Vereb emulating father’s winning ways as CV girls coach
If Cullen Vereb’s coaching style seems familiar, that’s because it is. The first-year Chartiers Valley girls volleyball coach has learned from one of the best in the business.
Vereb’s father, Pat, is one of the winningest coaches in the WPIAL. As the Peters Township girls soccer coach, Pat has accumulated more than 400 career victories. His 26-year career has spanned three school districts – starting at Keystone Oaks, a stop at Mt. Lebanon and a stint since 2007 at the helm with the Lady Indians. While at Peters Township, he has coached three PIAA and three WPIAL championship clubs, including last year’s Class 4A winner.
“I look up to my father. He’s my best friend,” Vereb said. “I try to mirror my coaching style to his because he has had so much success over the years. It’s funny because he thinks I coach the same way he coached when he was 26 years old.”
Vereb continues to learn from his dad. In fact, he still serves as his assistant coach while also directing the Lady Colts.
“I still help as much as I can,” Vereb said. “I loved coaching at Peters with him so I didn’t want to stop even though my priority would be volleyball now. I come to games and practices when I can. I shouldn’t miss many games. He should be able to come to mine as well which is cool.”
Fascinating has been Vereb’s climb from player to coach.
A Seton-LaSalle graduate, Vereb played volleyball, soccer and football in high school. Before the COVID pandemic occurred, he played volleyball in college at Mount Union for two years. Vereb finished his education at Pitt, earning a master’s degree in computer science.
Vereb, who currently serves as an administrative assistant with the Century United Soccer Club, embarked on his coaching career as an assistant boys volleyball coach at his high school alma mater. Before taking the position at CV, Vereb served two seasons as head coach of the Peters Township boys volleyball team from 2023-24.
Vereb is off to a fast start at CV as the Lady Colts have posted 3-0 shutouts in their first three bouts. They have dispatched Brentwood, Blackhawk and Quaker Valley. They also defeated West Allegheny, 3-1, in Ssection 1, Class 3A action on Sept. 2.
The Lady Colts plan to challenge Oakland Catholic, Montour and South Fayette for the section banner. They visit South Fayette and Oakland Catholic this week on Sept. 9 and 11.
“My goal is to win the section and make a deep run in the playoffs,” Vereb said. “We have the talent to do it. We just need to limit mistakes and have the mentality that every game is going to be a battle.”
The Lady Colts return five starters from last year’s squad. Sophomore outside hitter Payton Friburger and junior outside hitter Tessa Zemaitis are “expected to be the focal points” of the offense while Sophia Russell adapts to being the team’s setter. Vereb approached the senior to try the position at his first open gym.
“She’s picked it up fast,” Vereb said. “I expect her to be the quarterback of the team.”
Bella Fries is the team’s “leader” on the defensive side. The junior is CV’s libero.
A defensive specialist, Megan Dumpman has transitioned too. The junior veteran is now an outside hitter.
“She is getting the chance to hit this season,” Vereb said. “We expect her to be a big part of the offensive and defensive side.”
Filling key vacancies for the Lady Colts are: freshman middle hitter Brea Sadowyj and junior middle hitter Ava Sobkowiak.
“Since we graduated our two middles from last year, Ava and Brea have taken that responsibility head on,” Vereb said.
He added that Sadowyj has a chance to be one of the better freshmen in the area.
Juniors Alivia Silberman and Mckenzie Pruss as well as sophomore Alexa Opalanka are defensive specialists. All three, Vereb said, should play key roles on the defensive and serve-receive aspect of the game.
“Our biggest strength is serving and defense right now,” Vereb said. “We can serve teams out of the gym and play fantastic defense behind it.
“We need to improve setter chemistry with the hitters. Sophia is doing a great job with that it just needs a little bit more time to find timing with the hitters. But I fully believe we will be a complete team sooner rather than later.”