Fayette Volleyball, Season in-review and future prospect
Lemont Furnace, PA - When the 2021 Penn State Fayette Volleyball team's season ended with a loss in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) quarterfinals, it ended an abnormal season for the team.
For a program used to competing for the PSUAC crown and a United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championship, going home early was a foreign feeling for head coach Sam Swetz, assistant coach Janelle Cooper and the players as it is the first year in program history that it did not at least make the PSUAC tournament finals as the team had won 12 of the last 15 conference titles. The Nittany Lions finished this season with a 12-9 record.
The season concluded a run that saw the 2018 team finish third at the USCAA National Championships, saw it win the 2019 USCAA National Championship and was thought to have an even better team for 2020 until the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We had a great season despite our record," said Swetz. "It was hard coming into a season with no prior knowledge of any team because everyone's team has changed so much over the last two years. What's very interesting is that the team I had for the season that didn't happen (2020) is very different then the team I had this season. I would have had six more players if the athletes that left would've stayed. Between transfers due to majors and losing students due to hardship with COVID, I actually do not have any sophomores on my team, which were my incoming (freshmen) last season. That team will always bother me because I'll never know what could've been. This year's team had a hard situation. The seniors only ever experienced one season with true seniors (Kiki Martin and Siteri Tale) because their freshmen year, we did not have seniors. So, it was hard for them to figure out how to be a senior when they hadn't witnessed much of them. My juniors have only ever experienced one season since they have been here, which is crazy to think about."
Swetz and Cooper will lose four players: Carissa Cyphert (Scottdale, PA/Southmoreland HS), Jadyn Barnish (Carmichaels, PA/Carmichaels HS), Savannah Baker (Uniontown, PA/Uniontown HS) and Kristina Aeschbacher (Carmichaels, PA/Carmichaels HS), who transferred in for one season.
"I feel bad Kristina transferred in last year and only had one season with us," Swetz said. "I would've loved to have actually had the chance to coach her for two solid years."
Swetz said there is a solid nucleus coming back, including Noelle Hunter (Fredricktown, PA/Beth-Center HS), Kamden Miller (Midland, PA/Lincoln Park HS), Angel Buwawa (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands HS), Meghan Goodnight (Wheeling, WV/The Lindsay School) and Alie McGee (Carmichaels, PA/Carmichaels HS).
"We have solid returners coming back, Noelle being one of them, and she was in the top five in the nation for hitting percentage and top ten for blocking as opposite hitter," said Swetz. "It was actually a new position for her, and she did extremely well at it this season. Kamden is another one to look out for next season. She is such a solid player. She is the type of player that you hope every ball goes to. (Angel) will be a senior next year and I can't believe it. She has defensively really showed up for us this season. Meghan was a 'senior' this season but has to come back next year and still has eligibility, so her last season will be 2022. Meghan has turned into quite the defensive specialist this season and I am glad I get another year with her. Look for Alie to really make an impact next season as a setter, and she is such a born leader."
Swetz and Cooper are already on the recruiting trail for next season.
"Recruiting is going extremely well," Swetz said. "We already have two commits, one of which is experienced and had a widely successful season at Albert Gallatin in Emma Eckert. Emma is a setter, and she is exactly what we need, we are so excited to have such a strong commit. Her spirit and vocals are going to be huge for us next season."
But before preparing for next season, Swetz wanted to speak more about the 2021 team.
"Their friendship more than anything else, is what I will remember about this team," Swetz said. "They are truly friends on and off the court. To lose Thursday (October 28) in such an intense battle and then I look on social media and there is a group picture of them out together within 48 hours, that is so special."
Swetz, who may be the most competitive person on the Fayette campus, said she is already chomping at the bit for next season.
"I am absolutely hungry," she said. "The season ended Thursday and by Friday night, Janelle and I were looking through the All-Star County awards for who we're going to get a hold of next for recruiting. The long reign of Fayette Volleyball may be over this year, but next year we will work hard to begin a new era and come back stronger than ever."
Swetz concluded talking about her 2021 Volleyball family by mentioning her family at home.
"Shout out to my husband for dealing with me this season when I knew I could be a lot to handle," Swetz said while laughing. "It was hard between taking on a lot of responsibilities in the Athletic Department and trying to find the right motivational tools to get my team moving. He handles being my husband like a champ! Coaching is not an easy field, it's long hours and it takes a lot of dedication. I feel so blessed to not only have a husband that understands this but is at every game with both of our kids in hand being my biggest fan club!"
For more information on the volleyball team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/wvball/index.
Written by Bill Hughes