By: Greg Macafee 
Sunday, November 8, 2020 | 11:01 AM

This season didn’t end how the Quaker Valley girls volleyball team wanted, but the Quakers put together a season that had them on the verge of a playoff berth.

They finished with a 5-7 record and a Section 2-AA record of 5-5, which was fourth behind Seton LaSalle, Avonworth and North Catholic. North Catholic and Avonworth played in the WPIAL Class AA semifinals Nov. 4.

“We had a senior-laden team that had been there before, and we were in some close games and they were ready for the postseason,” Quaker Valley coach Mike Vavrek said. “It was a very wide-open field in double-A for the most part, outside of a few teams, and we certainly liked our chances if we were able to participate.”

But because of a coronavirus exposure at Quaker Valley, the Quakers missed out on the playoffs after having to quarantine. Carlynton took their playoff spot and earned the 19th seed. The Cougars beat No. 14 Chartiers-Houston, 3-1, but lost to No. 3 South Park in the second round.

“It was definitely a sad way to end the season for the seniors, as well as the whole team,” Vavrek said. “But these seniors really put a lot of work and time into the program. So for that to happen, it’s unfortunate timing.”

The Quakers beat Keystone Oaks twice, Brentwood twice and Carlynton once. They had their final two games of the season, against Carlynton and Avonworth canceled.

With five seniors in an eight-player rotation, the Quakers had a veteran squad. and Vavrek said they might lack varsity experience next year but they will have players to build around.

Three seniors — libero Kayla Doherty, outside hitter Madeline Hess and middle hitter Camille Johnson — were named to postseason all-section teams.

Doherty, who was named a Coaches Association Player of the Week on Sept. 28 and earned all-section first-team honors last year when Quaker Valley was in Class AAA, was named to the Section 2-AA first-team.

Vavrek said Doherty has the most career digs since he took over the program 10 years ago. Hess, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter, earned second-team honors after a solid senior season. Johnson, a 5-foot-11 middle hitter, earned third-team honors for the Quakers.

“Since they were sophomores, they all started. So they’ve seen some big games, and the last two years, we were in triple-A, so they’ve played some tough competition,” Vavrek said. “We were ready for it this year. We started slow but by the time the playoffs hit the five seniors would’ve led us.

Greg Macafee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Greg by email at gmacafee@triblive.com or via Twitter .

Beaver County Times

Our Senior Spotlight series generated such a positive response in the spring that we've brought it back in a new form for the fall. In today's spotlight is Kayla Doherty from Quaker Valley. If you'd like a turn under the spotlight, fill out the form on timesonline.com.

KAYLA DOHERTY

Quaker Valley volleyball

For each sport listed above, how many years did you play?

4

Why do you play sports?

I love the competitive nature of playing sports and being able to give it my all! 

What's the best advice a coach, parent or teammate ever gave you?

"Nothing is going to be given to you, you have to earn it." - Coach Mike Vavrek, Quaker Valley volleyball

Describe your most memorable moment during a game and what made it special.

Playing with my club volleyball team, Pitt United, and winning a game 25-0! Making varsity all 4 years. Being selected sophomore year to the All-Section Volleyball second team and being selected junior year to the All-Section Volleyball first team. 

Who do you admire most and why?

Coach Vavrek - has taught me everything I know and has never made it easy for me to make me a better player! 

How has COVID-19 affected you and your senior season?

Unfortunately, have not received as much response as I would have hoped from college coaches. 

What are your plans after graduation? (If college is part of your future, please include the name(s) and intended major if known.

Undecided

Will sports continue to be a part of your life after graduation? If yes, how so?

Hoping so! 

What gets you fired up before a game/match? A song? Team bonding? Coach's words of wisdom?

Music 

What is your advice to younger athletes?

It goes by quick, so enjoy every second and make it count by giving it your all! 

What is your least favorite part about practice?

Conditioning.....

Gatorade: Love it or hate it? Which flavor?

Love it - Lemon Lime

By: Michael Love
Monday, September 28, 2020 | 12:38 PM

With two weeks of section and nonsection matches in the books, WPIAL girls volleyball teams in all four classifications prepare to turn their attention to the stretch run in October that leads to the scheduled start of the WPIAL playoffs the week of Oct. 26.

The Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association released its latest top-10 rankings and players of the week Monday morning.

There is a change at the top of the Class AAAA rankings, as Moon, undefeated in Section 2 with a 5-0 record, has moved into the top spot.

North Allegheny, which has not played yet this season because of covid-related issues, dips to No. 2. The Tigers are scheduled to open play Tuesday at No. 8 Pine-Richland (3-1 in Section 1).

Bethel Park, 3-1 and in second behind Moon in Section 2, is No. 3; and Shaler, at the top of Section 1 at 4-0, is fourth

The leaders in the other three classes — Franklin Regional (6-0) in Class AAA, North Catholic (4-0) in Class AA and Bishop Canevin (4-0) in Class A – all remain at No. 1.

Franklin Regional hosts No. 7 Plum (5-0) on Tuesday in a Section 1 clash.

North Catholic and No. 3 Avonworth (4-0) are tied for first in Section 2-AA and will meet Tuesday at Avonworth.

Fort Cherry (3-0 in Section 2) and Greensburg Central Catholic (5-0 in Section 4) are No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the Class A standings.

The team rankings are based on votes of the 117 WPIAL head coaches. The players of the week selections are based on submitted coaches nominations.

Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association

WPIAL rankings

For games through Sept. 26

Class AA

1. North Catholic

2. Serra Catholic

3. Avonworth

4. Ellwood City

5. South Park

6. Shenango

7. Carmichaels

8. Frazier

9. Derry

10. Neshannock

Other teams receiving votes:

Waynesburg, South Allegheny, Seton LaSalle, Deer Lakes, Carlynton

Class AA Players of the Week:

Alexa Vitale, senior, libero, Neshannock

Kailey Johnson, senior, opposite, Ligonier Valley

Kayla Doherty, senior, libero, Quaker Valley

Emma Hyatt, senior, middle blocker, Carmichaels

Geena DeMario, senior, outside hitter, Burgettstown

Cameron Simurda, senior, outside hitter, Deer Lakes

Faith Fetsko, junior, outside hitter, South Park