Fayette volleyball set to make a national run in 2019
A year ago, the Penn State Fayette volleyball team had a season for the ages as it finished third at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championships and won the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) title.
The team returns all but two of its core players from last year's rotation, and head coach Sam Swetz is not hesitating in setting the proverbial bar on the highest notch possible in terms of the end goal.
"Our goal is to win the USCAA national championship, without a doubt," she said emphatically. "We will have a chance if we work together and put the needs of the team before individual needs.
"The big picture this year requires a team atmosphere at all times."
Despite returning a plethora of talent, Swetz knows that the team will have to work hard.
"For us to have the type of successful season that we want, we have to play at our very best and give 100% every game," she said. "If we do that, I truly believe our success will end with a PSUAC conference championship and a USCAA national championship."
Senior Siteri Tale is the most decorated player on the team as she cleaned house with individual awards last year.
She was the PSUAC Player of the Year, first team PSUAC, the USCAA Player of the Year, a USCAA All-American and also made the USCAA National All-Tournament team.
Last season, Tale had 387 kills and 320 digs. For her career, Tale has 1,025 kills and 518 digs.
"Siteri is an amazing leader for our team and has a huge heart," Swetz said. "No matter what individual accolades Siteri wins, she has always put the team first."
Sophomore Jadyn Barnish (Carmichaels, Carmichaels HS) also earned USCAA All-American honors as she was second team while also being named the PSUAC Newcomer of the Year and the PSUAC Setter of the Year.
Barnish had 810 assists last season and averaged 7.86 per set.
Also returning after earning national recognition last season is junior Morgan Pytlak (Rillton, PA/Yough HS) was named a USCAA Academic All-American last year.
Another plus for this year's team is the team has brought in a big recruiting class, and this is the first year where every player on the team was recruited by Swetz and her staff.
"We have amazing freshmen this year, and with our standout talent already here, we have 20 players which is the most Fayette has ever had on the volleyball team," she said. "My first year here, we had nine players and have more than doubled our roster since.
"This is my first season as a coach with seniors because our team has always been so young."
Fayette will face a familiar rival when it opens the season on Friday, August 30.
It plays University of Cincinnati Claremont, the same team Fayette downed to clinch third place at the USCAA national championships.
"Our first match of the season is the team we finished our season with last year," Swetz said. "That makes for an interesting matchup heading into the season."
The possibilities are endless for Fayette, and Swetz reiterated what the team has to do to makes its dreams come true.
"We have to put the team first and play Fayette volleyball."
For more information on the volleyball team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/wvball/index.