Published Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1997
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Kisha Pegues, a Farrell Steelerettes senior, takes part in a drill called "leap frog," which is done at the beginning of every practice. (Jean Angelo/Herald)
TEAM OF THE MONTH: Farrell Steelerettes
Magic numbers for the Steelerettes: 6 and 400
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer
Twenty-four years ago, Harriett Morrison took over the Farrell High girls volleyball program. They were 2-6 that first year of 1973-74. It was Morrison's only losing season.
The following year the Steelerettes went 8-2, then 9-3, then 11-1. Since 1975, Farrell has lost more than three games in a season only twice. In the process, the Steelerettes have won five state titles ('82, '87, '89, '93 and '94), 14 WPIAL championships, 12 Midwestern Athletic Conference titles and 19 section championships.
Farrell is once again on the path to another great season, just wrapping up its sixth straight MAC title last Saturday, topping a 22-team field. The Steelerettes swept Ambridge in the finals, 15-5, 15-10, after doing the same to Moon Township in the semis, 15-7, 15-10.
It concluded a stellar month of volleyball for a team which went 6-0, won two tournaments and finished as runners-up in another. That is why Farrell is The Herald's Female Team of the Month.
In the process, the Steelerettes have put Morrison on the verge of an incredible 400th career win. She now sits on 397 and should hit 400 against Rochester Oct. 7.
Gina Falvo, a Farrell Steelerettes senior, practices a tip and roll excer (Jean Angelo/Herald) |
Morrison has once again cultivated a crew worthy of its predecessors. Senior captains Kisha Pegues and Lucretia Samuels lead the team on the court and have helped the likes of Sharanda Stinson, Nicole Scott, Gina Falvo and Dorothy Smith turn in impressive numbers throughout the year.
``Lucretia is a great role-model,'' Morrison said. ``She plays the same in practice as she does in the game. She's from the tradition of working hard constantly. Kisha's the same way.
``Nicole Scott has dominated as far as a hitter is concerned. You can't run a team without setters, and Sharanda and Dorothy have done a great job. We're getting better in all aspects of the game.''
In their first invitational of the season at Mount Lebanon, Farrell won the 10-team event. The Steelerettes swept the hosts in the finals, 15-8, 16-14, after edging Greensburg-Salem, 16-14, 11-15, 15-12 in the semis. Stinson led the way with 15-kill, 60-assist, 24-dig, 8-block, 30-point performance.
At the recent North Allegheny tournament, the Steelerettes finished as runners-up in the high-powered, 9-team event. They were 12-2 before bowing out to Mount Lebanon, 8-15, 5-15 in the finals. Teams there included Ambridge, Meadville, Johnstown-Richland and a pair of New York schools. Scott led the way with 57 kills, 31 points, 49 digs, 12 blocks.
``I'm happy with that, and am pleased with our performances as far as the tournaments we've participated in,'' Morrison said.
Even with the fine play in the tournaments, WPIAL match results are what really matter. And just to show Farrell's dominance, in a recent match against Rochester, the Steelerettes gave up just one point _ 15-0, 15-0, 15-1. Falvo served out the entire first game and finished with 26 points.
Despite being a ``marked'' team in the league, Farrell has been bullet-proof.
``It seems like in section alone, when teams score seven, eight or nine points, the teams feel good,'' Morrison said. ``If they score a few points, they feel they've accomplished a lot. When you have won WPIALs as often as we have, you always feel targeted.''
Something the Steelerettes are taking aim on is another state title, which Farrell hasn't won since going back-to-back in '93-94.
``At the beginning of season, each girl is given a journal to write their team goals and personal goals in,'' Morrison said. ``They put down that their goal was to make a trip to the state championships and win, if at all possible. I think the seniors and juniors are really focused on what they want to do. They know who they have to beat to make that step. We prepare every day for the next team and don't look ahead.''
Fans of the Farrell program can't help but look ahead to what is seemingly an annual trip to the state championships. But even with all of the success so far, Morrison knows there is a long way to go.
``We want to be the best we can be,'' Morrison said. ``We still have some growing to do. I don't really want to peak, yet. I'm glad we still have some improvement to make.''
