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Dec 27, 2024 By Rob Burchianti 5 min read

Gracen Hartman was one of two local players to earn all-state volleyball honors a year ago.

She was named to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association All-State Team again this year with one major difference.

The Lady Commodores senior had plenty of company this time.

Hartman and teammates Grace Vaughn, Maddie Salisbury and Addison Schultz were each named to the team this year along with Brownsville’s Skyler Gates and Waynesburg Central’s Bailey Rafferty.

“It’s quite an honor to have four players recognized on the All-State Team which is a first for us in one season,” said Frazier coach Mandy Hartman, who is Gracen’s mother. “I think it’s indicative of how well this team performed this year. All four of these girls played a major part in our success.”

Frazier won the Section 4-A title, reached the WPIAL final and advanced to the PIAA semifinals this past season.

Hartman, a 5-foot-9 senior setter/outside hitter, and Rafferty, a 5-6 senior setter, were two of the best setters in the state. Hartman was a four-year starter and Rafferty was a three-year starter who played three years at Mapletown and recorded over 1,000 assists for the Lady Maples before transferring to Waynesburg.

Vaughn, a 5-11 senior outside hitter, Salisbury, a 6-0 junior rightside hitter, and Schultz, a 5-11 junior middle hitter, were named to the all-state team for the first time as were Gates, a 6-4 junior middle hitter, and Rafferty, who played a key role in the Lady Raiders completing an undefeated regular season and winning the Section 3-AA championship.

“Bailey is extremely dedicated to her sport,” Waynesburg coach Dan Higinbotham said. “She was one of the most respected captains by her teammates compared to all the years I have coached. She was a great captain and leader on and off the court.

“Bailey is a very polite, kind, humble athlete that definitely helped our team reach 17-0 this year.”

Rafferty and Gates were quite familiar with each other on the court, according to Brownsville coach Rachel Salvucci.

“Skyler and Bailey played on the same club together,” Salvucci pointed out. “Bailey was Skyler’s setter on her Rise team in Morgantown.”

Salvucci was pleased to see Gates, who has verbally committed to play at the University of Virginia, receive recognition for her efforts.

“There have been Brownsville players that have achieved all state before but it’s been awhile. It’s really inspiring to see Skyler and all she’s accomplished in her high school career so far get this honor,” said Salvucci who guided the Lady Falcons into the playoffs this season.

Gates rang up 330 kills during her junior year to give her 860 for her career. She also recorded 122 blocks, 57 aces and over 130 digs.

“Skyler has such a presence on the court, our team relies on her not just for her athletic ability but her leadership,” Salvucci said.

While Gates is notorious for his exploits at the net, Salvucci pointed out that she has expanded her role..

“She played in the back row this year for the first time and that’s helped her all-around game,” Salvucci said. “She played middle back and she was still pretty prevalent in the back row. She’s developing those passing skills and her serve. She actually had the most aces on our team this year.”

Salvucci praised Gates’ athleticism.

“Skyler’s a lot faster than she looks, Salvucci said. “She covers the back, she reaches the ball side to side and she’ll make a pass on a ball that a lot of other girls wouldn’t even be able to get to. Skyler will always be there to get the ball if someone else isn’t. She made some pretty incredible saves this year where she’s come out of nowhere

“Her teammates not only look up to her in the front row but in the back row, too, and trust her to make the play.”

Frazier’s four all-state members were also on the Lady Commodores’ WPIAL championship team of 2022.

“Our seniors, Gracen and Grace, were true leaders,” Mandy Hartman said. “Grace led our offense and brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. She had the best season of her career and played like a true competitor. I can’t wait to see her utilize those skills at the next level at Eastern Tennessee University with their softball program.”

Hartman will have two all-state players back on her team next year.

“I feel Maddy Salisbury made the greatest strides from start to finish and I think she’s only going to continue to get better as her career progresses,” Hartman said. “She was a force at the net both offensively and defensively.

“Addison Schultz is clearly one of the best hitters in the state. She reads the court extremely well. She’s versatile in her offense and we’re certainly glad to have her back for another season.”