Former Clarion Area Standout, Kyara Girvan, PSU DuBois Volleyball Teammates And Coaches To Compete In USCAA National Volleyball Tournament
(Above photo from PSU DuBois website) Front (L-R): Paige Pleta (Twinsburg, Ohio), Kyara Girvan (Clarion), Skylar Ceprish, (West Branch) Jordan Bundy (Ridgway), Cate Gregory (Dubois). Back (L-R): Montana Hetrick (Redbank), Megan Baumcratz (North Clarion), Nicolette Brossard (Clearfield), Sydney Kaschalk (Dubois), Kierra Keck (Port Allegheny), Erin Maloney (Dubois Central Catholic)
Kyara (KK) Girvan, a 2020 Clarion Area High School graduate and two time Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association All-Stater, for Coach Shari Campbell’s Bobcats is going to have the experience of a lifetime, with her Penn State DuBois Volleyball teammates and coaches, with the Nittany Lions being selected to play in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) 2021 Division II Women’s National Volleyball Championship Tournament.
The Volleyball Tournament which will be held at the Virginia Beach Field House, this Thursday through Saturday (November 11th – 13th), is part of the USCAA’s Fall Championship Week, which runs this Wednesday through next Monday (November 10th – 15th), with Championships being decided in three sports, Womens’ (Division I and II) Volleyball, Mens’ and Womens’ Soccer (Division I and II), at Princess Anne Athletic Complex; and Mens’ and Womens’ Cross Country, at the Military Aviation Museum Course.
The Nittany Lions learned of the bid last Thursday (November 4th), as they were gathered to watch the 2021 USCAA Division II National Championship Selection Show. A link to the show, as well as links to the brackets and the team’s reaction are at the bottom of this article. PSU DuBois’ selection is at slightly past the five minute mark on the selection show video.
This is the second year in team history that the Nittany Lions have made the tournament, having also participated in 2018.
Penn State DuBois is the number 5 seed in the tournament. In addition the field includes: number 1 seed, University of Cincinnati Clermont; number 2 seed, PSU Greater Allegheny from McKeesport; number 3 seed, PSU Mont Alto; Number 4 seed, Paul Smith’s College from Paul Smiths, New York (in the Adirondacks); and number 6 seed, Kings College from the New York City. So three of the six teams, in this year’s tournament are members of the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC).
The Nittany Lions will open Pool Play against University of Cincinatti Clermont on Thursday and continue Pool Play on Friday against Paul Smith’s College. Finals Bracket play will begin Friday.
Here is an excerpt from the PSU DuBois website. “DuBois has the country’s leader in assists in Catherine Gregory, and the PSUAC West Rookie of the Year and 2nd in the country in kills with Sydney Kaschalk. DuBois also has hard hitters Skylar Ceprish, who was on the National Tournament team from 2018, Kiyara Girvan, and Nicolette Brossard to try to bring home a National Championship.”
Kyara, a 5’4″ sophomore Outside Hitter/Libero has posted some solid numbers for Coach Dave Alberts’ 16-6 Nittany Lions, including: 191 points (42 aces), 136 kills,183 digs, 19 blocks and 6 assists.
Kyara had this to say, “To find out we were going to nationals was probably one of the best feelings in the world. I tell you the anxiety was extremely high, waiting for them to announce our name and then the amount of bliss, when they said Penn State Dubois as the 5th pick. The entire room erupted. We were so happy and excited. We were hugging and Dave, our coach was running around the room in excitement to represent PSUD in nationals, as well as knowing this is only the second time in PSUD history for the volleyball program to go to nationals.
“And to us, that is a big deal. The girls and coaches and I couldn’t be more excited about being granted this opportunity and we can’t wait to see where this journey will take us.
“The feeling of going to nationals is almost indescribable to me and I wouldn’t change that for a world and I am very lucky to be a part of this team and get to go on this incredible journey with them.”
Kyara is joined on the Nittany Lions by another player from the area, freshman Outside Hitter Montana Hetrick a 2021 Redbank Valley graduate, who was also a PVCA All-State player in high school, as well as several others from schools around District Nine.
Montana shared, “Being selected to go to nationals was amazing. Hands down one of the best feelings ever.
“The waiting was intense. It all came down to the 5th pick. “Penn State Dubois!” The entire room was full of all kinds of emotions and excitement. I think the best part was watching coach Dave go crazy and run around the room.
“The is the second time in history that the volleyball team got selected to go to nationals, so this is really exciting for all the coaches, as well as the girls.
“I am very excited to be giving this opportunity, because this would be the farthest I have ever gotten to go with my volleyball career.
“I am so beyond blessed and thankful to be a part of a team with such amazing girls and coaches. I am so proud of this family!”
Coach Alberts shared this about the Nittany Lions excitement on this great opportunity, “This is the second time we’ve been selected to the USCAA National Championships and it feels just as exciting as the first! We can’t wait to get out to Virginia and compete.
“We knew the first round of the PSUAC playoffs would be a tough match. We were ranked #3 in the USCAA and Greater Allegheny was ranked #4. So one top team would be eliminated immediately. Greater Allegheny is a team we had beaten twice during the season in close matches and we knew it would be a close.
“We fell just short losing in five sets as Greater Allegheny would go on to win the PSUAC championship.
“None of us wanted the season to end as we all knew we had a strong team and still had a lot of fight left in us. We will take full advantage of this opportunity and head to the National Championships ready to battle.”
Congratulations to Kyara, Montana, Coach Alberts and the entire PSU DuBois Volleyball Team!!!! Have a great National Tournament!!!!
2021 USCAA DII Volleyball National Championship Selection Show – YouTube