The SOL’s Super Six includes some of the players who have already left their marks on their respective programs and who once again figure to be impact players in the SOL. The list of players below was compiled based on recommendations received from SOL coaches.
SOL’S SUPER SIXJULIE HARVEY – Hatboro-Horsham (Sr., Middle Hitter/Blocker)
The Hatters’ dangerous 6-2 middle hitter/blocker was a first team All-SOL selection and also received first team All-District One honors for a Hatter squad that was ranked in the state’s top 10 when the season ended last year. Harvey also received all-state recognition.
Coach Kathy Tanner says: “Julie is obviously the name everyone knows in the area because not only is she tall, but she’s very athletic, and she’s very smart. She’s a very smart hitter. She knows how to read the other team, and she knows where the block is at all times. Some kids are really strong and can put the ball where they want to, but she has that special talent of knowing exactly where to go on every play, which makes her that much more effective. The athleticism is very unusual for someone that tall – sometimes the taller you are, the less coordinated you are, but she just has a beautiful combination of the two, and you don’t see that often, which makes her that much more dynamic on the court.
“Usually, you don’t see middle hitters playing the back row, but she’s great at defense. Her stats are better than some of the defensive players. That’s just another thing that makes her such an outstanding all-around player, plus she’s nice and very humble. I’ll miss her next year.”
BAILEY DOWD – Council Rock North (Sr., Outside Hitter)
Dowd, a 6-3 outside hitter, was a second team All-SOL selection as a junior and also received honorable All-District One for the district runner-up Indians, who were ranked in the top 10 in the state at the close of the season. Dowd has made a verbal commitment to accept a volleyball scholarship to attend Virginia Tech next season.
Coach Kinsey Lynch says: “Bailey is a very competitive player by nature. She’s the kind of kid on the court where, in pressure situations, you know she’s going to be dependable. As a coach, to have a player on the court that is so mentally and physically competitive is so refreshing because you know they will always be there to put the ball on the floor, to get an aggressive serve in, to put up a block, and that’s Bailey. She gets so fired up, and it’s really great to watch her in action.
“She works extremely hard. She’s been playing club since she was in middle school and has been fortunate enough to be on some very successful club teams. She has been playing in nationals since she was 14, and she’s worked with a variety of coaches, which has helped her develop into the player she is. She’s one of four seniors on our team, and she has a great relationship with everyone on our team. She has grown and developed from year to year, and we couldn’t be more proud that she is moving on to the collegiate level. That’s the result of her really hard work ethic. Bailey has a never-quit attitude, and anyone who watches her can pick that up right away.”
DEVON MAUGLE – Plymouth Whitemarsh (Sr., Outside Hitter)
Maugle – a four-year varsity player who was the Colonials’ top hitter - was a first team All-SOL selection as a junior and also was named to the All-District One second team. She was a first team all-state selection.
Coach Michael Nguyen says: “She’s improved in every way possible as a volleyball player. She doesn’t have many weaknesses, and she’s still willing to learn and trying to find ways to get better. She’s maxed out a lot of her skills and attributes already while others are still struggling with serve receive. She makes volleyball look really easy.
“Devon has always been our go-to person, but now she’s taking on not only the role of floor leader, but she’s the team captain. Everybody is following her lead, and she’s been doing a great job so far in the early season.”
DEVYN INGRAM – Upper Merion (Sr., Outside Hitter)
A four-year varsity player for the Vikings, Ingram was a second team All-SOL selection and also received second team All-District One recognition last year. She joined teammate Cassidy Koenig on the all-state squad as well.
Coach Tony Funsten says: “Devyn had to play middle her freshman and sophomore years. I just have so much respect for her because she had to sacrifice for two years before she could go to the outside her junior year last year. It’s not fun being 5-8 as a freshman and sophomore and playing middle, but she did it. She did it for the success of the team, and we won a district title with her playing middle.
“Devyn is a very good defensive player, and she has real good instincts for the game. She’s a tremendous all-around player. She was willing to sacrifice but now is stepping up to be the player that we rally around. She’s matured tremendously in the four years I’ve known her. I’m really proud of her.”
CASSIDY KOENIG – Upper Merion (Jr., Setter)
Koenig is a three-year varsity starter for the Vikings, and she was one of just two sophomores selected to last year’s all-state squad. She received third team all-league honors and was second team all-district.
Coach Tony Funsten says: “Cassidy has a sister Ali who is five years older than she is, and she just grew up with the game. She’s such a competitive athlete. Until this year, she played soccer, basketball and volleyball. She’s always played every sport AAU – playing club soccer, club basketball and club volleyball, so she basically has been playing sports forever, and she also was playing at a very high level at a young age. She’s been to volleyball nationals at least four times already, and she’s played with some other great players. She just has so much experience, and she just has a tremendous feel for the game. I trust her judgment, and there are very few times when she has to look at me for some guidance. She can handle the game. She’s a winner. Cassidy plays to win.”
ALEX GRIFFIN – Plymouth Whitemarsh (Jr., Outside Hitter)
Griffin was a second team all-league selection and a third team all-district selection last year.
Coach Michael Nguyen says: “Physically she has all the skills. She’s like Ryan Howard, and when she gets a hold of it, she can hit with the best of them. She knows if a set’s really off to keep it in play and try to get the ball back and put it away another time. She’s a smart player, and she’s willing to get better, and that’s what you want from every one of your players. Defensively, she’s good, and she can block and jump with the best of them. She still has a lot to work on because she’s still rough around the edges, but Alex will sacrifice her body for the team. She’s always going all-out and giving the maximum effort.”
OTHERS TO WATCH:
Abington: Elizabeth Gassman (Outside Hitter)
Central Bucks East: Madi Staub (Jr., Middle Blocker), Caroline Davis (Soph., Setter), Courtney Kauffman (Soph., Middle Blocker)
Central Bucks South: Meghan Kaminski (Jr., Middle Hitter), Jayne Mulhern (Jr., Libero), Abby Mummert (Soph., Outside Hitter)
Central Bucks West: Sarah Steers (Sr., Middle Hitter), Mollie Belfus (Sr., Outside Hitter)
Council Rock North: Rachel Friedman (Sr., Outside Hitter), Dani Borgia (Sr., Libero)
Council Rock South: Chelsea Leon (Sr., Outside Hitter)
Harry S. Truman: Stevie Marie VanSchaick (Sr., Setter), Jackie Fidler (Jr., Outside Hitter)
Hatboro-Horsham: Kelsey Baranak (Sr., Setter), Kathryn Lucca (Jr., Outside Hitter)
Neshaminy: Brooke Diegel (Sr., Libero), Jess O’Donnell (Sr., Middle Hitter)
North Penn: Devon Redilla (Sr., Outside Hitter), Kendra Allen (Jr., Outside Hitter/Setter)
Pennsbury: Juliana Slaven (Sr., Setter), Audrey Stringer (Jr., Opposite Hitter), Lauren Pisauro (Jr., Outside Hitter)
Quakertown: Sarah Hower (Sr., Defensive Specialist/Libero)
Souderton: Bri McMichael (Sr., Libero)
Upper Dublin: Taylor Kahny (Jr., Middle Hitter)
William Tennent: Melissa Wasserleben (Middle Hitter)
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