Hempfield volleyball team ready for playoff tilt

Monday, October 21, 2024 | 10:05 PM

Hempfield girls volleyball coach Ashten Flynn could not be prouder of squad this season considering the injuries and the illnesses it endured.

The Spartans (10-5, 8-2) finished second in Section 3-4A, a game behind Penn-Trafford (10-6, 9-1). The teams split their matches this season.

Hempfield travels to Pine-Richland at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for the opening round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs. Flynn is in her fourth season as coach, and the Spartans have been to the playoffs every year.

The Spartans have reached the quarterfinals once under Flynn. She would like to see that change this season.

“We had to overcome a lot of unforeseen things that were out of our control,” Flynn said. “It has been a challenge. When we lost to Latrobe, we were missing three starters. The good thing was we built some depth that will help us down the road.”

Flynn said the loss to Latrobe hurt, but it did not stop them from making the playoffs. It just prevented them from winning the section.

“The matches against Penn-Trafford were good battles,” Flynn said. “We won in five games the first time, and they won in four in the second meeting.”

Juniors Preslee Horchak (setter), Jillian Sowers (libero), Claire Mitchell (right side hitter) and Gabby Cottia (middle hitter) have played well.

“They’ve held their own,” Flynn said. “This group have been super competitive.”

Flynn said she feels the teams in Westmoreland County get slighted by the WPIAL.

“Penn-Trafford is seeded eight,” Flynn said. “We’re 10, and Latrobe is 12.

“The teams in our section are very competitive. It’s been a lot of fun, and I feel the girls are looking forward to playoffs.”

North Allegheny is seeded No. 1, Canon-McMillan is No. 2, North Catholic No. and Upper St. Clair No. 4.

Penn-Trafford hosts Armstrong at 7 p.m. Tuesday, and Latrobe is at Shaler at 7 p.m.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at [email protected].

Tags: Hempfield