Pride in the PSUAC with Penn State Greater Allegheny's Alyssa Finocchi

This is the first in a year-long series of feature stories written by PSUAC student-athletes and coaches, highlighting their experiences in the PSUAC.

By Alyssa Finocchi

MCKEESPORT, Pa. - I lived in Baldwin, just outside of Pittsburgh, Pa., my entire life, not knowing that less than 30 minutes away was the place I'd spend the next 14 years and counting--Penn State Greater Allegheny.

My volleyball journey started in elementary school, continued through high school and after ending my senior year as undefeated section champions, I assumed my volleyball career was over in 2011. However, life took me down a different path than expected. When I was halfway through my first week of college at PSUGA, I was approached by a volleyball player who had heard I played in high school and asked me to come to practice that week.

I was hesitant. I didn't know anyone on the team, nor did I know the coach. But the competitor in me was curious about the team and the atmosphere. I would be lying if I said it was an all-star team I walked into, which was initially difficult having come from such a successful high school program. I was conflicted as to whether I should stay a part of the volleyball team at PSUGA. Little did I know that staying on that team would eventually be one of the best decisions of my life.

In the end, I made several friends and was having fun even though we were not winning as much as I would have liked to in my first two years. When I initially enrolled at PSUGA, I planned to be part of the 2+2 program and move to the University Park in my third year. But I knew my volleyball career was not done as the competitor in me knew there was unfinished business during my time with PSUGA volleyball, so I made the decision to stay my entire four years at PSUGA. We started winning more games, being more competitive, gaining new recruits and ultimately my senior year in 2015, we ended up winning our first playoff game and going to the final four in the PSUAC Championship Tournament. Although we lost in the semifinals, this accomplishment meant the world to me as our roster had been depleted at the time yet we all worked together to make our goals a reality.

The numerous accolades I received while playing in the PSUAC are still some of my favorite awards I have ever received. I loved seeing my teammates on the top of the individual statistics leaderboard on the conference's website along with the progress we had made as a team. I was honored to be a part of that success, earning three PSUAC First Team All-Conference awards and seven PSUAC Player of the Week awards during my tenure. I was more than thrilled to gain these awards and ultimately be a part of changing the way PSUGA Volleyball was, and would be, perceived and represented.

After graduation, again I assumed my volleyball career was over. Although playing on the court was, I was eventually given an opportunity to interview for the head volleyball coach position at my alma mater. I immediately knew I was the person for the job, and I am fortunate that I was not the only one who believe that.

That first season was definitely a transition year, a learning year and growing year for us all. However, I used all of the lessons I learned to make my second year better. I hit the recruiting trail and was able to recruit a class of 10 new players and once again our trajectory was moving upward.  Throughout the following years, we added more players, got more competitive in the way we practiced and competed, worked together as a team and won games we once didn't think possible. And before we knew it, we were hoisting the PSUAC Volleyball Championship trophy in 2021 for the first time in program history.

To this day, and probably forever, this will be one of the highlights of not only my volleyball career, but my life. While playing, I used to think there was no better feeling than putting on a uniform and playing for my own stats and my own goals. Coaching at PSUGA and being a part of the lives of the players I have met throughout my time here, changed my views completely. Now I know that the better feeling is getting to watch the program I helped build, through the eyes of these younger players, and being there to help them succeed. I have been a part of their growth as individuals and seen their confidence expand with each season. Instead of my own goals, I help them set their own and work with them to set new records (even when those records they're breaking are mine…).

The PSUAC has been a part of my life now for many years, as I will enter my ninth year coaching at Penn State Greater Allegheny. Each year the feelings remain the same, nervousness yet excitement and overall pride to put PSUGA in a positive light whenever I can. This competitive and close-knit conference has given me more opportunities than I ever thought I would receive while playing and coaching volleyball. I have made friendships and relationships that have helped me grow as a player, coach and person on and off the court.

The words Penn State alone are attention grabbing to any conversation and engrained in people's everyday lives. But the words Penn State Greater Allegheny Volleyball will always be engraved in my heart.