Veteran Led Squad Aims for Successful 2024 Campaign - Volleyball Preview

2024 PSUGA Volleyball Preseason Preview

(McKeesport, PA)

By: Matt Bisceglia

Veteran Led Squad Aims for Successful 2024 Campaign

As the countdown to the 2024 volleyball season begins, Penn State Greater Allegheny is poised for another successful season on the court. Head Coach Alyssa Finocchi and her squad are looking to compete well in the PSUAC and give themselves an opportunity to make it back to the big dance.

Entering her 8th season as Head Coach, Finocchi has a well respected resume of achievements under her belt, including a PSUAC Championship in 2021 and finishing top 4 in the conference over the last four seasons. "I learned that you have to coach every girl indivually, as much as it is a team sport," said Finocchi. Coach Finocchi led the team to a 11-13 (8-4 PSUAC) record a season and earned the 3rd seed in the conference tournament. "My expectation is always to make the playoffs," said Finocchi. "Anything after is icing on the cake," said Finocchi on her expectations for the 2024 season.

Hannah Kessler has been a dominant force on the court with defending spikes coming her way. Kessler set the all-time Penn State Greater Allegheny digs record a season, which she is now up to 1,143 career digs. Entering her 4th and final season, Kessler wants to make a bigger impact on her team with her last season at Greater Allegheny. "I want to be loud and make everyone feel comfortable on the team," said Kessler on how she plans to lead her team in 2024.

Gianna Tour has been excellent her first two seasons at Greater Allegheny, alongside fellow classmate Lily Barker. Tour finished last season with 163 kills, and Barker added 179 kills of her own. "I've been going to most of the open gyms as much as I can," said Tour. "Coming into this season with a positive attitude," Tour also said reflecting on how she plans to have another big season. Tour also doesn't just spike balls over the net, her presence on the court has been a key to Greater Allegheny's success. "Playing multiple positions, and being the most competitive on the team," said Tour. "I am switching positions this year, so maybe that will be recognized."

Another veteran Greater Allegheny hopes to get contributions from this year is 4th year, Nimiera Timsah. Timsah finished last season with 215 digs. "My confidence, we will be able to feed off of that and work together off of that," said Timsah on her biggest strength to helping the team succeed. "Being confident, but being humble so they still feel open enough to talk to you," said Timsah on how she can be a role model for the team in 2024.

Head Coach Alyssa Finocchi welcomed 4 new girls to the team this year, one of them including Setter Brianna Hayes (Liberty, PA). "She is going to be a setter for us which is a big role, we had a senior setter to graduated last year, so she has big shoes to fill," said Finocchi.

Penn State Greater Allegheny Women's Volleyball opens their season on Friday August 30th, playing Florida National at the USCAA Tipoff at Penn State Beaver, where they will be playing a couple other games at to finish that weekend. PSUAC conference play opens up for them on September 13th, at home welcoming Penn State Dubois.