Former Buckskins’ standout set to take over girls’ program
One of the most decorated girls’ volleyball programs in the Lancaster-Lebanon League is set to hire a new coach.
And she also just happens to be one of the most decorated players in the history of the L-L League – and she’s set to return to her alma mater.
Former Conestoga Valley standout Amber Thomas, the two-time reigning NCAA American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year for Juniata College, will be CV’s next girls’ volleyball coach – pending school board approval.
Thomas, who played outside hitter in college, was a four-time Division III All-American for Juniata, and she was the Landmark Conference Player of the Year in her junior and senior seasons in college.
She was also presented the Charles Bargerstock Award by Juniata for her contributions as a senior female athlete. Thomas was also named the ESPN the Magazine College Women’s Volleyball Academic All-American of the Year, and she was a First-Team Academic All-American as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America – both in her senior year.
Thomas would replace CV grad Craig Esbenshade, who took over for one season after longtime coach Al Kofroth left the program after 17 years on the bench.
Under Kofroth, CV won the state championship in 2003, captured seven L-L League titles in a row from 1995-2001, and won District 3 crowns in 1998, 2000 and 2001. The Buckskins also won 148 L-L League Section 2 matches in a row from 1993 to 2006.
Thomas was a two-time All-State selection and she was the L-L League Section 2 Player of the Year in her junior and senior seasons while playing for CV.
Her next gig will be coaching the Bucks.
PACKAGE DEAL – Saw a note while I was on vacation that Pequea Valley standout Matt Schatzmann will continue his basketball career at Alvernia.
Turns out Alvernia got a pair of Braves’ standouts in this year’s recruiting haul.
Kyle Neff, who played last season with a torn ACL in his right knee, but still helped the Braves reach the District 3 Double-A championship game for the first time in school history, will also play hoops for Alvernia, a Division III program in Reading.
While Schatzmann paced the L-L League in scoring while showing off his sharp-shooting skills, Neff was a grinder and multi-purpose player who helped Pequea Valley make it to the district finale last winter.
Neff’s buzzer-beater helped the Braves knock off Reading Holy Name in the district semifinals.
Pequea Valley fell to Trinity in the district finals before dropping a 48-41 decision to Prep Charter in States.
Neff scored 11 points in the L-L League All-Star Game and, like Schatzmann, played in the Roundball Classic after the season.
Alvernia went 6-10 in the MAC Freedom Conference and 10-15 overall last season. But the Crusaders are a perennial postseason program.
Next season, they’ll have a pair of Pequea Valley alums to help them get back to the playoffs.
CLARION-BOUND – Recent Solanco grad Jeremy Trimble, an L-L League Section 2 Second-Team All-Star pick at defensive back for the Golden Mules last fall, will continue his football career at Division II Clarion.
Trimble had a standout senior season for Solanco last fall, registering 35 solo tackles and assisting on 18 more for 53 total tackles. His 6.6 tackles per game were second-best on the team, and he also led the team with three picks and he also defended five passes and pounced on two fumbles as Solanco challenged for a postseason spot right up until Week 10.
Clarion, which competes in the PSAC West, finished 3-8 overall last season.
