Departures won’t hinder Jaguars’ plans to contend

By Dean Dellamalva Jr. 

MVI Sports

The Thomas Jefferson girls volleyball had quite the 2019 campaign. 

The Jaguars advanced all the way to the WPIAL Class 3A championship game and moved on to the PIAA quarterfinals before falling to the eventual state champions from District 3’s Palmyra.

The Jaguars (19-3, 14-0 in Section 3-3A) started strong with two in-season tournament titles (Derry and South Fayette) and rolled on from there. 

The 2020 version of the TJ volleyball team has the ability to make another run; however, they will have to find replacements for six players who were multiple-year contributors to the team.

“Last year our team was an experienced, well-rounded team with a strong middle and good first ball team,” said Thomas Jefferson coach Ron Kelly, who is entering his 20th season at the helm. “This year’s team is strong on the outside and we serve well. We should gel and get better weekly. We have some good athletes so we will be there at the end of the year.”

Three-year starters Abby Chalovich, Tyler Turk and Tanner Patrick as well as two-year starters Natasha Yanief and Ashley Haines have graduated. Also missing from the team will be junior outside hitter Julia Palmer who tore her ACL and is out for the season.

“We will be very young but we have talent,” Kelly said. “The loss of Julia will hurt us but we have a great group of young players. This team will get better weekly and could surprise people at years’ end.”

TJ does have a couple of returning players who Kelly says will make an impact as well as serve as leaders for their youthful squad. 

Senior middle hitter Lillian Rockwell was a starter last year and will bring stability and great blocking ability to the lineup. Sophomore Cate Galioto played a lot as a freshman and will be the libero.

“Cate plays great defense and is a great server,” Kelly said.

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