec. 2, 2023

Kiski Area High School

Senior all-star selections

Liberos

Avery Koontz, Hampton

Sophia DiGregorio, Armstrong

Scarlett Hancock, Fox Chapel

Gia Hornack, Burrell

Defensive specialists

Mackenzie Haus, Valley

Jaden Benko, Highlands

Emma Peck, Kiski Area

Setters

Halie Walmsley, Valley

Giavonna Spagnola, Leechburg

Jocelyn Emrock, Apollo-Ridge

Brynne Smith, Knoch

Isabella Savko, Springdale

Grace Beach, Freeport

Middle hitters

Maria Hunter, Plum

Grace Huang, Franklin Regional

Kali Allensworth, Armstrong

Josie Russo, Freeport

Autumn English, Freeport

Eliah Lippincott, Thomas Jefferson

Ciara Oleza, Deer Lakes

Addy Rusek, Burrell

Allison Shepner, Hampton

Outside/opposite hitters

Jessica Staraniec, Valley

Marly Koleno, Apollo-Ridge

Sierra Mock, Knoch

Ava Biagi, Springdale

Brooke Signorella, Highlands

Emmy Schrom, Hampton

Chloe Welschans, Kiski Area

Sydney Selker, Freeport

Brooke Dineff, Deer Lakes

Bella Greenwald, Burrell

Maggie Brewer, West Shamokin

Emma Rick, Hampton

Hailey Depkon, Plum

Callie Ancosky, Leechburg

Coaches

Dakoda Fickes, Kiski Area

Tami Caraway, Mars

Rachel Satira, Plum

Michelle Dickerson, Highlands

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.