Class AA Girls Team Preview - PIAA State Championships
Last year saw two teams pull away from the pack for the title in AA girls. Ultimately, South Fayette won the state crown by 15 over Northern. Both South Fayette and Northern, however, have moved to AAA for this season.
The team that was third a year ago -- Warrior Run -- will look to seize the day and move to the top AA team spot this time around. And they are a deep and strong team that will be tough for anyone to take down on Saturday. Led by Trapani, Warrior Run has really been building up to this weekend for the last four years with a senior-heavy team. After the lowstick in Trapani, Hoffman is a good bet for a high finish. Sage Dunkleberger, Alanna Ranck, and Sienna Dunkleberger are a terrific 3-4-5 that should also produce relatively low scores.
Warrior Run's true strength was exhibited at the District 4 Championships, where WR put just 26 points on the board against what is easily the state's best AA girls district. Danville, Selinsgrove, Lewisburg, and Shikellamy are all really strong teams that did not qualify for states because just one state spot has been allotted for every team in each district.
Central Cambria, fourth last year, didn't lose anyone from last year's team and may be the team with the best shot to give Warrior Run a run for the title. Behind a solid top two in Kuntz and Annaliese Niebauer, Central Cambria made it out of a tough District 6, beating a strong Westmont Hilltop team by seven for the lone state-qualifying spot. CC is always a team to watch out for at Hershey and this year is no different.
The District 2 champions from Holy Redeemer were tenth last year, but bring back some good talent that will make them a factor for a high finish. Villa Maria is back at the state meet this year after running to the District 10 title. This team, which won three straight AA state titles between 2014 and 2016, is never a team to sleep on.
North Catholic, the District 7 (WPIAL) champions, were ninth in Class A last season, but they have moved to AA for this season and added a good amount of firepower. NC won a tough district by ten over a good Montour squad and looks ready for a shot at a high finish this week.
Berks Catholic is having a terrific season this fall, winning the District 3 title by just two points over Wyomissing to get the berth to Hershey. The Saints have some good momentum coming into states. District 9 champs Saint Marys Area were eighth last year and have a number of girls with state meet experience that will be crucial for them on Saturday.
Warrior Run looks to be the favorite, but there are plenty of teams in what has been a weird 2020, that will go for the surprise in Chocolate World.