Women's Volleyball at Pitt Greensburg

         (Photo By: S. Katzman)                

 2006 Season Preview

Talented Group Returns to Lead UPG Volleyball

Two problems have plagued the Pitt-Greensburg volleyball team throughout Head Coach Leroy Simms’s three-year career, height and experience.  As he begins his fourth season at the helm, Simms seems to have corrected the experience problem, as he returns six key players from last years’ team.

“This will definitely be one of the most experienced teams I have coached at UPG, we return six of our top players, and get another back from injury.  Hopefully our veterans will lead us to a successful season,” commented Coach Simms.

Indeed, this is Coach Simms most experienced team.  Despite not having a single senior on the roster, the lineup will be full of players who appeared in every game last season and have gained a great deal of maturity as the begin this season. 

Leading the way this year will be two-time all-conference selection Breanne Bell (Marianna, PA/Bethlehem Center).  Bell, a junior, has been a two-year starter at outside hitter for the Bobcats and has led the team in kills in each of the past two seasons.  She will be counted on this year to be the team’s top player, as well as the leader. 

“Bre has been our go-to player in each of her first two seasons, and I look for her to contribute just as much, if not more, this season,” added Coach Simms.

The sophomore class will be the key for the Bobcats this season.  This group contains five players who all played significant time last year and have improved dramatically heading into their second seasons.   

Headlining this class is setter Leslie Long (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg-Salem) and middle hitter Ashley Mattiko (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin).  Both appeared in over 100 games a year ago and made outstanding contributions.  Long was the team leader in assists, while finishing third in kills.  Mattiko ranked second on the team in kills and blocks.  Both will be expected to bring even more to the table this season.

“I am happy with both Leslie and Ashley. They seem to have really improved and I expect them both to step-up and play solid all season long,” Coach Simms remarked.

Jen Hantz (Latrobe, PA/Greater Latrobe), Amanda Brant (Johnstown, PA/Richland), and Lindsay Arenth (Pittsburgh, PA/Plum) all return as well this season.  Hantz is a very versatile player who can play front or back row, and was a key component of the team last year, playing in all 110 games. Brant, was the team’s defensive specialist last season and she excelled.  She appeared in every game and led the team in digs. Arenth, an outside hitter, also appeared in over 100 games, and will be play a valuable role in her second season. 

Perhaps the best news for Coach Simms this year is the return of Bethany Woods (Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin) from injury.  Woods was expected to be a big part of the team as a freshman last season, but missed the entire year due to a back injury.  Now healthy, Woods is ready to assume her role on the team and will play both setter and defensive specialist. 

“The return of Beth Woods makes us a much better team.  She will improve what is an already solid defense,” added Coach Simms.

The team has also added four new freshmen to the team.  Defensive specialist Lori Caldwell (Clairton, PA/Serra Catholic), middle hitter Alyson Kohler (Fayetteville, PA/Chambersburg), setter Kayla Shirley (Blairsville, PA/Blairsville), and defensive specialist Ashley Smith (Carnegie, PA/Carlynton) will join the Bobcats this year and will all look to provide an immediate impact.

“I really like what I see from the freshmen class. Alyson Kohler looks like she will contribute right away as a middle hitter and she has performed well in the preseason.  From what I have seen, it looks like everyone can bring something to the team this year,” said Coach Simms.

Although the Bobcats still lack height on the outside, they will be tough to beat in 2006.  They will man an outstanding defense and a scrappy attitude, and with a team full of experienced players, the sky is the limit this season. 

“We expect to advance to the conference tournament for the third straight season, and we hope to get over the .500 mark for the first time in program history.  I really think that this is the year we can make a statement in the conference,” remarked Coach Simms. 

The Bobcats open play on Wednesday, September 6, when they travel to Chatham College. 

HEAD COACH - LEROY SIMMS

The 2006 season will be the fourth for Leroy Simms as the Head Coach of the Pitt-Greensburg Lady Bobcats. In 2005, Simms helped lead the Bobcats to their second consecutive AMCC Tournament berth, becoming the first volleyball coach in school history to do so.

“We are trying to attract high quality student-athletes and continue our ascension to the top of the conference,” Simms stated.

Prior to UPG, Simms spent the 2002 season as an assistant coach at Waynesburg College, where he helped the team to a 24-11 record.  Simms also served as Head Coach at Waynesburg Central High School for three seasons, leading his team to the WPIAL Class AA playoffs and setting a school record for victories in a season during the 2000 campaign.

 Simms holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Waynesburg College, as well as a Master’s Degree from California University of                                     Pennsylvania. He is currently a teacher in the Bentworth School District.

ASSISTANT COACH - DANA LEVIERE

Dana LeViere will begin her first year as Assistant Coach during the 2006 season.

LeViere is a 2001 graduate of Bethany College (WV) where she was a four-year player on the women's softball team.  She helped lead the Bison to the 2000 NCAA Tournament and the 2001 NCAA Regional Tournament.  She garnered numerous athletic awards while at Bethany, including selections to the Presidents' Athletic Conference All-Star teams, and in 2000 she was named to the NCAA Tournament All-Tournament Team.  She was known for her versatility, as she played numerous different positions throughout her career with the Bison. 

She also played four years of varsity volleyball while attending North Hills High School in Pittsburgh, PA.

Upon graduation, LeViere served as Bethany's pitching coach for two seasons.  She also spent five seasons coaching the Pittsburgh Spirit, a local summer traveling team.  Last season, LeViere was the head coach at Northgate High School. 

LeViere earned a degree in physical education at Bethany College.  She is employed full-time at Pitt-Greensburg, also serving as the Head Softball Coach and the Senior Woman's Administrator.