Riverview Boys Soccer in action. photo courtesy of Brian Davis and Riverview High School Yearbook

They're the rival. The challenger. The contestant you hope to defeat. The strong competitor for a championship or high honor. They are the ones who contend. The contenders strive and struggle against difficulties. The word "contend" itself comes from a Latin word meaning "to stretch." These are some of the AK soccer and volleyball teams who managed to stretch themselves into Fall playoff action and are expected to keep their season alive into the post-season. Keep an eye on them. You just might see them capture a championship one day, for they are…The Contenders.

The mighty Bucs of Burrell turned the boys' soccer program 180 degrees. First-year Coach Pete Kariotis and his squad put a 3-12 season last year behind them. The coach said "They turned it around, they decided to win." The Bucs built a hearty 15-3 record and captured a share of the section title. The Bucs beat Blackhawk in the first round of playoffs but fell in the second round to Montour.

Name and Position

Seniors: Ryan Welsh, Defense; Caleb Dunn, Forward; Nick Bortz, Forward; Josh DeCroo, Mid-Fielder; Poonpat Wattanavinit, Mid-Fielder; Josh Slomkowski, Forward; Ben Tutolo, Defense; Phil Wareham, Defense; Michael Fazzini, Forward; T. J. Trozzi, Mid-Fielder; Ben Wagner, Mid-Fielder; Robbie Woods, Goal Keeper; Juniors: Ben Shipman, Defense; Matt Oshesklo, Mid-Fielder; Brandon Rogozinski, Goal Keeper; Cameron Rotto, Mid-Fielder; Casey Cavanaugh, Defense; Kevin Jones, Defense; Alvin Simpson, Mid-Fielder; Justin Balmer, Defense; Josh Destefano, Defense; Bill Grubb, Defense; Chris Hohenberger, Defense; Sophomores: Phil Spagnolo, Mid-Fielder; Steve Pish, Mid-Fielder; Jim Mazary, Forward; Mark Yacko, Forward; Kyle Stine, Mid-Fielder; Brad Smith, Defense; Tyler Condron, Mid-Fielder; Kevin Boarts, Defense; Cody Orr, Defense; Freshmen: Chris Tutolo, Defense; Tim O'Donnell, Forward; Andrew Snyder, Goal Keeper; Zachary Kurtik, Defense;

Meanwhile the Lady Bucs pulled off an incredible turnaround as well. After suffering the bad taste of a 6-10 season last year, Coach Mike Spagnola and the Burrell girls' soccer team carved up a 15-2 record and seized the section title. They kicked their way into the WPIAL quarterfinals but were defeated by Sewickley Academy.

Riverview Boys Soccer in action. photo courtesy of Brian Davis and Riverview High School Yearbook

Name and Position

Seniors: Heather Wagner, Midfield; Nicki Vokes, Midfield; Amanda Rust, Fullback; Sam Hare, Forward; Courtney Czwalga, Stopper; Kristen Czwalga, Sweeper; Jen Kalkstein, Midfield; Juniors: Sierra Close, Midfield; Molly Schwartz, Defender; Sophomores: Kelsi Fry, Forward; Susan Kalkstein, Midfield; Christina Buckey, Fullback; Kayce Hines, Forward; Shannon Hurley, Fullback; Magie McMellon, Defender; Carolyn Milito, Midfield; Julie Herstek, Forward; Taylor Lynch, Forward; Amber McLaughlin, Forward; Freshmen: Amanda Tarr, Stopper; Shelby Dale, Midfield; Rachel Walsh, Fullback; Lauren Clark, Fullback; Jorden Guido, Keeper; Genevieve Hurst, Midfield; Cassie Sokol, Stopper; Eryn Ciccioppio, Midfield; Taylor Myers, Midfield;

The Lady Foxes girls' volleyball team in Fox Chapel had a strong season. Coach Kris Scigliano's crew finished at the top of their section and looked to go deep into the playoffs, but hit a wall in the first round against Bethel Park.

Name

Seniors: Emily Bell, Erin Cooper, Samantha Friday, Jen Hollingsworth, Mary Lisowski, Juniors: Kelsey Moran, Kristen Mossman, Amanda Peck, Kylie Roman, Natalie Silverman, Megan Slagel, Kayla Zoller, Sophomores: Autumn Guthrie, Amanda Hauser, Amanda Kocent, Kristen Leya, Noelle Lininger, Jenny Poland, Freshmen: Dana Burkovich, Jessica Covelli, Carolyn Crates, Laura Donatelli, Emily Feenstra, Rachel Gordon, Kelsey Hayes, Cayleigh Kielbasa, Victoria Konopasek, Jennifer Leya, Natalie Love, Kayla Mistick, Kaylee Platt, Irina Silvasy, Raleigh Silverman, Alexis Taylor, Ashley Toole,

Freeport Girls' Volleyball Team courtesy of LifeTouch National School Studios

The Fox Chapel boys' soccer team, coached by Mark Perry, scored a 13-3-2-season record. The Foxes finished the regular season 9-2-1 in the section, one game behind the section leader, before going on into the playoffs, where they fell in the first round to Penn Trafford.

Name

Seniors: Jimmy Boyle, Cary Davis-Leizerowki, Tim Dodson, Chris Karas, Kahle Lenz, Christopher Martin, Mark Meinert, Patrick Spring, Brian Sullivan, Brandon Tauberg, Juniors: Maximilian Brustein, Andrew Gottlieb, Elliott Hall, Harley Miller, Kyle Richless, Pete Subasic, Evan Verbofsky, Adam Wagner, Sophomores: Mikhail Attaar, Tracey Banas, Colin Curry, Kevin Cunningham, Armand Dalessandro, Andy Feiler, Benjamin Hancock, James Troutman, Doug Weisband, Freshmen: Enrico Certo, Salvature Certo, Andy Coulson, Jayce Duquette, Jamison Hersh, Kyle Majerick, Jon Moore, James Paul, Lukas Schlatt, Troy Spindler, Kevin Wolfendale, Steven Wolfendale,

The senior Lady Jackets volleyball players began their high school career when Freeport Coach Tom Phillips began at the school and have come through all four years of his system. His program gives the girls a lot of experience with outdoor and pro-style volleyball and they have risen to the challenge. "This year's team has been phenomenal," Phillips says, "I couldn't be happier with them." With a 16-0 overall record, the Jackets are poised to be strong post-season contenders. And contend they have. Freeport won the first round of WPIALs against Thomas Jefferson, and line up against South Park in the WPIAL quarterfinals on November 1rst.

Name and Position

Kiski Area Girls' Soccer Team courtesy of Hourglass Studios

Seniors: Stephanie Leslie, S; Kelly Acre, MH; Katelyn Macurdy, OH; Dana Turley, OH, Marisa DeSalvo, MH; Juniors: Ashley Stover, OppH; Sara Ostrowski, S/L; Anna Foust, L; Sophomores: Emily Kinter, MH; Merrissa Malcolm, DS; Jessica Smith, OH; Samantha Campbell, OH; Brittney Turley, S/L; Sarah Mientus, DS/OPP; Freshman: Jessica Baker, DS; Amanda Zehumensky, MH; Chelsea Fleischman, DS/L; Dominique Hess, OH; Amber Elder, S; Brittany McDermott, OH;

Kiski Area girls' soccer Coach Tim Sharek saw his girls plan to use a four-leaf clover for some extra luck before a game. But when the Lady Cavs lost, he put a quick end to that possible ritual. The real charm that put his team on top of the section with a 15-3 record, the coach says, is the conditioning and attitude on his team. "They're all tremendous kids. When they come on the field, they come to play," Sharek says. Kiski's play positioned them to be heavy-duty hitters—or kickers—in the post-season. The Lady Cavaliers advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals before falling to Peters Township.

Name and Position

Seniors: Melissa Sharek, Midfield; Katy Barker, Fullback; Emily Mann, Fullback; Charleen Palermo, Defender; Lindsay Plowman, Midfield; Ashley Wilson, Defender; Elyse Skowronek, Defender; Juniors: Krista Jones, Midfield; Rachel Wilkin, Defender; Andrea Dobbs, Midfield; Michelle Manofsky, Defender; Kristen Jeffries, GK; Viann Heder, Midfield/fullback; Danielle Hall, Defender; Leah Ulizio, Defender; Sophomores: Alyssa Depanicis, Fullback; Brittany Lange, Defender; Jesselyn Terrill, Fullback; Julia Rozewicz, Midfield/GK; Kristina Hendrick, Defender; Katlyn Shemak, Midfielder; Cassandra Curran, Defender; Freshmen: Ashley Waner, Defender; Jessica Wasas, Fullback; Kayla Robinson, Fullback; Shelby Clever, Defender; Grace Evans, Defender; Christine Zalewski, Defender; Emily Barker, Defender; Stephanie Garee, Fullback; Davina Hefflin, Midfield; Chelsea Young, Defender;

The Kiski Area boys' soccer team made it to the first round of playoffs before falling to WPIAL powerhouse Plum. Coach Bob Wright's Cavaliers improved on their 13-6 mark last year, finishing 14-6 and third in the section.

Leechburg Girls' Volleyball Team

Name and Position

Seniors: Dustin Walker, GK; Greg Cecchetti, Midfielder; Keith Hodges, Defender; Robert Vita, Midfielder; Nick Lundberg, Defender; Aaron Yoder, Forward; Juniors: Cody Eckman, Defender; Kris Bowman, Defender; Chris Dunlay, Forward; Stefan Lundberg, Midfielder; Jesse Randall, Midfielder; Chris Parlett, Midfielder; Sophomore: Corey Jenkins, Midfield; Travis Charlton, Defender; Ryan Petrina, Forward; Andrew Weigold, Midfielder; Anthony May, Defender; Nikko Whiten, Midfielder; Freshmen: Jared Barr, Forward; Brennan Foster, Forward; John Thall, Midfielder; Bryan Green, Forward; Ben Cramer, Defender; Jim Haugh, Midfielder; Dylan Freeman, Midfielder; Eric Roffol, Defender; Nick Graham, Midfielder; Aaron Frech, Defender; Josh Vocke, Midfielder; Eric Hrovoski, GK.

After away games, the girls' volleyball team on Leechburg Coach Ellen Toy's bus often begins singing oldies songs or songs from their Chorus. With 10-3 overall and 8-1 section marks, the Lady Blue Devils pretty much sang their own tune through the season and into the playoffs. "They're a unique group, and very close. They have an understanding of team unity and a strong work ethic," Coach Toy says. "Our practices are off the chart!" That off-the-chart work set into motion a season that may not stop until Leechburg turns off the lights in the Class A and sends everybody home. Leechburg faces North Catholic in the second round of WPIALs, the quarterfinals, on November 1rst.

Name

Seniors: Allison Shepler, Setter; Claire Brady, M-H; Kenzie Crisswell, OH; Maggie Jones, Def; Marissa Tira, OH; Lindsey Ulizio, Def ; Gina Peterman, Oh; M-H, Haley Bradbury; Juniors: Jamie Bologna, Setter; Erica Romaniw, M-H; Caitlin Schultz, M-H, Emily Batiz, Setter; Karlee Fisher, Def; Kayla Craig, Def; Ashley Klingensmith, Def; Junior Varsity: Keli Barnes, Kelsey Antoniono, Keri Bares, Toni Antoniono, Heather Zack, Sarah Pastva, Kalee Eshelman, Jamie Olbeter, Megan Cockroft, Eve Hebrank.

Riverview Boys Soccer in action. photo courtesy of Brian Davis and Riverview High School Yearbook

In Quad-A boys' soccer it's been Plum turning out the lights all season on opponents' hopes of a win. Coached by Jeff Nese (of the local "Nese soccer dynasty"), the Mustangs ran away with the number one spot in the section and tied up a 16-1-1 season. As playoff action began, the Mustang contender ranked number two in Quad-A and was gunning for number one, the WPIAL crown. The Mustangs have made it to the WPIAL semi-finals at this point, to be played November 1rst against Chartiers Valley.

Name and Position

Seniors: Michael Tardio, Defender/Midfielder; Jonathan Fisher, Defender; Zach Matthews, GK; Mike McDade, Defender; Brice Lott, Fullback; Matt Fecik, Defender; Nick Russo, Defender; Ben Fecik, Fullback; John Kraemer, Defender; Richard Yelley, Midfielder; James Lewandowski, Fullback; Pat Hanlon, Midfielder; Juniors: Chris Yankoski, Defender; Paul Paradise, Fullback/Midfielder; Anthony Pagano, Defender; Alex Burg, Fullback; Sophomores: Anthony Russo, Fullback/Midfielder; Clayton Kubrick, Fullback/Midfielder; Matthew Kraemer, Defender; Michael Cuccaro, GK; Anthony DellaSala, Defender; Freshmen: Marc Bucci, Midfielder;

Plum's girls' volleyball team wrapped up their season at number two in their section. The Lady Mustangs, co-coached by Mike Larko and Jeff Wolfe, entered the playoffs with 7-3 section, 7-6 overall records. Wolfe said the improvement was because the girls had "taken it up a notch." It's the first time to the playoffs in a while for the Lady Mustangs.

Name and Position

Seniors: Lorren Hudson, MB; Kelley Deasey, DS; Lauren Kettering, MH; Kaitlyn Hester, RH; Valerie Dern, OH; Katie Harbison, OH; Michelle Asmann, DS; Jessica Wilson, RH; Juniors: Amanda Wymard, DS; Megan Kehlert, S; Brittany Shamrock, OH; Lauren Rupert, DS; Alissa Smith, MH; Kayla Hanlon, S/OH; Sophomores: Kelly Miller, S/OH; Brianna Balcik, OH; Jenn Slifer, MH; Winnie Wong, DS;

Second-place regular-season finishes can be a bit deceiving. Often the one or two losses many of these teams had are to old nemesises, perpetual heavyweights, or even to teams that are in a class or two higher.

Take Riverview's boys' soccer squad. The Raiders ripped a 15-3-1 overall record and a 10-2 section while burning their way to second place in the section. They lost two (and first place in the section) to Shadyside, the third-ranked team in Class-A, and one to a AA team, Burrell, coached by…their own coach's son. Riverview Coach Bob Kariotis is very pleased with where the team is going: "They're a scrappy bunch of kids…we have something special this year…anything here on out is just gravy. I stand on the sidelines and they just basically make me look good…I just couldn't be prouder of a group of kids." Riverview finished their season in the first round of the WPIALs, losing to Center.

Name and Position

Seniors: Reed Koenig, GK-F, Matt Brezinski, HB; Jason Rickard, HB; Jake Connell, HB; Ryan Anderson, FB; Kevin Trapani, CHB; Juniors: Nate Miller, F; David Donatucci, ST; Shawn Flowers, CHB; Matt Miller, F; Nick Giovanetti, FB; Parker Trow, SW; Sophomores: Ben Flowers, FB; Josh Getty, GK-F; Paul Bertovich, HB; Joey DeFrancisis, FB-SW; Kyle Brewer, CHB; Sam Kelly, FB Freshmen: Steven Myers, FB; Gus Benusa, F; Joey Killian, FB; Andrew Gentilcore, F; Jake Stein, CHB; Conor Favo, HB; Jacob Brezinski, HB; Alex Cosentino, GK-FB;