District 11 Girls’ Volleyball Preview
Class A semifinals
When: Today
Where: At Martz Hall
Ticket prices: $6 per adult; $3 per student
First match, 5:30 p.m.
Minersville (19-2) vs. Nativity (16-3)
About Minersville
Head coach: Kenton Martin (4th season)
How they got here: Defeated Mahanoy Area 3-0 in quarterfinal round
Starting rotation: Alexis Huntzinger (sr., MH), Meg Schwalm (sr., L), Lauren Womer (sr., S), Emily Bartashus (jr., OH-OPP), Maura Bentz (jr., S), Reiley Lonergan (jr., MH), Erica Nettles (jr., OH).
Key fact: Nativity has sent Minersville to its two losses this season.
About Nativity
Head coach: Jennifer Daubert (4th season)
How they got here: Earned a quarterfinal bye with its second seed in the bracket.
Starting rotation: Ashley Strausser (sr., OH), Carley Lionetto (sr., L), Emily Yordy (soph., RS), Cecilia DiNicola (sr., MH), Jocelyn Holobetz (sr., OH), Noelle Steele (jr., S), Shannon Reiley (sr., MH)
Key fact: Holobetz has posted 31 kills against Minersville in two matches in 2015.
Second match, 7 p.m.
Tri-Valley (16-4) vs. Marian (16-2)
About Tri-Valley
Head coach: Alice Scheib (1st season)
How they got here: Defeated Salem Christian 3-0 in quarterfinal round
Starting rotation: Alyssa Connell (sr., RS), Maddie Deibert (sr., OH), Reagan Newswanger (sr., S), Kat Sherry (sr., OH), Cat Troutman (sr., MH), Kylee Clark (jr., MH), Tara Bernes (jr., L)
Key fact: Last faced Marian in last year’s District 11 Class A semifinal.
About Marian
Head coach: John Fallabel (13th season)
How they got here: Received quarterfinal bye because of their top seed
Starting rotation: Courtney McCall (sr., S), Danielle Spillman (sr., DS), Abigail Stankiewitch (sr., MH), Maureen Kloap (sr., OH), Abby Pilla (sr., MH), Gianna Agosti (soph., L), Jasmine Mooney (soph., OH)
Key fact: Schuylkill League champs have won 15 consecutive matches.
Class AA semifinal
Blue Mountain (19-2) vs.
Allentown Central Catholic (14-5)
When: 5:30 p.m. today
Where: Saucon Valley High School
Ticket prices: $6 per adult; $3 per student
About Blue Mountain
Head coach: Nick Marrongelle (5th season)
How they got here: Defeated Saucon Valley 3-0 in quarterfinal round
Starting rotation: Maya Throne (jr., L), Jordan Skoff (jr., OH), Alex Ferrier (sr., MH), Ashley Snesavage (soph., S), Nicole McQuillan (sr., MH), Lex Juritsch (sr., OH), Hannah Long (sr., OPP)
Key fact: Lost to Notre Dame-Green Pond in the semifinals of each of the last two District 11 tournaments.
About Allentown Central Catholic
Head coach: Laurie Corcoran
How they got here: Defeated Lehighton 3-0 in quarterfinal round
Players to watch: Morgan Shoemaker (sr., MH), Jessica Smith (sr., L), Dana Roberts (jr., MH-OH), Julia Bradford (jr., S)
Key fact: Bradford had 40 assists, 11 service points and three aces against Lehighton.
— Compiled by Chuck Curley