FROM THE PRESS BOX: A GLIMPSE INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL — A LOOK AHEAD TO THE 2025 VOLLEYBALL SEASON (2024-12-04)

It was an interesting volleyball season in the Valley, with two teams faring on the opposite end of the spectrum, and the other two somewhere in between.

Tioga won a Section IV title and reached the state semifinals, while Sayre did not win a match. Athens struggled in the regular season, but reached the District 4, Class 3A finals, and Waverly struggled.

What does 2025 have in store? Let's take a glimpse into the crystal ball and see. The season is still more than nine months away, so it's a bit hazy, but here goes:

Athens Wildcats: After a 4-11 regular season, Athens swept Danville to reach the Class AAA championship game, where it dropped a five-set decision to top-seeded Shamokin.

The Wildcats will graduate eight seniors, and will return Elle Mosher, who played varsity the entire season, and Gretchen Haley, who saw a lot of time late in the season, as the only players with significant varsity experience.

Prediction: The Wildcats will need most of its JV team to step up and produce quickly if they're going to be competitive. Coach Heather Darrow has done a great job with this program, so I expect them to be ready. ... 2025 record: 4-12.

Sayre Wildcats: The Redskins finished 0-16, and have lost 66 consecutive matches, but there is hope heading into 2025.

Sayre graduates six seniors, but returns Rylie Lantz for her senior season, and Reghan McGaughey for her sophomore season, to go along with several underclassmen who saw action this season. The JV team also won several matches.

Prediction: Coach Severin Barbagallo knows the game, and has some young talent in the program. I think we've seen rock bottom. ... 2025 record: 2-14.

Tioga Tigers: The Tigers are coming off a 15-4 season, and a run to the Class C final four, and they will return nearly everyone in 2025.

The biggest graduation loss will be Kali Bailey, but Tioga will return the likes of RaeAnne Feeko, Audi Zorn, Lilly Mezzatesta, Vanessa Tunnicliff, Jade Keaty, and many more.

Prediction: The Tigers JV team reached the IAC Championship game, and should provide a few re-enforcements for 2025 like Vida Rossi, who was called up to varsity for the postseason and saw plenty of action, Lindsey Jeffrey, Kate Kithcart, and Peyton Black. ... 2025 record: 16-3 and another Section IV, Class C title.

Waverly Wolverines: A young Wolverine team struggled to a 3-11 mark in the rugged STAC Central Division, and graduates a number of seniors, including Lillie Kirk and Maddy Olmsted.

Waverly returns Brilynn Belles, and a number of youngsters who saw significant time this season, including Ava Heath, Addison Hunt, and Emma Richards-Randall.

Prediction: The Wolverines will need it young underclassmen to step up in 2025, and will also need re-enforcements from the JV team to produce immediately. 2025 record: 4-10.



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