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Montoursville Area SD work session: board set to consider elevating volleyball to PIAA sport in 2025–26
Summary
Board members heard a presentation from Coach Tom and were told the district could add girls' volleyball as a PIAA sport in 2025–26; the coach reported strong community interest, junior‑high feeder plans and equipment needs and said a formal recommendation will come to the March 11 board meeting.
Montoursville Area School District board members heard a detailed presentation at their Feb. 25 work session about elevating girls' volleyball from a club to a PIAA high‑school sport beginning in the 2025–26 school year.
Coach Tom, invited to the podium by a board member, told the board the program has grown rapidly in the community and reported that related programs and travel clubs currently involve "about 65 to 70 kids" across age groups. He said the district has been running volleyball as a club and that the intent has long been to make it a sanctioned high‑school sport once logistics and scheduling were in place. "We have some real excitement that has brewed in the community," the coach said, noting junior‑high programs will feed the varsity and junior‑varsity squads.
Board members asked how participation and scheduling would work. Coach Tom said junior‑high players cannot be rostered on a high‑school varsity team until ninth grade but emphasized the importance of a junior‑high program to sustain high‑school rosters. He described equipment needs — including more volleyballs appropriate for high‑school play — and praised the district's carbon‑fiber poles, which he said are easier for students and staff to manage than older steel equipment.
The coach and board discussed the possibility of hosting a season‑opening tournament if the sport is approved; he said several area schools run junior‑high club programs and that the district could likely find scheduling partners. A board member said the coach's formal recommendation will be presented at the March 11 meeting with a staff recommendation to follow.
If the board approves the proposal, the district will need to finalize scheduling, purchase additional practice balls and complete required PIAA paperwork. The coach asked the board to include the program in upcoming budget planning so the staff can prepare schedules and equipment purchases in time for the 2025–26 season.
The board did not vote on the proposal at the Feb. 25 work session; the coach will bring a recommendation to the March meeting and the board will take action at that time.
