“Teamwork makes the dream work.” That is the story for the 7-1 Norwin Knights volleyball team, manned by senior Lucas Churchfield and company. Head Coach Mike Palashak is ready to take on Peter’s Township on Thursday, Apr. 18, and acknowledges the success of his team.
“Ball control is our best attribute,” said Palashak. “Nick Pusckaric, Ben [Tygelski], Troy [Horvath]. We’ve leaned on their setting ability and our serving is our focus right now.”
The team is made up of nine seniors, including newcomers Alex Rigone and Will Lininger, alongside key starters Jackson Genicola, Troy Horvath, Benjamin Tygielski, and others.
“The seniors mean a lot,” said junior Nick Puskaric. “They are the heart and soul of this team and run practice. We are all friends and operating as a unit; we feel connected right now.”
Norwin was section tournament champions earlier in the season, sweeping the field, and defeating Butler in the final to clinch the tournament title at Norwin High School on March 23rd.
Norwin finished 5th in the WPIAL last season and already equaled their section win total from that team. Norwin started the season with lofty expectations and has delivered, suffering their only loss to Butler on Monday, Apr. 15.
“Losing against Butler really fueled the fire in us,” said senior Ben Tygelski who has stepped up as one of Norwin’s key pieces throughout this season. “We also really don’t like [losing to] PT.”
Tygelski is committed to Penn State Greater Allegheny for electrical engineering.
“We need to improve on closing out games, but we always find a way to get it done,” said Tygelski. “Whether it’s being scrappy or putting the ball down when we need to.”
There is more work to do for the Knights as they have two remaining games this week against Peter’s Township and Moon Area High School, both on the road.
At the beginning of the season, we made the goal of becoming WPIAL champions for the first time in school history. We have worked extra hard each and every day at practice. Since the beginning of the season, the team has become way more diverse. Everyone is stepping up and contributing to the success we are having.” — Jackson Genicola, senior
Genicola is committed to Saint Vincent College to study Aeronautics and will play volleyball at the school.
Norwin’s marque matchups for the remainder of the year consist of Tuesday, Apr. 26 @ Upper St. Clair, Senior Knight on May 2nd against Pittsburgh Central Catholic, May 4th’s tournament at State College High School, and Penn-Trafford at home on May 9th.
The WPIAL playoffs begin on Monday, May 15th.