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Local volleyball teams rounding into form heading into the playoffs

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With two weeks left in the high school volleyball regular season, several local teams have either clinched a playoff spot, are positioning themselves in the section standings or doing both this fall.

Waynesburg is rounding into form and is currently in second place in Section 3-AA behind Frazier.

The Raiders, who won the section title the last two seasons, have already clinched a playoff spot, but are looking to play with more consistency down the stretch.

“For the most part this season, we have all stuck together and played as one team,” Waynesburg coach Dan Higginbotham said. “We run about eight deep on the varsity level and I really like our cohesiveness on the floor. We just need to continue to play together.”

Before their non-section match with West Greene last night, Waynesburg carried a 9-3 overall record and is 7-2 in section play.

“Our passing and setting has really been our main strengths this season,” Higginbotham said. “(Junior setter) Abby Fisher has really put our offense into some solid situations and she has a very high volleyball IQ out there. Every set, she gives 110 percent and her teammates feed off that.”

Other key pieces to the Waynesburg attack this fall are senior Emerson Foringer, junior Bailey Pauley, junior Peyton Foringer and sophomore Emma Robinson.

The Raiders are currently tied with Southmoreland for second place in the section, while Beth-Center (4-5) is in strong position to grab the fourth and final playoff spot against the likes of Brownsville (2-5) and McGuffey (1-7).

In Section 2-AAAA, Canon-McMillan is currently in fourth place with a 6-4 section mark behind Baldwin (10-0), Oakland Catholic (7-3) and Bethel Park (7-3).

The Big Macs, who picked up key non-section wins over Connellsville and Chartiers Valley this fall, are at Baldwin today and at Oakland Catholic Thursday.

Peters Township (4-6) is out of the playoff picture as of right now and will have to rally off a couple of key, section wins over the next two weeks. The Indians visits Mt. Lebanon today and then hosts Upper St. Clair on Thursday.

South Fayette is currently tied with Chartiers Valley for first in Section 2-AAA with a 9-1 section record. Their only section loss came on Sept. 25 against Char Valley. These two teams will meet again in the regular season finale on Oct. 18.

The Lions last section title was in 2012.

In Section 2-A, Carmichaels is currently atop the section with a perfect 10-0 mark with four section matches left. One of those section games will be at Geibel Thursday.

If the Mikes beat Geibel, then they would have a good chance to win the section outright.

It would be the school’s first section crown in volleyball. Carmichaels defeated Geibel at home on Sept. 20, 3-2.

Jefferson-Morgan (7-3) has an inside track of clinching a postseason spot after only collecting two wins last season. The Rockets hosts Geibel today then visit Carmichaels on Thursday.

Avella (5-5) and Mapletown (5-5) are currently tied for fourth in the section. The Maples, who are in search of the school’s first playoff berth in volleyball, defeated Avella, 3-0, Sept. 18.

In Section 3-A, Fort Cherry (6-2) has clinched a postseason berth and is currently behind Bishop Canevin (8-0) and Brentwood (8-1).

“I really like the growth and maturity of this team from last year,” Fort Cherry coach Kelly Lacek said. “We have grown a lot since that playoff loss to Frazier last year. We are in a tough section and I honestly believe you can make the case that the top three teams in the WPIAL are in our section.”

The Rangers welcome Brentwood today then host Bishop Canevin on Oct. 16 in another critical, section match.

Fort Cherry is led by senior Abigal Cooper, juniors Jadyn Hartner, junior Allie McKean and junior Elizabeth Staley.

“Jadyn came in to play at the varsity level her freshman year and has really accepted all the roles a setter has to have for a team,” Lacek said. “Both her and Abbie (Cooper) have plenty of experience at the varsity level. I really like the leadership on this team.”

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