Five named Player of the Week in volleyball

Five area athletes earned Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association accolades for Week 5 of the season.
Bethel Park’s Sophie Puzausky and Upper St. Clair’s Alex Culp shared Class 4A Player of the Week honors with Shaler’s Sierra Ricci and Penn-Trafford’s Cailin Stukus.
A junior opposite hitter, Puzausky vaulted the Black Hawks to the No. 7 spot in the organization’s rankings.
A junior outside hitter, Culp has the Panthers ranked No. 9.
Shaler and North Allegheny hold down the top spots at Nos. 1 and 2 respectively.
South Fayette’s Rachel Czaplicki earned the Player of the Week distinction in Class 3A with Hampton’s Claudia Braun, Thomas Jefferson’s Cate Galliato and Beaver’s Chloe List.
A senior middle hitter, Czaplicki has the Lions ranked No. 3 behind Hampton and TJ.
In 2A, Seton LaSalle’s Keira Sipe gained Player of the Week recognition while Olivia Thomas took the honor in Class A.
A senior outside hitter, Sipe has guided the Rebels to a fifth-place rating behind No. 1 North Catholic, Avonworth, Laurel and South Park.
A senior middle hitter, Thomas excels at Bishop Canevin, which has won the past four WPIAL titles. The Crusaders are this year’s No. 1 Class A squad.