12/9/2020
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Berwick, Redeemer, Nanticoke players make all-state
Matt Bufano – Citizens Voice
Over several years, the Wyoming Valley Conference has come to know Sierra Hines, Myla Vnuk, Sarah Steeber and CeCe Isenberg as being among its best volleyball players.
This week, their reputations got another boost that extend far beyond the boundaries of Northeast Pennsylvania.
The four multi-year starters each earned their first all-state nods, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association.
“When I first joined as a freshman, I wasn’t really that into volleyball. My main sport was basketball back then,” said Hines, a senior at Holy Redeemer. “But once I started playing more and more, I really fell in love with volleyball. Especially as a freshman, I didn’t really have any expectations going into it, so to have all these accolades now makes me really happy.”
Hines, a middle hitter who recorded 114 kills in the regular season and led Redeemer to the District 2 Class 2A title in the postseason, said she looked to her coaches and older players for guidance leading up to this point.
Specifically, Hines said, Livia Moore, an all-state hitter who’s one year older, played a major role in her development.
“Watching her and getting tips from her really helped me grow as a volleyball player,” said Hines, who will continue her career at Wilkes University. “I’m really grateful to be in such a program as Redeemer, because we’ve had so many good players. That’s really helped.”
Vnuk, a junior at Nanticoke Area, also comes from a basketball background.
She, too, has thrived on the volleyball court, racking up 149 kills, 114 service points, 53 digs and 51 aces this season for the Trojanettes.
“I’m obviously thrilled for her,” said Nanticoke Area head coach Deb Gavin. “She’s a hard worker, she’s coachable, she really loves the sport. As a matter of fact, she sort of came from the world of basketball. One day, she said, ‘I want to concentrate on (volleyball),’ which was rather a surprise to me, and she certainly did put in the effort, the work, the time and did a lot of extras outside of the season.”
Joining Vnuk on the Class 3A all-state team were Berwick teammates Steeber and Isenberg.
Among the youngest all-state players in any classification, Steeber and Isenberg were two of only three Class 3A all-state sophomores.
“I can’t say enough good things about both of them,” said Berwick head coach Sarah Warner. “Their work ethic is excellent. And to have such young kids in the gym, understanding the type of dedication and sacrifice and hard work that it takes, it’s pretty exciting to watch.”
Warner, who’s led Berwick since 2012, said Steeber and Isenberg are her first players to be selected all-state.
The all-state news was a cherry on top for the Bulldogs, who won the District 2 Class 3A championship, their first in program history.
“It’s taken a long time to build to the point that we have athletes capable of doing that,” Warner said of the all-state news. “It’s pretty cool.”
Blue Ridge’s Hunter Heeman (Class 1A) and Delaware Valley’s Brooke Acoveno (4A) also made all-state.
10/8/2020
2020 Citizens' Voice Girls Volleyball All-Stars
Tom Fox – Citizens Voice
Myla Vnuk
Nanticoke Area
Junior
Outside hitter
She was selected first team in the WVC, and its her second straight year on The Voice all-star squad. She was second in the league with 149 kills, and added 114 service points, 51 aces and 53 digs.
Jenna Baron
Nanticoke Area
Senior
Outside hitter
Baron was selected to the 2019 Citizens’ Voice all-star team, and was a versatile athlete on the Trojans’ 12-1 squad. In addition to her 63 kills, she led GNA with 144 service points and was second on the team with 35 aces.
9/8/2020
WVC Volleyball Preview
Tom Fox - Citizens Voice
Nanticoke Area
Head Coach: Debbie Gavin
2019 Record: 13-2
Team Outlook: The Trojanettes bring a ton of experience and will be a contender
for both the league and district titles. Gavin has a good blend
with seniors Jenna Baron, Abby and Emmy Cullen, along with juniors Kylie Albert,
Brooklyn Biehl and Myla Vnuk. Vnuk, a Citizens’ Voice all-star one season ago,
will be one of the premier hitters in the WVC.
“I give the kids credit because you can tell how much they want to play this season,” Gavin said.
“The kids are doing a great job with following safety procedures, wearing their masks and
even making sure we are being safe during our drills.
They understand how important safety is going to be.”