The Upper Saint Clair Girls Varsity Volleyball team will begin its playoff season with high hopes and a determined mindset. Alex Hinsey, the team’s coach, is interested in “finishing [the year off] strong and taking each night for what it is […]” He says, “There won’t be an easy night during the WPIAL playoffs.”

The team will face their first opponent with excitement and great gusto. Their first challengers are the North Allegheny Tigers, who have been beaten twice already by the St. Clair Panthers.

The Lady Panthers had a fantastic record in the regular season of 11 wins, no losses, and no ties. They swept the section with recognition from the state for several strong players namely, Samantha Amos, Annie Cavrich, and Leah Kern. The girls had a great season and are looking to have an even better playoff season. All heads are turned to see what the new coach Alex Hinsey will do with the talent that he has in this team during playoffs.

This has been the first season with Alex Hinsey as head coach with the Girls Volleyball team here at Upper St. Clair. The expectations are always high, as they are in all USCHS athletic programs, but the rookie lived up to the high standard, helping the girls not only win the section in the short-run but helping with technique and dynamics for the long-run betterment of the team.

No one on the team will take playoffs lightly, but a common theme throughout the year has been playing down to opponents when the USC team has obviously been better.

Carson Mafrice, a senior setter, says, “When we get frustrated, we can’t play down to their level.”

Outside hitter Sami Amos likes to look at the positives going into WPIALs. “We look like we’re a unit and we all fit together on the court.”

This aspect of the game is extremely important. The team will face North Allegheny in the first round at St. Clair with a home court advantage.