Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Volleyball Team advanced to the first round of the 2023 WPIAL Class 3A Girls Volleyball Championship on Oct. 25, but was defeated 3-2 by the South Fayette Lions.
The Lady Planets ended the 2023 regular season with an overall record of 9-9 and 8-4 in Section 4-3A play.
Players on this year’s team included seniors Emma Balazentis, Emily Long, Emma McCosby, Taylor Schmitt and Lillyanna Staines; juniors McKenna Daschbach, Hailey Duker, Lily Javor and Ella Nicotra; and, sophomores Mara Balazentis, Eden Brennen, Cecilia Christy, Alaina Graham and Rylee Wooldridge.
For more information, visit www.wpial.org.
2022-2023
Boys Volleyball Players Names to 2023 Class 2A All-WPIAL Team
Four members of Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Volleyball Team were named among the top players in the region.
Junior Ryan Ceh (Middle Hitter) was named to the 2023 Class 2A All-WPIAL First Team; sophomore Derek Piatek (Outside Hitter) and sophomore Kyler Robinson (Setter) to the Second Team; and junior Colton Riska (Libero) to the Third Team.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
2023 PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Volleyball Championship
Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Volleyball Team advanced to the first round of the 2023 PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Volleyball Championship on June 6, but were defeated 3-2 by the West Shamokin Wolves.
The Fightin’ Planets advanced to the state playoffs after taking third place in the 2023 WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Volleyball Championship with the team’s 3-2 win over the Greater Latrobe Wildcats in the Third Place Consolation Game on May 25. The team lost to the Ambridge Bridgers 3-0 in the WPIAL Semifinals on May 23.
The team thwarted the Montour Spartans 3-2 in the WPIAL Quarterfinals on May 18. The Planets ended the regular season with an overall record of 15-3 and 9-1 in section and tying with Greater Latrobe Wildcats for the Section 2-2A title.
Players on this year’s team included junior Ryan Ceh and sophomores Derek Piatek and Kyler Robinson, who were named to the 2023 Section 2-2A All-Stars First Team; senior Connor Tomcik and juniors Tyler Raabe and Colton Riska to the Second Team; and junior Liam Quinn to the Third Team.
Rounding out the team are junior Amir Ali, Mason Coone, Kayden Gratton, Owen Javor and Ayden Starcher; and sophomores Chase Allard and Cory Killian.
For more information, visit www.piaa.org.
2023 Section 2-2A Boys Varsity Volleyball All-Stars First Team
Several members of Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Volleyball Team were named among the top players in the region.
Junior Ryan Ceh (Middle Hitter), sophomore Derek Piatek (Outside Hitter) and sophomore Kyler Robinson (Setter) were named to the 2023 Section 2-2A All-Stars First Team; senior Connor Tomcik (Middle Hitter), junior Tyler Raabe (Outside Hitter) and junior Colton Riska (Libero) to the Second Team; and, junior Liam Quinn (Right-side Hitter) to the Third Team.
For more information, contact the Athletics Office at (724) 625-9380.
Fox Chapel Boys Varsity Volleyball Invitational
The Fightin’ Planets won eight out of 11 sets and topped the Derry Area Trojans 25-15 to winning the event. The Planets competed against teams from Armstrong, Central Catholic, Deer Lakes, Derry Area, Fox Chapel, Obama Academy, and Pine-Richland high schools.
Participating team members included senior Conor Tomcik; juniors Amir Ali, Ryan Ceh, Mason Coone, Kaden Gratton, Liam Quinn, Tyler Raabe and Colton Riska; and, sophomores Derek Piatek and Kyler Robinson.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
2022 WPIAL Class 3A Girls Volleyball Championship
Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Volleyball Team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2022 WPIAL Class 3A Girls Volleyball Championship on Oct. 29, but was defeated 3-2 by the Greater Latrobe Wildcats.
The Lady Planets topped the Trinity Hillers 3-0 in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs on Oct. 26. The team ended the 2022 regular season with an overall record of 12-5 and 10-2 in Section 5-3A play.
Players on this year’s team were senior Lauren Atwell, Ava Donnelly, Lucie Morlino, Kate Muchnok, Anna Pietrusinski and Megan Yanief; juniors Emma Balazentis, Emily Long, Emma McCosby, Taylor Schmitt and Lillyanna Staines; sophomores Lily Javor and Ella Nicotra; and, freshman Camdynn Gonzalez.
For more information, visit www.wpial.org.
2021-2022
2022 Boys Volleyball All-Stars
Three members of Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Volleyball Team were named among the top players in the region.
Sophomore Ryan Ceh (outside hitter) was selected for the 2022 Class 2A All-Section First Team and senior Ryan Mitchell (outside hitter/right side hitter) and junior Conor Tomcik (middle blocker) to the Third Team.
This season the Fightin’ Planets advanced to quarterfinals of the 2022 WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Volleyball Championship. The team ended the regular season with an overall record of 2-15 and 1-9 in section.
For more information, visit www.wpial.org.
2022 WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Volleyball Championship
Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Volleyball Team advanced to quarterfinals of the 2022 WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Volleyball Championship on May 19, but were defeated 3-2 by the Montour Spartans.
The Fightin’ Planets routed the Seton LaSalle Rebels 3-2 in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs on May 17. The team ended the regular season with an overall record of 2-15 and 1-9 in section, earning the Section 2-5A title.
Players on this year’s team are seniors Tyler Kearney, Ryan Mitchell, Mitch Valentine and Scott Wright; juniors Ethen Kosiorek, Drew Piatek and Conor Tomcik; sophomores Amir Ali, Nate Bossola, Ryan Ceh, Mason Coone, Vivek Dadi, Kayden Gratton, Owen Javor, Kyle Organ, Stephen Parker, Collin Petty, Liam Quinn, Tyler Raabe, Colton Riska and Ayden Starcher; and, freshmen Chase Allard, Derek Piatek and Kyler Robinson.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380 or visit www.wpial.org.
WPIAL Class 2A Feature Athlete of the Week
Senior Ryan Mitchell, a member of Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Volleyball Team, was named a WPIAL Class 2A Boys Volleyball Feature Athlete of the Week.
“Ryan is our senior leader on the court,” says Michael Nypaver. “He was critical to our success last season and has been a consistent player for us this season.”
Mitchell (Outside/Right Hitter) is a two-year member of the team, which advanced to the first round of the first round of the 2021 WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Volleyball Championship.
At Mars Area High School, Mitchell is a high honors student. He is also a member of the school’s Varsity Hockey Team and was selected to compete in the 2022 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (PIHL) Class 2A All-Star Game.
Mitchell plans to attend Miami University (Oxford, Ohio). For more information, visit http://swpavolley.com/2022_Boys_Web/2022_BV_Feature.htm.
2021 Section 5-3A Girls Varsity Volleyball All-Stars
Four members of Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Volleyball Team were named 2021 Section 5-3A All-Stars.
Junior Anna Pietrusinski was named to the All-Stars First Team and senior Ava Black to the Second Team. Junior Lauren Atwell and junior Ava Donnelly were Third Team.
This season, the Lady Planets advanced to the first round of the 2021 WPIAL Class 3A Girls Volleyball Championship. The team ended the 2021 regular season with an overall record of 7-7 and 6-6 in Section 5-3A play.
For more information, visit www.wpial.org.
WPIAL Class 3A Girls Volleyball Championship
Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Volleyball Team advanced to the first round of the 2021 WPIAL Class 3A Girls Volleyball Championship on Oct. 27, but was defeated 3-0 by the South Fayette Lions.
The Lady Planets tamed the Blackhawk Cougars 3-0 in the preliminary round of the WPIAL Playoffs on Oct. 25. The team ended the 2021 regular season with an overall record of 7-7 and 6-6 in Section 5-3A play.
Players on this year’s team included seniors Ava Black and Yumeno Ikeda; juniors Lauren Atwell, Ava Donnelly, Emma Libert, Lucie Morlino, Kate Muchnok, Anna Pietrusinski and Megan Yanief; sophomore Emily Long; and, freshmen Ella Nicotra and Lily Javor.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380 or visit www.wpial.org.