How Freeport girls volleyball has reloaded for another shot at section, WPIAL hardware
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Freeport senior Ruby Furer takes part in a girls volleyball practice at Freeport Middle School on Monday. Furer is one of several upperclassmen who look to mesh with the team’s young talent as the Yellowjackets strive for a 20th straight section title. Robert McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Leah Schreckengost practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Leah Schreckengost practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Leah Schreckengost practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Leah Schreckengost practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Freeport head coach Tom Phillips guides the girls during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Freeport head coach Tom Phillips guides the girls during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Freeport Volleyball stock photo Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Alaina Whitlinger practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Ruby Furer practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Alaina Whitlinger practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Ruby Furer celebrates as her teammates successfully spike a ball during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Ruby Furer celebrates as her teammates successfully spike a ball during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Ruby Furer celebrates as her teammates successfully spike a ball during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Ruby Furer practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Alaina Whitlinger practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Ruby Furer practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Alaina Whitlinger practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Alaina Whitlinger practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Ruby Furer celebrates as her teammates successfully spike a ball during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Alaina Whitlinger practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Ruby Furer practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Ruby Furer practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Alaina Whitlinger practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Ruby Furer practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Alaina Whitlinger practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Ruby Furer practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Alaina Whitlinger practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Alaina Whitlinger low fives a teammate during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/24
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Ruby Furer practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
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Alaina Whitlinger practices different attacking and blocking techniques in during volleyball practice Monday at Freeport Middle School on August 19, 2024. Robert McGraw /Butler Eagle 08/20/2
Freeport High School’s girls volleyball program has become synonymous with success.
Over the last 19 seasons, the Yellowjackets have won a section title every year while claiming seven WPIAL championships and two state crowns in that span.
Despite losing much talent to graduation from last year’s 21-3 team and a bump from Class 2A to 3A, Freeport is hoping a mix of veteran leadership and young talent can keep it in contention for long runs in the district and state playoffs.
“We are a very young team. Three freshman could start for us, but this is not a rebuilding year,” Freeport coach Tom Phillips said. “We don’t want the expectations to be overwhelming for the younger kids, though every year, we hear girls say that they don’t want to be part of the team that doesn’t succeed, that lets that streak of section titles end.”
Pace setters on this year’s team include senior outside hitters Alaina Whitlinger and Leah Schreckengost, who combined for 17 kills per match in 2023.
“They’re two very experienced girls who are leaders,” Phillips said. “They both play for Revolution outside of high school and just competed at (U.S.A. Junior Nationals) in Las Vegas.”
Schreckengost is versatile, evidenced by her listing on Revolution’s roster as a libero and defensive specialist.
“We preach to the girls all the time that being able to play different positions is very important,” Phillips said. “If you can do that, you’ll always have a place on the court and it keeps opposing teams guessing.”
Other seniors include outside hitter Ruby Furer, defensive specialist Sylvia Cryzter and Ava Dreher, a serving specialist who can also play multiple positions.
“All of our current seniors had moments that contributed to our success last year,” Phillips said.
The three freshman who could find themselves in prominent roles at the start of the season are setter Caylee Zembrzuski and outside hitters Evie Tola and Emily Boylan.
“Our freshman class is very good. Some of them could turn out to be outstanding varsity players,” Phillips said. “We’ve told the older kids to embrace these young kids.”
Whitlinger is doing just that. She knows what encouragement from older and more experienced teammates means for a newcomer.
“I remember the seniors on the team when I was a freshman,” she said. “They welcomed me with open arms and helped me so much that season.
“This year’s freshmen have so much potential, it’s crazy.”
Zembrzuski may be new to the varsity scene, but already has gained valuable chemistry with Freeport’s big hitters.
“At first, it was on and off, but we’ve been working hard in practice to get that setter-hitter connection,” Schreckengost said. “We’ve connected well.
“I am really excited to see what this team can do. The freshmen are working hard and competing for spots, and the upperclassmen have valuable experience.”
Others who will have a large say in the level of success Freeport meets with this season are junior libero Peyton Cene and sophomore middle hitter Jayme Radvan.
The switch to Class 3A is not unprecedented for the ‘Jackets. They made the same move for the 2020 and 2021 campaigns and went 23-4, won a district title and reached the state semifinals in the latter.
Last year, Freeport reached the WPIAL Class 2A championship match before falling to Beaver. The team’s season begins at home Monday against Corry from District 10.
“We’re not sitting on our hands,” Phillips said. “These girls worked very hard in the offseason. As the head coach, it’s my job to blend the talents of our leaders and younger players and that will determine how far we go.”
