Phoenix volleyball in replenish mode, bolstered by new gym

LOGANTON, PA – The Sugar Valley Rural Charter School volleyball team now has a home gym and a lot of home competitions for the upcoming season. The Phoenix don’t have is a lot of experience, graduation claiming virtually the entire squad from a year ago with just one varsity player returning.

But the numbers are good, 18 girls out this year from grades nine through 12; these include eight players from last season’s jayvee team.

The school’s new gym opened for play midway through last season and head coach J-T Bitner says having the facility up and running in the off-season has been a plus for the program. “The new gymnasium is great and has allowed for more open gyms in the off-season.  It is also giving our new team a chance to finally practice serving on a full volleyball court.  The gym should allow for our court awareness and coverage to be greatly improved.”

With the departure of so many seniors from last year’s squad, Bitner said this year’s goal is to use this year to gain experience with the hope to make it to districts as the team did in the last two years.

Bitner said there is no Mid-Penn volleyball league, but the Phoenix schedule should prove to be challenging.  He said the new gym brings some positives: “We have been able to gain more matches with the home gym going from 12 to 19 competitions.  This also means that we will have the chance for our community to support us at games.”

Sugar Valley has a scrimmage scheduled at Juniata Valley for this Thursday and is scheduled to start the regular season Thursday, Sept. 1 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy. Home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 6 with East Juniata.