WPIAL 5-A and 6-A Classifications Sports News
Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network
PENNSYLVANIA VOLLEYBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION ALL-STATE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAMS
Avery Butcher – North Allegheny
Natalie Carr – Canon-McMillan
Olivia Congdon – Seneca Valley
Ella Dindak – Penn-Trafford
Marin Dunaway – North Allegheny
Jamie Frisco – North Allegheny
Kali Holmes – Peters Township
Isabelle Hoppe – Pine-Richland
Kyra Schmidt – North Allegheny
Bria Stepp – Seneca Valley
Grace Triebsch – Upper St. Clair
Abby Tucker – Canon-McMillan
On Tuesday, the PIAA released updated enrollments numbers for all sports for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. These lists are not finalized as teams have until Friday to decide to “play up” in classification. There will also be teams forced to move up because of the PIAA competitive-balance rule which is not determined until after each season is over. But for now here is what we have for classifications for the next two seasons:
Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network
GIRLS SOCCER
(1-2) Conestoga 3, (7-1) Fox Chapel 2
Conestoga (20-3)
Lauren Grimes – GW Goal with 2:05 left in regulation
Fox Chapel (14-5-2)
Maddie Grimsley – Goal
Emily McKee – Goal
(7-2) North Allegheny 3, (3-1) Central Dauphin 2
North Allegheny (22-1)
Ally Ruiz – 3 Goals
Advances to the PIAA Semifinals where they will face District 1 runner-up Conestoga on Tuesday at Chambersburg High School at 4 pm.
Central Dauphin (22-1)
Makenna Kirk – 2 Goals
BOYS SOCCER
(1-6) CB South 2, (7-2) North Allegheny 0
CB South (18-5-2)
Advances to the PIAA Semifinals where they will take on WPIAL Champion Norwin at 6 pm at Chambersburg High School on Tuesday.
(7-1) Norwin 2, (1-2) Abington 1 (PK)
Norwin (17-5-1)
Won 5-3 in penalty kicks. Moves on to play the 6th place finisher out of District 1, CB South, at 6 pm at Chambersburg High School in the PIAA Semifinals.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
(3-1) Hempfield 3, (7-2) Canon-McMillan 1
Hempfield – 25 25 19 25 – 3
Canon-McMillan – 14 18 25 21 – 1
Canon-McMillan (16-5)
Natalie Carr – 15 kills
Abby Tucker – 10 kills
Josie Carter – 18 assists
Julia Murdy – 15 digs
(7-1) North Allegheny 3, (3-3) Dallastown 1
North Allegheny – 23 25 25 25 – 3
Dallastown – 25 18 19 18 – 1
North Allegheny (18-1)
Will face off with Landisville Hempfield on Tuesday at 5:30 pm in the PIAA Semifinals at Hollidaysburg High School. Landisville Hempfield defeated North Allegheny 3-0 in the regular season, that is North Allegheny’s only loss.
Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
#3 CANON-McMILLAN (15-3) vs. #1 NORTH ALLEGHENY (15-1) at PETERS TOWNSHIP – 5 PM
#3 CANON-McMILLAN
QUARTERFINALS: def. #6 Penn-Trafford 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23). Natalie Carr had 22 kills and 13 digs. Abby Tucker had 13 kills and Josie Carter had 17 assists and 16 digs.
SEMIFINALS: def. #2 Seneca Valley 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-21). Natalie Carr had 11 kills and 7 digs, Cali Dagen added 8 kills, Olivia Gross tacked on 12 assists and 4 kills, Julia Murdy pitched in 11 digs, Sophia Powell had 11 digs, Josie Carter had 11 assists and 9 digs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Julia Murdy, Olivia Gross, Natalie Carr, Abby Tucker, Josie Carter, Emily Lukasewicz, Cali Dagen
WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (2019)
#1 NORTH ALLEGHENY
QUARTERFINALS: def. #9 Hempfield 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-17)
SEMIFINALS: def. #4 Pine-Richland 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-19)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Avery Butcher, Jamie Frisco, Mackenzie Jones, Molly Robertson, Kyra Schmidt, Caileigh Duffy, Marin Dunaway
WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 9 (1993, 1996, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021)
2019 WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Canon-McMillan def. North Allegheny 3-2 in the 2019 WPIAL Championship. The loss for North Allegheny was the first in 3 years and ended a 65-game winning streak.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
WPIAL SEMIFINALS
#1 North Allegheny 3, #4 Pine-Richland 0
North Allegheny – 25 26 25 – 3
Pine-Richland – 15 24 19 – 0
For complete story, click here.
#3 Canon-McMillan 3, #2 Seneca Valley 0
Canon-McMillan – 26 25 25 – 3
Seneca Valley – 24 18 21 – 0
Canon-McMillan (15-3)
Natalie Carr – 11 kills, 7 digs
Cali Dagen – 8 kills
Olivia Gross – 12 assists, 4 kills
Julia Murdy – 11 digs
Sophia Powell – 11 digs
Josie Carter – 11 assists, 9 digs
Abby Tucker – 4 kills, 4 blocks
Brooke Peters – 3 aces
North Allegheny and Canon-McMillan will face off in the WPIAL Championship on Saturday at Peters Township. This is a rematch of the 2019 WPIAL Championship, Canon-McMillan won that match 3-2 ending North Allegheny’s 65-game winning streak.
| SECTION 1 | |||
| FIRST TEAM | |||
| NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | GRADE |
| Sofia Morse | Pine-Richland | Setter | Senior |
| Bria Stepp | Seneca Valley | Setter | Senior |
| Avery Butcher | North Allegheny | Libero | Senior |
| Kara Pasquale | Seneca Valley | Libero | Senior |
| Audrey Lehman | Butler | Hitter | Junior |
| Ashlyn Fazio | North Hills | Hitter | Sophomore |
| Jamie Frisco | North Allegheny | Hitter | Senior |
| Isabelle Hoppe | Pine-Richland | Setter | Sophomore |
| Ollivia Congdon | Seneca Valley | Hitter | Senior |
| COACH OF THE YEAR | |||
| Russ Hoburg | North Allegheny | ||
| SECOND TEAM | |||
| NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | GRADE |
| Mackenzie Jones | North Allegheny | Setter | Junior |
| Sadie Reese | Seneca Valley | Setter | Junior |
| Giana Cutenese | North Hills | Libero | Senior |
| Megan DeKunder | Pine-Richland | Libero | Sophomore |
| Molly Robertson | North Allegheny | Setter | Freshman |
| Kyra Schmidt | North Allegheny | Hitter | Senior |
| Piper Vogel | Pine-Richland | Blocker | Freshman |
| Kaylee Oglan | Pine-Richland | Hitter | Senior |
| Katie Craig | Seneca Valley | Hitter | Senior |
| HONORABLE MENTION | |||
| NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | GRADE |
| Caileigh Duffy | North Allegheny | Libero | Senior |
| Sarah Szebalskie | Butler | Hitter | Senior |
| Channing Popvich | Butler | Hitter | Junior |
| Brynn Cornibe | Butler | Hitter | Sophomore |
| Zoey Allen | North Hills | Hitter | Senior |
| Addyson Wrigley | North Hills | Hitter | Junior |
| Marin Dunaway | North Allegheny | Hitter | Senior |
| Valerie Menke | Pine-Richland | Blocker | Sophomore |
| Kennedy Peffer | Seneca Valley | Hitter | Sophomore |
| SECTION 2 | |||
| FIRST TEAM | |||
| NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | GRADE |
| Julia Murdy | Canon-McMillan | Libero | Senior |
| Olivia Gross | Canon-McMillan | Setter | Senior |
| Aliyah Angelici | Upper St. Clair | Setter | Junior |
| Natalie Carr | Canon-McMillan | Hitter | Sophomore |
| Grace Triebsch | Upper St. Clair | Blocker | Senior |
| Abby Tucker | Canon-McMillan | Blocker | Junior |
| Kali Holmes | Peters Township | Hitter | Sophomore |
| Cassidy Sullivan | Bethel Park | Setter | Junior |
| Hayden Culp | Upper St. Clair | Hitter | Sophomore |
| COACH OF THE YEAR | |||
| Sheila Mitchell | Canon-McMillan | ||
| SECOND TEAM | |||
| NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | GRADE |
| Anaya Walsh | Mt. Lebanon | Libero | Junior |
| Josie Carter | Canon-McMillan | Setter | Senior |
| Isadora DeMacedo | Mt. Lebanon | Setter | Junior |
| Sarah McShane | Upper St. Clair | Libero | Sophomore |
| Lyla Josefoski | Peters Township | Hitter | Senior |
| Sofia Ellison | Peters Township | Libero | Senior |
| Emily Lukasewicz | Canon-McMillan | Blocker | Senior |
| Gabriella Gealy | Bethel Park | Setter | Senior |
| Cali Dagen | Canon-McMillan | Hitter | Junior |
| HONORABLE MENTION | |||
| NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | GRADE |
| Ashley Skowronski | Baldwin | Libero | Sophomore |
| Claire Brula | Peters Township | Setter | Senior |
| Alex Cortes | Upper St. Clair | Setter | Senior |
| Kaitlyn Devine | Peters Township | Blocker | Junior |
| Megan Hufnagel | Upper St. Clair | Blocker | Junior |
| Cari Michaels | Mt. Lebanon | Blocker | Junior |
| Calla Dressler | Upper St. Clair | Libero | Senior |
| Becca Wilcox | Mt. Lebanon | Hitter | Junior |
| Sarah Collins | Peters Township | Blocker | Senior |
| SECTION 3 | |||
| FIRST TEAM | |||
| NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | GRADE |
| Ella Dindak | Penn-Trafford | Setter | Senior |
| Maci Hohman | Penn-Trafford | Libero | Senior |
| Zoey Hopkins | Hempfield | Setter | Senior |
| Ashley Hosni | Hempfield | Hitter | Senior |
| Mackenzy Miller | Shaler | Setter | Senior |
| Olivia Pepple | Penn-Trafford | Hitter | Senior |
| Vanessa Perez | Fox Chapel | Hitter | Junior |
| Hilary Quinn | Shaler | Hitter | Senior |
| Elle Visco | Penn-Trafford | Hitter | Senior |
| COACH OF THE YEAR | |||
| Jim Schall | Penn-Trafford | ||
| SECOND TEAM | |||
| NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | GRADE |
| Sarah Podkul | Hempfield | Libero | Senior |
| Kylie Anthony | Penn-Trafford | Hitter | Junior |
| Emma DiRocco | Fox Chapel | Hitter | Sophomore |
| Claire Fezcko | Fox Chapel | Hitter | Junior |
| Bella Hoffman | Shaler | Setter | Sophomore |
| Lauren Howard | Hempfield | Hitter | Sophomore |
| Georgia Kendall | Penn-Trafford | Hitter | Senior |
| Addison Matovich | Norwin | Hitter | Junior |
| Lauren Palangio | Norwin | Hitter | Senior |
| Teagan Orga | Shaler | Libero | Freshman |
| Mia Shipman | Hempfield | Hitter | Junior |
| HONORABLE MENTION | |||
| NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | GRADE |
| Ella Berkebile | Hempfield | Hitter | Sophomore |
| Aubrey Blank | Shaler | Hitter | Freshman |
| Kaci DePalma | Penn-Trafford | Hitter | Junior |
| Scarlett Hancock | Fox Chapel | Libero | Senior |
| Presley Horchak | Hempfield | Setter | Sophomore |
| Claire Mitchell | Hempfield | Hitter | Junior |
| Courtney O’Brien | Shaler | Blocker | Junior |
| Kamryn Pieper | Penn-Trafford | Hitter | Junior |
| Ella Spena | Penn-Trafford | Setter | Senior |
| Maddie Wilson | Shaler | Hitter | Sophomore |
By: Don Rebel
A year ago, Pine-Richland shocked the district girls volleyball world by defeating top seed and two-time defending champion North Allegheny in the WPIAL 4A finals, 3-2.
Now the two Section 1 rivals meet for a third time this season with a berth in the 2023 title match at stake.
NA won both matches during the regular season, 3-1 at home in September and 3-0 at Pine-Richland in October.
Last year’s district championship was the fourth for the Rams and first since 2010.
The Tigers have won four of the last six WPIAL Class 4A girls volleyball crowns.
The match is at Fox Chapel at 7:30 p.m.
In the other 4A final four match, No. 2 Seneca Valley will face the only non-Section 1 team remaining in the 4A field, No. 3 Canon-McMillan.
Seneca Valley and Canon-McMillan are the only two programs besides North Allegheny and Pine-Richland to win WPIAL Class 4A championships.
The Big Macs won in 2019 and the Raiders captured the first 4A title in 2016.
This match is set for Fox Chapel at 6 p.m.
Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
WPIAL SEMIFINALS
#3 Canon-McMillan (14-3) vs. #2 Seneca Valley (12-3) at FOX CHAPEL – 6 PM
#3 CANON-McMILLAN
QUARTERFINALS: def. #6 Penn-Trafford 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23)
Natalie Carr had 22 kills and 13 digs, Abby Tucker had 13 kills and Josie Carter had 17 assists with 16 digs.
#2 SENECA VALLEY
QUARTERFINALS: def. #7 Peters Township 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 25-21)
WHAT’S AT STAKE:
Canon-McMillan – looking to get to the WPIAL Championship for the first time since 2019
Seneca Valley – looking to get to the WPIAL Championship for the first time since 2016
#4 Pine-Richland (13-5) vs. #1 North Allegheny (14-1) at FOX CHAPEL – 7:30 PM
#4 PINE-RICHLAND
FIRST ROUND: def. #13 Mt. Lebanon 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-21)
QUARTERFINALS: def. #5 Upper St. Clair 3-1 (25-19, 25-18, 17-25, 25-22)
#1 NORTH ALLEGHENY
QUARTERFINALS: def. #9 Hempfield 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-17)
REGULAR SEASON MATCHUPS:
North Allegheny def. Pine-Richland 3-1 on Sept. 12 at North Allegheny
North Allegheny def. Pine-Richland 3-0 on Oct. 19 at Pine-Richland
PREVIOUS POSTSEASON MATCHUPS:
Pine-Richland def. North Allegheny 3-2 in the 2022 WPIAL Championship
North Allegheny def. Pine-Richland 3-1 in the 2022 PIAA State Semifinals
WHAT’S AT STAKE:
Pine-Richland – looking to get to the WPIAL Championship for the 2nd straight year and defend their title
North Allegheny – looking to get to the WPIAL Championship for the 7th straight year
Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
WPIAL QUARTERFINALS
#3 Canon-McMillan 3, #6 Penn-Trafford 1
Canon-McMillan – 25 23 25 25 – 3
Penn-Trafford – 23 25 16 23 – 1
Canon-McMillan (14-3)
Natalie Carr – 22 kills, 13 digs
Abby Tucker – 13 kills
Josie Carter – 17 assists, 16 digs
Advances to the WPIAL Semifinals where they will meet #2 Seneca Valley.
#1 North Allegheny 3, #9 Hempfield 0
North Allegheny – 25 25 25 – 3
Hempfield – 13 19 17 – 0
North Allegheny moves on to the WPIAL Semifinals where they will meet #4 Pine-Richland. This is a rematch of last season’s WPIAL Championship and PIAA Semifinal.
#4 Pine-Richland 3, #5 Upper St. Clair 1
Pine-Richland – 25 25 17 25 – 3
Upper St. Clair – 19 18 25 22 – 1
Pine-Richland advances to take on #1 North Allegheny in the WPIAL Semifinals. This is a rematch of the WPIAL Championship and PIAA Semifinals last season.
#2 Seneca Valley 3, #7 Peters Township 1
Seneca Valley – 25 19 25 25 – 3
Peters Township – 17 25 23 21 – 1
Seneca Valley moves to the WPIAL Semifinals where they will duel with #3 Canon-McMillan.
Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network
#9 HEMPFIELD (9-7) at #1 NORTH ALLEGHENY (13-1) – 7 PM
#9 HEMPFIELD
FIRST ROUND: Hempfield def. #8 North Hills, 23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-20 in the WPIAL First Round
#1 NORTH ALLEGHENY
STANDINGS: Section 1-4A Champions
STREAK: W3 (last loss came on Oct. 14 against Landisville Hempfield)
LAST SEASON: beat Bethel Park 3-0 in the WPIAL Quarterfinals, beat Penn-Trafford 3-0 in the WPIAL Semifinals, lost to Pine-Richland 3-2 in the WPIAL Championship
WHAT’S AT STAKE:
Hempfield – looking to get to the WPIAL Semifinals for the first time since 2017
North Allegheny – looking to get to the WPIAL Semifinals for the 7th straight season
#5 UPPER ST. CLAIR (13-2) at #4 PINE-RICHLAND (12-5) – 7 PM
#5 UPPER ST. CLAIR
FIRST ROUND: Upper St. Clair def. #12 Fox Chapel, 25-21, 25-11, 25-14
#4 PINE-RICHLAND
FIRST ROUND: Pine-Richland def. #13 Mt. Lebanon, 25-15, 25-20, 25-21
WHAT’S AT STAKE:
Upper St. Clair – 0-2 in WPIAL Quarterfinal games since 2016
Pine-Richland – the defending champs are looking to get to the WPIAL Semifinals for the 2nd straight season
#7 PETERS TOWNSHIP (11-6) at #2 SENECA VALLEY (11-3) – 7 PM
#7 PETERS TOWNSHIP
FIRST ROUND: Peters Township def. #10 Shaler, 21-25, 25-18, 25-15, 14-25, 15-9
#2 SENECA VALLEY
STANDINGS: 2nd place finisher out of Section 1-4A
STREAK: L1 (last win came on Oct. 12 against North Hills)
LAST SEASON: beat Baldwin 3-0 in WPIAL First Round, beat Peters Township 3-1 in WPIAL Quarterfinals, lost to Pine-Richland 3-0 in the WPIAL Semifinals
WHAT’S AT STAKE:
Peters Township – 0-2 in WPIAL Quarterfinal games since 2016
Seneca Valley – looking to get to the WPIAL Semifinals for the 2nd straight season
#6 PENN-TRAFFORD (12-3) at #3 CANON-McMILLAN (13-3) – 7 PM
#6 PENN-TRAFFORD
FIRST ROUND: Penn-Trafford def. #11 Bethel Park, 25-17, 25-15, 23-25, 25-18
#3 CANON-McMILLAN
STANDINGS: Section 2-4A Champions
STREAK: W1 (last loss came on Oct. 17 against Upper St. Clair)
LAST SEASON: beat North Hills 3-0 in WPIAL First Round, fell to Penn-Trafford 3-2 in WPIAL Quarterfinals
WHAT’S AT STAKE:
Penn-Trafford – looking to get to the WPIAL Semifinals for the 2nd straight season
Canon-McMillan – looking to get to the WPIAL Semifinals for the first time since 2019