KO volleys its way to victory

This week the girls’ volleyball team won against South Allegheny, the game ending with a score of 3-0.
So far this year the AA team has five wins and five losses and is led by co-captains Laura Poliziani and Kristy Lippert. They have played against Thomas Jefferson, South Fayette, East Allegheny, Steel Valley, West Mifflin, and Seton-LaSalle. KO alumni Ben Van Balen and Travis Michter are the head coach and assistant coach, respectively, and they utilize a 5:1 rotation with the center position playing all around, which appears to be an effective strategy against these teams given KO’s standings. The girls also have their standard pregame routine of warm-ups and music to get themselves in the right game-mindset.
However, what is really impressive about the team is how close they are. Senior Anamaria Ortiz recommends this sport to any underclassmen searching for the right after-school activity.
“When you join the team, it’s very much a bonding experience and it’s one of the most tight-knit groups this school has to offer.”
Most of this year’s team has a lot more experience as well, since this year’s starters played a lot last season.
As Ortiz put it, “We play better together. There’s more chemistry on the court which gives us a better chance of success.”
The team is set to play against East Allegheny, West Mifflin, Steel Valley, and Seton-LaSalle in the upcoming weeks. If you’re interested in attending and cheering on the girls, the games fall on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 pm.