Frazier’s Hartman nabs 300th win
By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
When talking about storied programs around the Mon Valley, it would be nonsensical to not include the Frazier volleyball program in that conversation.
Another program milestone happened Monday as head coach Mandy Hartman reached career win No. 300 with her team’s 3-0 sweep at Charleroi.
Game scores were 25-22, 25-19 and 25-18.
Jensyn Hartman led the way for the Commodores (2-2, 1-2) with 17 kills. Alexis Lovis finished with 12 assists and Makenna Stefancik (17) and Maddie Stefancik (12) combined for 29 points from the service line.
With the win, Hartman’s overall record moves to 300-86.
“I didn’t even realize I was near 300 wins,” Hartman said in disbelief and with a laugh. “Honestly, it’s the 86 losses that are a litte more upsetting to me. I truly had no idea I was near the milestone and I’m kind of taken aback. I feel like I started coaching yesterday, these years just flew by.”
Hartman said she should have known something was up when she looked into the stands inside Charleroi’s gymnasium.
“All I thought was how much they weren’t supposed to be there. But this is something important to them as well. I owe a lot to them,” she said. “But there’s still a part of me that still loves looking up in the stands and seeing my mom and dad. If I have a true assistant coach other than my husband, it’s my dad.”
While this year’s Commodore team may not be the consistent machine they have been over the past years, there’s no disputing the facts.
Hartman has led the team to 11 straight section titles and 13 overall. The team won the 2010 WPIAL championship and was the WPIAL runnerup in 2018.
A commitment to winning is something the Hartman family doesn’t take lightly, which makes the milestone even more special for Mandy Hartman.
Alongside her on the bench has been her husband, Don Hartman, and she’s watched her daughters grow up with and in the program.
Logan Hartman graduated in the spring and is now playing softball at Seton Hill University. Her daughter Jensyn is currently a sophomore for the Commodores.
The third daughter, Gracen, is in eighth grade this year.
“That’s what makes it much more special,” Mandy Hartman said. “When I started, I didn’t think I’d still be coaching this long. Then I was coaching Logan, now I’m coaching Jensyn. It’s always been a part of our family. We had play dates in the gym.
“I’ve been blessed with great players and awesome families that have become life-long friends. I’m thankful for all the special times.”
To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.
