Vosefski back at helm for Latrobe girls volleyball, hopes to lead Wildcats to playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 11, 2017 | 6:27 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

Drew Vosefski is back coaching the Latrobe girls volleyball team, and the Wildcats are excited to have him.

Vosefski, who has coached the Latrobe boys squad for 18 years, is thrilled to be back on the bench this fall. He was the girls coach from 2001-07 and an assistant for a handful of seasons afterward.

“Being my first year back after a four-year hiatus from coaching the girls, things are going better than I could ever have expected,” he said. “These girls are hungry to get to a higher level of volleyball play. They're buying in and working extremely hard.”

The Wildcats haven't been to the WPIAL playoffs since 2011 when Vosefski was an assistant. They hope to get back to the tournament now that he's back on the bench.

“Our goal is to compete for a section championship and to make the end-of-the-year dance in the playoffs,” Vosefski said. “In our section, Norwin, Penn-Trafford and Hempfield always have had very strong teams. I think, seriously, that this team can compete with any one of them this year and make some noise in our section.”

Latrobe returns some experience. Senior middle hitter Terese Mihalcin was named to the Section 3-4A second team last year. Junior outside hitter Savina Pavlik, a Greensburg Central Catholic transfer, was a key part the Centurions' WPIAL and PIAA Class A championship squad. Senior Hailey Thiel (libero), juniors Carly Augustine (setter), Kameran Giannilli (defensive specialist), Bethany Havrilla (outside hitter), Chasey Mercado (middle blocker) and Sydney Mizikar (outside hitter) and sophomore Sadie Wetzel (opposite hitter) are other core players for the squad. Seniors Riely Grabiak (defensive specialist), Adrianna Guarino (opposite hitter), Gabby Oldenburg (opposite hitter) and Vicki Potter (defensive specialist) and junior defensive specialists Kassidi Dominick, Johna Roche and Landrey Quinn and sophomores Lauren Cammerata (middle blocker), Abby Rullo (setter) and Sara Vasinko (outside hitter) could all contribute in the rotation.

“It's a very good mix,” Vosefski said. “We have a lot of kids who saw some court time last year. From what I am seeing and how much they have worked to develop their skills, they're going to be good players. A lot of them play club volleyball also, and that helps with their skill throughout the year.

“I am trying to bring the speed and intensity from the men's game to their game. They've all seemed to step up and embrace it. It's fun and exciting to watch them play.”

Vosefski has been pleased with the team's ability to adapt to a new coaching staff and system.

“I've noticed the biggest strength is the camaraderie of the girls. They're all playing for each other and not themselves. It makes coaching so much easier. They all have the physical skills, but, if you have that cohesiveness, it makes the coaching go smoothly,” he said. “I have a great bunch of young ladies. They are just sponges for information and willing to do what it takes to be great volleyball players. They are learning and translating it onto the court.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Latrobe