SHENANDOAH — Some members of the Schuylkill Haven girls’ volleyball team were wearing deep blue shirts at a recent scrimmage against Shenandoah Valley.
On the front was written, “Live today ... ” On the back was, “... Because tomorrow is never promised.”
It is a lesson the Hurricanes know well. Schuylkill Haven will enter the 2015 season without head coach Nan Addvensky. Battling cancer, the eight-year head coach has taken a medical leave.
“I have not been able to talk to her much,” acting head coach Marci Luckenbill said. “It was basically a phone call from (athletic director) Mr. (Scott) Buffington asking me if I’d be willing to take over. I’m lucky that I have a flexible work schedule that’s going to allow me to do this.”
Luckenbill is one of four new head girls’ volleyball coaches in the Schuylkill League this season. The others are Victoria Nichols at Jim Thorpe, Emilie Baker at Tamaqua and Alice Scheib at Tri-Valley.
Those new coaches join a Schuylkill League whose championship has been won for the past two years by Marian. The Fillies have also appeared in the PIAA Class A championship match in both seasons, winning once.
But among coaches who submitted choices for the league champion, Marian’s run will be seriously challenged this season by Nativity. Head coach Jennifer Daubert’s Green Wave return their entire starting lineup.
For other schools, especially those with new coaches, the goals are more modest.
That includes Schuylkill Haven. Under Addvensky, the Hurricanes advanced to the District 11 Class A playoffs last season for the first time in a decade.
“It’s a great motivator because now the girls have tasted that. And the ones that are returning, they want to go back. There’s no doubt,” Luckenbill said.
To help get the team there, Luckenbill recruited the AAU coach for her daughter, 6-foot senior Madison Felty, and libero Tori Pascucci as her assistant coach.
“Brandi (Moyer) was one of the coaches for the club team, so as soon as we had an opening, that was my first phone call, was to get Brandi on board,” Luckenbill said, “which has been a godsend for me.”
Luckenbill said there was no such position as libero when she played at Millersville University,. Therefore, Moyer, the sister of former Blue Mountain standout Brittney Moyer, brings knowledge of today’s game to the team.
Nichols and Baker did not need to make such a hiring. Both are young coaches not so far removed from playing.
A 2010 Jim Thorpe graduate, Nichols, an assistant coach at Northwestern Lehigh last year, said, “It’s dear to my heart to be back into things as a coach, but it’s bittersweet. I wish I could play.”
Instead, she and assistant Sierra Fogel, a 2007 Jim Thorpe graduate, will attempt to rebuild the Olympian program.
While Jim Thorpe will have a veteran front line, Nichols is looking to the future.
“I want to be here for the long run,” she said. “I want to turn Jim Thorpe into the program that everyone talks about.”
That desire is echoed at Tamaqua, where Baker, a Nativity graduate, is looking to improve the Blue Raiders from last season’s one-win campaign.
“What’s going to matter is the girls getting their hands on a volleyball before they enter high school,” she said. “When I was hired, I said I’ve got to get in there right away and change this.”
Baker entered Tamaqua’s girls into a summer league at Hazleton and said she has seen improvement through that experience.
But Baker also senses her job is to bring intensity back to girls’ volleyball at Tamaqua.
“They were so excited that I had so much passion,” she said.
Marian head coach John Fallabel, entering his 14th season, said it’s hard not to notice the coaching changes around the league.
“That’s the big change,” he said. “There are a lot of young coaches around.”
DIVISION I Blue Mountain
Head coach: Nick Marrongelle (5th season)
Last year: 18-3, 12-1 D-I champion, District 11 Class AAA semifinalist
Returnees: Alex Ferrier (sr., MH), Erika Gerace (sr., DS), Alexis Juritsch (sr., OH), Hannah Long (sr., DS), Nicole McQuillan (sr., MH), Christie Challenger (jr., OPP), Jordan Skoff (jr., OH), Maya Throne (jr., L), Ashley Snesavage (soph., S)
Newcomers: Jerienne Abercrombie (soph., MH), Emily Moyer (soph., OH), Ava Zimmerman (soph., L)
Outlook: The defending Division I champion Eagles graduated All-Schuylkill League Division I Player of the Year Brittney Moyer but return five other players — Throne, Snesavage, Ferrier, Skoff and McQuillan — who received first-team or honorable-mention honors. The Eagles are on pace to defend their division title and repeat their postseason run.
Jim Thorpe
Head coach: Victoria Nichols (1st season)
Last year: 7-12, 4-9 D-I
Returnees: Erin Shigo (sr., OH), Angel Stauffer (sr., RS), Jillian Peterson jr., MH), Leah Detweiler (jr., RS), Joclyn Day (jr., S-RS), Jordan Waselus (soph., MH), Alexandra McGinley (soph., L), Mackenzie Rosenberger (soph., OH-MH), Alexa Romanchik (soph., RS), Rita Squillace (soph., DS), Emma Dunbar (soph., L)
Newcomer: Kelsey Carroll (fr., S)
Outlook: The Olympians will field a large group of returning players under one of Division I’s two new head coaches. Shigo returns after she was named an All-Schuylkill League Division I first-team all-star last season, but she will be working with a freshman as the team’s new varsity setter. Nichols put an emphasis on conditioning, hoping it will lead to a postseason berth.
Lehighton
Head coach: Timothy O’Connor (5th season)
Last year: 10-9. 7-6 D-I, District 11 Class AA qualifier
Returnees: Alyssa Jordan (sr., MH), Andrea Schafer (sr., OH), Katie Higgins (jr., OH), Tori Eads-Rodriguez (jr., S)
Newcomers: Haley Steigerwalt (jr., L), Erika Cruver (jr., MH), Cassandra Gower (jr., MH)
Outlook: The return of Higgins and Jordan, both All-Schuylkill League Division I all-stars, along with setter Eads-Rodriguez gives the Indians a solid base for their second season in the league. O’Connor said Lehighton must develop an offensive identity to be successful. Steigerwalt moves into the libero role.
Pottsville
Head coach: Maria Sherakas (18th season)
Last year: 10-6, 9-4 D-I, District 11 Class AAA qualifier
Returnees: Leah Guzick (sr., S), Kasie Shaw (sr., OH), Erin Goodman (sr., MH), Emily Zelinsky (sr., OH), Madison Sherakas (jr., OH), Kyra Schenk (jr., OH)
Newcomers: Chloe Bledsoe (jr., DS), Sarah Corse Campion (jr., MH), Becca Sites (jr., OH), Morgan Zimerofsky (jr., OH), Kassi Kuperavage (soph., DS), Rileigh McPhillips (soph., OH), Megan Skosnick (soph., S)
Outlook: The Crimson Tide must replace two All-Schuylkill League Division I players in Mariah Curry and Kendra Boris, but setter Guzick, an all-division honorable mention, returns along with several others who saw varsity playing time in 2014. This group’s ability to find its own identity will determine if Sherakas can get the 11 wins needed for 250 in her coaching career at Pottsville.
Tamaqua
Head coach: Emilie Baker (1st season)
Last year: 1-14, 0-13 D-I
Returnees: Alexis Baddick (sr., OH), Kaelyn Boran-Smith (sr., S-DS), Deidra Ressler (jr., OPP), Olivia Matula (jr., OPP-DS), Andrea Iacoviello (jr., L), Carly Kosciolek (soph., MH)
Newcomers: None reported
Outlook: Tamaqua turns to Baker, a former Republican-Herald All-Area standout at Nativity and right-side hitter at DeSales University, to turn around the program. The Blue Raiders will be led by Baddick. who returns at outside hitter, and Boran-Smith at setter. A few more wins would be a good start for Baker and the Blue Raiders.
DIVISION IILourdes
Head coach: Tara Bregensir (2nd season)
Last year: 2-18, 1-12 D-II
Returnees: Maya Yoder (sr., OH), Jessy Stankavage (sr., MH), Tyra Ericson (jr., S)
Newcomers: Madison Munson (fr., OH), Francis Czeponis (fr., MH)
Outlook: Bregensir’s bid to rebuild Lourdes’ program continues despite the loss of All-Schuylkill League Division II all-star Caity Funk and Amber Kogut. Ericson returns at setter, while Munson and Czeponis join the varsity squad in their freshman season. Lourdes will hope to improve its record.
Marian
Head coach: John Fallabel (13th season).
Last year: 25-1, 13-0 D-II champion, Schuylkill League champion, District 11 Class A champion, PIAA Class A runner-up
Returnees: Maureen Kloap (sr., OH), Abigail Stankiewitch (sr., MH), Courtney McCall (sr., S), Jasmine Mooney (soph., OH-OPP-S)
Newcomers: Danielle Spillman (sr., DS), Abby Pilla (sr., MH), Miranda Antiga (jr., RS-OH), Gianna Agosti (soph., L-OH)
Outlook: The Fillies graduated Republican-Herald All-Area Player of the Year Abby O’Donnell and fellow PVCA Class A All-State player Emily Pilla, but return another All-State player in Stankiewitch along with Kloap, who has starred in both PIAA Class A championship matches in the past two years. An experienced lineup will lean on a less experienced setter in McCall. The Fillies are favored to repeat their Division II title and to go deep into the postseason.
North Schuylkill
Head coach: Katie Malone (2nd season)
Last year: 7-11, 3-10 D-II
Returnees: Brielle Bolinsky (sr.,OH), Alanah Guerrero (sr., OH), Leanna Gregas (jr., MH-OH), Vanessa Ferraiolo (jr., S), Bria Hocking (jr., L)
Newcomers: Grace Major (jr., OH-MH), Sammy Shinkus (soph, OH)
Outlook: A strong junior class is maturing at North Schuylkill as four of the six members of the expected starting lineup come from that class. Though in a tough division, Malone thinks her team is ready to compete with all of its division rivals. An improvement in the record is a realistic goal.
Panther Valley
Head coach: Nancy Filer (16th season)
Last year: 11-5, 9-4 D-II
Returnees: Jamie Mikovich (sr., MH), Kelsey Van Horn (sr., S-OH), Cassidy Ryan (sr., OH), Hannah Hill (sr., MH), Alexandra Kennedy (sr., L), Danielle Hudicka (jr., S-OH)
Newcomers: None reported
Outlook: Consistently one of the stronger teams in the Schuylkill League, Panther Valley will turn to its seniors to keep the winning seasons going. Mikovich is a returning All-Schuylkill League Division II all-star while Van Horn is back as a setter. The Panthers are well-armed to keep winning under Filer, the longest-tenured head coach in the league.
Pine Grove
Head coach: Sasha Birosik (2nd season)
Last year: 8-9, 7-6 D-II, District 11 Class AA qualifier
Returnees: Alexa Kolb (jr., MH), Callie Edwards (sr., S), Maddilyn Carey (sr., OH), Brandi Wetzel (sr., DS), Chantel Christiansen (sr., DS), Taylor Dietrich (sr., RS)
Newcomers: Rebekah Kocher (sr., DS), Jessie Todero (sr., DS), Kayla Zimmerman (jr., DS-S), Maria Kaufman (jr., MH-RS), Kirby White (jr., RS), Chloe Readinger (soph., MH)
Outlook: Birosik begins her second season with a roster containing seven seniors who must adjust to new offensive and defensive alignments. The coach said early success will go a long way toward the team’s eventual record, but the experience returning should give the Cardinals a good chance to return to the district playoffs.
DIVISION IIIHalifax
Head coach: Jackie Miller (6th season)
Last year: 13-7, 8-6 D-III, District 3 Class A qualifier
Returnees: Kendall Lehman (sr., MH), Tori Lupold (sr., DS-L), Molly Smith (sr., DS-L)
Newcomers: Brianna Turner (jr., MH), Emily Miller (soph., MH-RS), Jordyn Ashberry (soph., S), Morgan Calhoun (soph., OH-S), Ella Starr (soph., DS-OH), Hollie Long (fr., OH)
Outlook: Two years removed from a division championship, Halifax continues to rebuild with a squad that contains seven sophomores and freshmen. The Wildcats will look for leadership from Lehman, an All-Schuylkill League Division III all-star.
Millersburg
Head coach: Richard Berg (3rd season)
Last year: 17-5, 12-2 D-III champion, Twin Valley Conference champion, Schuylkill League semifinalist, District 3 Class A semifinalist
Returnees: Taryn Herb (sr., MH)
Newcomers: None reported
Outlook: Berg lost a large, significant group to graduation that includes All-Schuylkill League Division III Player of the Year Samantha Hines, now competing at Penn State Harrisburg. He will rebuild with new players around Herb, an all-division first-team player last year who is one of the best all-around players in the league.
Tri-Valley
Head coach: Alice Scheib (1st season)
Last year: 15-5, 10-4 D-III, District 11 Class A semifinalist
Returnees: Maddie Deibert (sr., MH-OH), Reagan Newswanger (sr., S), Maddie Scheib (sr., MH), Alyssa Connell (sr., RS), Cat Troutman (sr., MH), Kathryn Sherry (sr., OH), Kylee Clark (jr., MH)
Newcomers: None reported
Outlook: Alice Scheib has a difficult act to follow as her predecessor, Heather Drumheller, led Tri-Valley to a 64-17 record over four seasons. But several strong players, led by All-Schuylkill Division III all-stars Deibert, Maddie Scheib and Newswanger, are back. That puts the Dawgs into contention for the division title.
Upper Dauphin
Head coach: Terry Bowser (3rd season)
Last year: 9-11, 5-9 D-III
Returnees: Laura Sweger (sr., MH), Kelsey Hoffman (sr., OH), Alexis Bowser (sr., OH), Madissen Miller (sr., OH-DS)
Newcomers: Mickayla Grow (jr., S), Autumn Wise (jr., MH), Alexis Weaver (soph., OH-OPP-S)
Outlook: The Trojans will have to replace three starters, including All-Schuylkill League Division III player Taylor Brown. Sweger, an all-division honorable mention as a junior, returns after leading the Trojans in blocks and kills in 2014. The rest of the lineup must step up to enable Upper Dauphin to match last season’s record.
Williams Valley
Head coach: Judy Schappe (2nd season)
Last year: 6-14, 3-11 D-III
Returnees: Jenna Daniels (sr., MH), Morgan Matter (sr., S-OH), Rylie Thomas (sr., S)
Newcomers: Brittanie Rhoades (jr., OH), Savannah Slough (jr., MH)
Outlook: Schappe’s second season at the helm will be a rebuilding effort after eight seniors graduated and 12 girls came out for the program. Daniel, an All-Schuylkill League Division III honorable mention, will lead the Vikings. Thomas is moving from libero to setter.
DIVISION IVMahanoy Area
Head coach: Chris Fallabel (2nd season)
Last year: 11-7, 10-5 D-IV, District 11 Class A qualifier
Returnees: Mychaellah Lucas (sr., S-OH), Desiree Malacusky (sr., MH), Mickayla Backo (sr., OH), Jennie Neifert (sr., OH-OPP), Amberly Blashock (sr., MH-OH, OPP), Samantha Gnall (jr., S-OPP), Sydney Gnall (soph., L)
Newcomers: Kendall Bernardyn (fr., MH), Madison Cavenas (fr., MH), Cheyenne Dunlap (fr., S), Allison Scheeler (fr., OH-OPP-MH)
Outlook: Lucas, an All-Schuylkill League Division IV all-star, returns to lead an experienced squad that Fallabel thinks is ready to contend for a division title. Fallabel said the Golden Bears’ defense is a strength, but that the team’s progress will depend on how it handles pressure in matches.
Minersville
Head coach: Kenton Martin (4th season)
Last year: 14-7, 9-6 D-IV, District 11 Class A qualifier
Returnees: Meg Schwalm (sr., L), Alexis Huntzinger (sr., MH), Abby Schappe (sr., DS), Lauren Womer (sr., S), Emily Bartashus (jr., OH), Erica Nettles (jr., OH), Maura Bentz (jr., S), Reilly Lonergan (jr., MH)
Newcomers: Cassidy Barton (jr., OH-OPP), Makenzie Cullen (soph., MH)
Outlook: Minersville will field an experienced roster led by Schwalm, an All-Schuylkill League Division IV first-team libero. Also with a veteran setter, the Battlin’ Miners are poised to make a run at the Division IV championship and to advance further in the District 11 postseason.
Nativity
Head coach: Jennifer Daubert (4th season)
Last year: 18-5, 14-1 D-IV champion, Schuylkill League runner-up, District 11 Class A runner-up
Returnees: Jocelyn Holobetz (sr., OH), Ashley Strausser (sr., OH-MH), Cecelia DiNicola (sr., MH), Carley Lionetto (sr., L), Shannon Reiley (sr., MH-OH), Noelle Steele (jr., S), Emily Yordy (soph., RS)
Newcomers: Olivia Smarr (sr., MH), Desiree Riegel (jr., DS), Allegra Miske (jr., DS)
Outlook: No team will return more experienced players than the Green Wave. The entire starting lineup, including All-Schuylkill League Division IV Player of the Year Holobetz and first-team selections Strausser, Lionetto and Steele, return. Nativity is favored to repeat as division champion and to advance well into the postseason.
Schuylkill Haven
Acting head coach: Marci Luckenbill (1st season)
Last year: 10-11, 7-8 D-IV, District 11 Class A qualifier
Returnees: Macy Dayson (sr., OH), Ashley Ferrando (sr., S), Madison Felty (jr., MH), Tori Pascucci (soph., L)
Newcomers: Kiara Harris (jr., DS), Abby Yaeger (soph., MH-OH), Erin Boyer (soph., OH), Madison Deegan (soph., DS-OH), Kaitlyn Tinari (soph., OH)
Outlook: Coming off its first District 11 playoff qualification in 10 years, the Hurricanes will attempt to keep improving under Luckenbill, who steps in for Nan Addvensky. Schuylkill Haven is paced by All-Schuylkill League Division IV first-team setter Pascucci, who has moved to libero. Ferrando instead will set for an offense that features Felty, who received all-star honorable mention from the division’s coaches last season.
Shenandoah Valley
Head coach: Leanne Hall (8th season)
Last year: 3-15, 2-13 D-IV
Returnees: Marcella Creasy (sr., MH-OH), Alaina Demalis (sr., L)
Newcomers: Molly Michalik (jr., OH), Allison Wargo (soph., MH), Emily Demalis (fr,. S)
Outlook: Hall will work with a younger squad this fall as seven of the 11 varsity players are juniors and sophomores who will work with a freshman setter in Emily Demalis. The Blue Devils are a work in progress hoping to improve upon last year’s win total.
Weatherly
Head coach: Kristy Fiore (2nd season)
Last year: 1-19, 0-15 D-IV
Returnees: Jackie Gillot (sr., S), Alexis Hartz (sr., OH-MH), Megan McClintock (sr., OH-MH)
Newcomers: Samantha Andreuzzi (soph., MH-OH), Kim Carter (soph., OH-DS), Emily Zoscin (fr., MH-OH)
Outlook: Fiore’s bid to rebuild the Wrecker program got a boost this fall with the arrival of 14 freshmen to the roster, including Zoscin, who will make the varsity team. Brighter times are ahead for Weatherly, but a few more wins are a realistic goal in 2015.