Wendy Zuber has been doing a lot of driving during the past six weeks.

She currently resides in North Versailles, teaches in the Mc-Keesport Area School District and coaches the girls' volleyball team at West Allegheny High School.

"It's a demanding schedule that requires me to be on the road more than an hour every day," said Zuber. "But it's been a lot of fun."

Zuber has the task of replacing Curt Russell, who accepted an assistant coaching position at Robert Morris University. Russell led West Allegheny to its first PIAA title and first appearance in the WPIAL finals last season.

"I couldn't ask for a better coaching scenario," said Zuber. "I've taken over a program that just won a state title. I'm excited to see what kind of mark I can leave on the program."

Zuber, a graduate of Elon University who played high school volleyball in North Carolina, comes to the program with eight years of coaching experience.

"I was an assistant coach at UNC-Greensboro for three years and at Georgia Southern for two years," said Zuber. "I was also the head coach at Atlanta's Roswell High School for two years, before moving to Pittsburgh with hopes of getting a teaching and coaching position."

Zuber found both at McKeesport High School during the last school year. She taught eighth-grade science and coached the Tigers volleyball team.

"I also hooked on as a coach with the Renaissance Volleyball Club," said Zuber. "That's where I heard about the coaching opening at West Allegheny. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

West Allegheny had to replace seven players from last year's team who graduated, including two players who were voted to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association All-Star team last year, setter Chelsea O'Donnell and outside hitter Amy Palko.

"I don't feel any added pressure," said Zuber. "The only pressure is the pressure you put on yourself.

"I'm very fortunate to have a program that currently has a lot of talent. The varsity has eight kids back who lettered last year. And our junior varsity team is unbeaten."

Zuber has built her squad around five talented seniors -- 6-foot right-side hitter Melissa Orr, 6-0 middle blocker Alex Johnson, 5-7 libero Lindsay Franz, Ashley Cuda, a 5-3 defensive specialist and outside hitter and 5-5 defensive specialist Brittany O'Donnell.

"Melissa and Alex are our most effective hitters," said Zuber. "Both have a lot of experience at the club level. Lindsay is a tremendous floor leader who has unbelievable ball control. She's the best I've ever coached in that area."

Newcomers to West Allegheny's starting rotation include: 5-5 sophomomore setter Anne Devereux, 6-0 sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Katkich, 5-9 sophomore middle hitter Korin Wengryn, 5-5 sophomore defensive specialist Kasey Walls and 5-8 freshman setter/right-side hitter Carissa Miara.

West Allegheny enters tonight's Section 4-AA match against Carlynton with an 8-1 record in the section. It's lone section loss came last week against co-leader Montour. They will meet again on Oct. 18 at West Allegheny.

"The thing I'm most impressed with is that the girls have made constant and steady progress," said Zuber. "Every time they step on the court, they improve."

West Allegheny has been to three tournaments. The Indians came in second at the North Catholic tournament, losing in the final to Fox Chapel.

In the Midwestern Athletic Conference tournament, West Allegheny advanced to the playoff round but lost to Mars Area in the first round.

The weekend before last, the Indians were one of 25 teams entered in the South Fayette tournament. The Indians advanced to the quarterfinals before losing a close match to Moon.

"We have the talent required to win another title, but it will not be easy with such a strong group of teams at the top of the rankings," said Zuber.

Derry is ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL in Class AA, while Hopewell and West Allegheny are Nos. 2 and 3.