Beaver ends Mars’ WPIAL girls volleyball title defense in semifinas, but shot at states still remains
WEXFORD — Mars was attacking and winning at the net, with Rylee Wooldridge and Cecilia Christy putting Beaver on its heels.
That was in the second set of Tuesday’s WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal. While Mars’ offense had its moments the rest of the match, it was unable to be consistent enough to take down the second-seeded Bobcats at North Allegheny High School.
The No. 3 Planets’ reign as district champions officially ended with a loss by scores of 18-25, 27-25, 16-25, 21-25.
Wooldridge finished the night with a team-leading 20 kills, and Christy added 11.
“Seventy-five percent of our offense was going through two players,” Mars coach Tami Caraway said. “Beaver knew that, and they set their blockers up to counter it.
“We’ve been dealing with some injuries and had a freshman, Alyssa Genis, playing at the net. It’s tough for a freshman in a big game like this, and I give her credit for putting some good swings on the ball.”
Caraway said her team needed to “serve smart and play well defensively.”
That’s difficult to do against a balanced offense like the one Beaver (20-1) possesses.
The Bobcats were led by senior Kailyn Connelly’s 20 kills, but Jaedyn Brown, Anna Vinopal and Alaina Malobabich combined for 26 more.
“Everybody knows about Kailyn, but we have a lot of good hitters this year,” Beaver coach Susan Pollins said. “Teams usually try to (double team) her, so we try to move the ball around to open things up for our other players.”
Connelly tallied seven kills in the opening set, but Wooldridge dominated the second with nine kills.
Gabi Weidemann contributed 30 assists and three blocks for Mars.
Last year, Mars won the second district title in program history by topping Beaver 3-1. The Bobcats will make their third straight appearance in the WPIAL final when they face top-seeded Oakland Catholic on Saturday at Peters Township High School.
Mars (16-5) can still reach the state playoffs if it defeats Hampton in the WPIAL consolation game, scheduled Thursday at a time and site to be determined. The Planets made the state final last year for the first time.
“We are not done,” Caraway said. “Hopefully, we’ll be back here in 10 days (state quarterfinals) and can get another shot at them.”
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Mars' Rylee Wooldridge serves against Beaver in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
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Mars' Alaina Graham tries to save the ball in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game against Beaver on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
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Mars wins a point in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Butler Eagle
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Mars coach Tamara Caraway gives instructions in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game against Beaver Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
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Mars players celebrate a point against Beaver in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
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Mars wins a point against Beaver in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
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Mars' Cecilia Christy goes for a kill against Beaver in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
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Mars' Rylee Wooldridge goes for an attack against Beaver in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
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Mars players celebrate after a point against Beaver in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
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Mars' Alaina Graham sets the ball in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game against Beaver on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
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Mars' Natalie Janusz attacks against Beaver in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
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Mars' Alyssa Genis gets a shot past Beaver's blockers in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Allegheny High School. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
