Underdog Western Wayne volleyball team advances to district final
With record-setting senior middle hitter Olivia Haines leading the charge, the Wildcats are just one win away from the 2026 Class AAA championship.
Varden — Western Wayne’s girls volleyball team has captured the spotlight with an astounding surge in the 2026 fall sports season. Despite a dismal 3-11 record in the Lackawanna League, the Wildcats have clawed their way to prominence, beating two higher-ranked opponents en route to a berth in the Class AAA finals. Head coach Darren Thorpe lauds the team’s tenacity, noting that they performed their best volleyball when it counted the most.
The championship matchup against top-ranked Holy Redeemer is set for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Scranton High School. Veteran leadership has been pivotal in Western Wayne’s resurgence. With a host of experienced players, the Wildcats have shown remarkable growth since their season-opening four losses. Middle blocker Olivia Haines, a track and field athlete who joined volleyball as a sophomore, is the team’s defensive linchpin.
She leads the school in career blocks (162) and holds the single-season mark (81). Haines is also a top offensive contributor, leading the team with 221 kills and 53 aces. Setter Abbie Washine, with 392 sets, fuels the attack. Adysen Wargo excels in digs (201) and receptions (484). Holy Redeemer, Western Wayne’s opponent in the finals, currently holds a flawless 14-5 season record.
Despite their loss to Western Wayne in a non-league game earlier in the season, the Royals remain formidable. Haines, the Wildcats’ captain, believes her team possesses the grit and chemistry to pull off an upset. Coach Thorpe is optimistic and ready for the challenge, stating that anything can happen once the championship match begins.
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