GCC girls volleyball wins state gold

The Greensburg Central Catholic girls volleyball team rallied to capture the PIAA Class 1A Championship on Saturday, as the Centurions edged Linville Hill Christian School 3-2 at Cumberland Valley High School. GCC prevailed 22-25, 25-6, 19-25, 25-10, and 15-5. As a result, the Centurions claimed their third state crown, previously winning in 2014 and 16. Greensburg Central Catholic (21-3) led for the majority of the first set, but the Warriors pulled even at 21-21 and finished with a 4-1 surge. GCC used a 15-1 run in the second set to even the match. Linville Hill (22-3) answered in the third frame, however, leading for the majority of the stanza in claiming the set. The Centurions were dominant once again in the fourth and final sets, though, to capture the gold. Ashlyn Black paced the Centurions with 21 kills, while Eva Denis and Erin Grace each contributed a dozen kills. Black also posted five aces and 14 digs, while Grace amassed four blocks. Maura Oslosky orchestrated the GCC offense with 45 assists, and she also notched 20 digs.

Jayhawks football ousted in semis

Jeannette football’s Cinderella run through the WPIAL playoffs ended on Friday, as the No. 13 Jayhawks fell to top-seeded Fort Cherry 49-14 in the Class 1A semifinals in Canonsburg. Jeannette could not contain Rangers QB Matt Sieg, who rushed for 232 yards and six touchdowns, passed for 92 yards, and also intercepted a pass defensively. In the loss, Jeannette QB Kymon’e Brown hit on 9-of-25 throws for 168 yards and two scores, while Jayce Powell caught seven passes for 143 yards and a touchdown, and Noah Sunder added a TD reception. While the Jayhawks end the campaign with a mark of 9-4, Fort Cherry advances to play No. 2 Clairton in the WPIAL title game next Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.

Greater Latrobe hockey hands PT first defeat

In a marquee matchup on the ice last Thursday, Greater Latrobe handed Penn-Trafford its first loss of the season. The host Wildcats bested the Warriors 3-1 at the Kirk Nevin Arena in Greensburg. Joey Crimboli netted a pair of goals for Greater Latrobe, putting the Wildcats on the board in the first period, and extending the advantage to 2-0 in the third frame. Roman Catello scored to pull the Warriors within a goal with less than 5:30 left in regulation, but Dylan Morris sealed the victory for GL with an empty netter. Morris also added an assist, matching Crimboli with a two-point effort, while Brock Pflugh earned the victory in net, making 18 saves while also registering an assist. Conversely, Tyler Funk took the loss between the pipes for PT, as he made 29 stops. As a result, the Warriors dipped to 6-1-0, and with 18 points, they are tied for the top spot in the PIHL Class AA with Cathedral Prep. The Wildcats, meanwhile, moved into third place with 12 points, courtesy of their 4-2-0 record.

Rosters set for WCCA volleyball all-star game

The third installment of the Westmoreland County Coaches Association (WCCA) All-Star Girls Volleyball match will take place this week, and the rosters have been finalized. The clash at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Ligonier Valley High School will pit the East against the West. The East will include Hempfield Area middle Mia Shipman and outside hitter Sadie Kuhns, Greater Latrobe outside hitter Chiara Mongelluzzo and setter MacKenzie Myers, Greensburg Salem opposite Blessing Gantt and libero Katie Shea, Derry Area libero Kayla Enos and outside hitter Alayna Williams, Southmoreland middle Taylor Doppelheuer and setter Riley Puckey, Ligonier Valley outside hitter Emily Rankin and defensive specialist Morgan Smith, and Greensburg Central Catholic middle Erin Grace and setter Maura Oslosky. The West will consist of Norwin middle/right side Brandi Brozeski and outside hitter Addison Matovich, Penn-Trafford outside hitters Kylie Anthony and Kaci DePalma, Franklin Regional setter/right side Carson Burgh and middle/right side Hadley Regelski, Kiski Area setter/libero Maddie Joyce and middle Jael Ledbetter, Belle Vernon Area middle Hailey Lazur and outside hitter Taylor McDaniel, Yough setter/outside hitter Addison Seanor and outside hitter Adoria Waldier, Valley setter/right side Nevaeh Lyle and middle Destiny Williams, and Burrell middle hitter Pyper Ferres.

Smetanka out as SVC football coach

After six seasons leading the Saint Vincent College football program, Aaron Smetanka is out as the Bearcats’ head coach. Last Wednesday, the school announced a search for its next head coach, signaling the end of Smetanka’s tenure. Furthermore, his offensive and defensive coordinators were not retained. During his time at SVC, Smetanka compiled a mark of 19-36, but went just 1-9 this past campaign, finishing on an eight-game skid. Smetanka, who was a standout quarterback as a player for the Bearcats, guided Greensburg Central Catholic prior to making the move to the college coaching ranks.