Panther Valley heads into 2020 seeking a fifth-straight District 11 title and even more postseason glory.

JIM THORPE

STRONG CORE … The Olympians have a host of talent players returning who gained varsity experience last season.

The group is led by big time contributors from last season in Brandy Montemuro (OH/S), Autumn Snyder (MB) and Abbey McGinley (L). In addition, Andi Hoherchak (OH/S), Kristin Pompa (MB), Olivia Wolfe (RS), Alexandra Ramey (RS) and Carsen Rosenberger (DS) will also play key roles.

FIRST YEAR… First-year head coach Will Ramey will take over at Jim Thorpe this season. “We are looking forward to a new year, and we’ve been continuously focused on learning to work together,” said Ramey. “We certainly have an optimistic outlook on the season and we’re excited for the opportunity to compete.”

POSTSEASON HOPES … Thorpe has turned into a perennial playoff program, reaching districts in consecutive seasons. The Olympians are coming off a strong season in 2019 that saw them reach the semis of the District 11 2A playoffs.

LEHIGHTON

SENIOR LEADERSHIP … Alexis Soloman (MH), Sophia Salerno (OH/DS) and Abigail Buffington (DS/L/S) will form the leadership core for the Indians. “We have a good senior group and that’s exactly what you need in tough times like these,” said first-year Lehighton head coach Jason Green

AT THE HELM … Green takes over for Lehighton this season after a stint as head coach of Mahanoy Area. “I’m excited, we’re putting in a whole new system - a new offense and defense,” said Green.”We’re going to look to be fast tempo and attack on the offensive end. We really want to speed things up.”

HELPING OUT … Hailey Miller (OH/RH), Meghan Aaron (OH/DS), Madilynn Stoffey (MH/OH), Madelyn Sofranko (S/OH) and Haley Ginder (OH) are expected to see significant time for the Indians.

MARIAN

WINNING WAYS … Marian has won six out of the last eight District 11 1A titles, including a stretch that saw them win six consecutive championships. The Fillies lost a tough match to an 18-0 Nativity squad in the district semis last season. “We have a very strong team this year with 11 upperclassmen,” said Marian head coach John “Doc” Fallabel. “I think we have a shot at having a really good year. We’ll find that out in the first week of October when we face off with Nativity.”

ALL STATE RETURNER … The Fillies will be led by two-time All-State selection Alivia Karchner. Karchner recorded 271 kills and 813 attacks to go along with 30 aces and 50 digs last season. Karchner has 428 kills over the past two seasons.

MAKING AN IMPACT … Jamison Wheeler (OH), Tatiana Zeleniak (L), Ashlyn Klitsch (S) and Rebecca Dzuranin (OH/MH) are all expected to make a big impact for the Fillies.

NORTHWESTERN

DYNAMIC DUO … Brynn Buscheta (S/RH) and Ella Carson (DS/OH) will lead the Tigers this season. Buscheta came through with 150 digs, 46 aces and 48 kills last season. Carson was injured during the first half of the season, but still made an impact in her short time with 32 digs, 10 aces and 33 kills.

SUPPORTING CAST … Sara Jenkins (MH), Rachel Anderson (DS), Jenna Breininger (RH) and Olivia Silfies (MH) are all expected to contribute.

COMMUNICATION … Tigers’ head coach Lexi Ashburne likes her team’s communication and dedication during the current difficult times. “Before everything was shut down, we were doing open gyms twice a week and then we transitioned to zoom workouts that all the girls were able to do virtually,” said Ashburne. “Even with all the restrictions, the girls have been great. This team really plays well together and they like to see their teammates play well. It’s incredible how much they’ve come together.”

PALMERTON

IN THE MIDDLE … The Bombers will be led in the middle by 6-2 senior Kayla Nothstein (MB), the program’s all-time leader in blocks and kills. She will be joined by freshman Danielle Mertz (MB), who will bring even more explosion and athleticism to the middle of the Bombers’ defense.

MAKING A CHANGE … Cayci Reichard will yet again be an important part of the Bombers this season, switching from outside hitter to setter. Palmerton will be running a 5-1 set this season.

GETTING STRONGER … Palmerton, in just its fourth year as a volleyball program, is starting to gain some traction and more importantly interest. “We’re starting to really gain some interest from youth players and we had good participation at open gyms from 5th grade to 8th grade this offseason,” said Palmerton head coach Marsha Thomas. “Overall, the program is just getting better and the more interest we gain the better we’re going to get.”

PANTHER VALLEY

DRIVE FOR FIVE … The Panthers are looking to capture their fifth straight District 11 2A championship. PV has made it to the quarterfinals of the PIAA tournament the last two seasons as well. “Our first goal, as always, is to win our division and get to the Schuylkill League playoffs and championship game. Then of course we want to go as far as we can from there,” said Panthers’ head coach Emilie Baker. “We’ve made it to the quarterfinals in states the past two seasons, so we’re definitely trying to get past that hump.”

DUBOSKY RETURNS… Senior Erika Dubosky, an All-State selection from a season ago, returns to lead the Panthers. Duboksy tallied 129 aces, 256 kills, 61 blocks, 20 assists and 193 digs last season.

IMPACT RETURNEES … Natalie White (MH) Madison Heckman (S) and Alexis Cooper (L) all return for the Panthers and are expected to make an impact. “We have a core group that are all strong leaders and that will definitely help us with some of our more inexperienced players, who are going to see some significant time,” said Baker.

PLEASANT VALLEY

GOING FOR 12 … The Bears have won the last six Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Mountain Division championships and prior to the merger, they won five consecutive Mountain Valley Conference titles.

CONTRIBUTORS … Pleasant Valley has a number of players returning that are expected to contribute. Andrea Crilley (OH/S), Sophie Touer (OH), Jaclyn James (OH), Lexi Burgos (MH), Kristen Ferris (L), Kaitlyn Bolando (RH), Sarah Ballek (MH) Emma Bergstresser and Meriam Madsen all are in the mix for playing time. “The comradery with this group has been great to watch. They all like to encourage each other,” said Bears’ head coach John Gesiskie. “I think we can be a solid defensive team, especially in the blocking department and this is one of the deeper teams we’ve had. I have 12 solid players that will see time.”

MILESTONE … Gesiskie is just three wins away from 500 career victories.

TAMAQUA

DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS … Tamaqua will rely on Ember Starr and Amanda Wunderlich to lead the defense this season.

OFFENSIVE OUTPUT … Madison Baddick and Ashlyn Houser will serve as the offensive catalysts for Tamaqua. Erika Gerhard will be stepping in at setter after the loss of Brynn Gigli from a season ago.

OTHERS TO WATCH … Eileen Lusch and Jocelyn Clause will contribute as well as newcomers Sarag Coccio, Rylie Lusch and Kaylee Kuhn. “We’re looking forward to the season and we hope to continue to make strides and build the Tamaqua volleyball program.” said Raider head coach Jen Kromer.

WEATHERLY

SOLO SENIOR … Senior Captain Ashley James is an integral part of this season’s Wreckers’ squad. “We only have one senior, but she teaches and leads by example and is a great leader for us,” said Weatherly head coach Nicole Hinkle.

IMPACT PLAYERS … James, Gianna Lowman, Abby Paisley and Kelly Michaels are all expected to make a significant impact for Weatherly this season.

TRUST … Despite the obstacles to offseason workouts that all teams had to deal with because of the pandemic, Hinkle likes what she has seen from her team. “We have a young team, so there is definitely going to be a learning curve that is going to take place,” she said. “But we have no bad attitudes and everyone has been trusting and supportive of one another. The girls are really giving it their all.”