Yesterday, we looked at the upcoming District 9 volleyball playoffs, so today, we will look at the District 10 postseason.
With less than two weeks left in the regular season, a clear picture is starting to emerge among the teams that will have a shot at not only District 10 glory but possibly PIAA glory as well.
CLASS 1A
A PIAA title was something Maplewood captured a year ago in Class 1A, and the Tigers are definitely talented enough to make a run again this year.
But first, they must get out of Class 1A, which most likely means getting past arch-rival Cochranton.
The teams have met once already this year with Maplewood taking home a 3-2 win in Guys Mills, and they will meet again Oct. 17 in Cochranton with the No. 1 seed on the line.
Both teams are 12-2 on the season with Cochranton’s other loss coming to one-loss North East and Maplewood’s two losses coming to a pair of one-loss Class 3A teams – Meadville and Warren.
Cochranton is paced by Brooklyn Needler, Dani Hoffman, and Maggie Jackson, while Maplewood looks to Elizabeth Hunter, Madison O’Hara, and Maggie Means.
Cambridge Springs and West Middlesex will look to play the roles of spoiler in Class 1A with the Big Red, led by the multitalented Caitlin Stephens sitting at 12-5, and the Blue Devils, paced by Kenda Boozer and Audrey Bullcoks, sitting at 9-4. Lakeview, Commodore Perry, Eisenhower, and Iroquois could also all be in the running for playoff spots.
CLASS 2A
This is easily the deepest and most talented field in District 10 with 13 teams sitting at .500 or better including five teams with two or fewer losses.
That includes unbeaten Corry, one-loss Slippery Rock, North East, and Saegertown, and two-loss Fort LeBoeuf.
Corry (11-0) or North East (12-1) is probably the favorite here with the teams scheduled to meet Oct. 17 in North East. But don’t count out Saegertown and Fort LeBoeuf in this grouping.
Saegertown (11-1) dropped a 3-1 decision to Fort LeBouef (10-2) Sept. 12 with three of the four sets decided by three points or fewer and the fourth decided by five points. The Bison have lost to North East and Mercyhurst Prep (9-6), which is another legit contender in the 2A field.
Corry is a strong defensive team led by Libero Makenna Morre while Halle Alberts leads the Beavers up front.
North East has one of the top hitters in District 10 in Cadence Jones, and setter Grace Sanfilippo just recorded her 2,000th career set assist while breaking the Grape Picker record for career aces.
Saegertown has a strong setter as well in Lindsey Greco, the daughter of head coach Justyn Greco, while Brywn McLaughlin and Maggie Triola lead the Panthers’ offense. ‘
Fort LeBoeuf is also strong up front with Kayleigh Anderson and Katelyn Olmstead.
Slippery Rock could be a sleeper in this group behind setter Anore Robare and hitters Avalee Demidovich and Molly Bissell. The Rockets’ lone loss came to Saegertown last week.
Franklin (11-4), Sharon (10-4), and Union City (9-4) are also having very solid seasons and aren’t teams anyone wants to see in the opening round.
CLASS 3A
Class 3A looks to be a three-team race between four-time defending champion Conneaut (7-3), Meadville (10-1), and Warren (10-1).
Meadville’s lone loss came to Cochranton, while Warren dropped a decision to Corry. Conneaut has lost to Corry, Meadville, and Warren.
Meadville is paced by Marquette recruit Emma Parks in the middle along with a 2,000-career set setter Elliott Schleicher.
Warren’s best player just may be Libero Summer Lucks, who is on the shortlist for top Libero’s in D10, while Kylie Fehlman gives the Dragons a strong presence in the middle.
Conneaut has the Karastury girls – Payten and Paris – along with Laine Harrington leading the way.
CLASS 4A
McDowell is the lone team in the two-team Class 4A worth mentioning at 8-7. Erie is 1-15. The Trojans are led by Chase Rech, Ana Fetzner, and Halle Guentner.
