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Sunday, August 25, 2024 | 11:01 AM
Raymond Ager III enjoys being part of a team. While playing for the Steel City Bobcats, an adult football league team from Friendship Park, Ager watched the Penn Hills girls volleyball team practice.
“I saw some girls practicing over there and asked them what they did,” Ager said. “They told me they were on the Penn Hills volleyball team. I liked how dedicated they were and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Ager will succeed athletic director Stephanie Strauss as head coach at the school. Strauss is a former Division III volleyball player who took over as head coach last season after the school was unable to find a coach. Ager, who graduated from Perry High School in 2008, played varsity football for four years during her high school career.
The Indians, who missed the playoffs last season, were scheduled to open the season on the road against Penn-Trafford on Aug. 26. Ager said it will take time for everyone on the team to get used to their new roles.
During the scrimmage against Highlands, Ager said he is part of the learning process.
“I learned a lot,” Ager said, “I learned not to screw up with my substitutions. We need to not rush so much and relax. I messed up the substitution order. We had two girls named Maya and I put in the wrong Maya. So it kind of messed us up, but once we learned, it worked out. In the second set, we were on track.”
The Indians will compete in Section 4-4A this season along with Armstrong, Fox Chapel, Kiski, Shaler and Woodland Hills.
Penn Hills High School senior middle blocker Tristan Thompson feels he has learned a lot about volleyball during his time with the program.
Learning from Jay Mitro, Strauss and Ager has given her perspective on different styles as she prepares to take on a leadership role for the first time. Thompson missed much of last season because of an ankle injury.
“I think I definitely encourage my guys and make them do their best and make them feel confident,” Thompson said. “I think that's my leadership style, honestly, when it comes to making my teammates feel good, I want to reassure them when they're wondering, 'What am I doing wrong?'
KJ Magley, Nayla Ferguson, Zakeyla Montini and Thompson will be handling the offense, with Montini excited to be entering her second season with the varsity team.
Montini isn't the tallest outside hitter, but instead focuses on hitting the ball in the right spot.
“I don't really think about it when I hit it,” Montini says, “I decide where to hit it and then I just hit the ball wherever the block is. I try to break through the block. If I'm in the right position, the ball should go straight through the block.”
Thompson said Penn Hills is focused on staying positive, and the Indians have a young roster that should see big improvements throughout the season.
Thompson hopes everyone will notice the improvement.
“We're always trying to look past it,” Thompson says. “Things are fast-paced and there's not a lot of time for reflection. We try to take short periods of time so we're not too hard on ourselves.”
Tag: Penn Hills