Brandi Sroka received an unusual birthday present on Feb. 19.

"I was hired as girls' volleyball coach at Peters Township High School that day," Sroka said. "It was a great birthday present. I've wanted to coach since playing high school ball at Baldwin."

Sroka made a promise to Baldwin coach Lynda Scahill before graduating in 2004.

"I told coach Scahill that I would come back as a coach and beat her," said Sroka, who recently graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University with a degree in secondary math.

Sroka thought the job at Peters Township would give her a chance to make good on the promise she made to Scahill, as Peters Township and Baldwin were in Section 5-AAA.

Shortly after accepting the coaching position, Sroka was informed that Peters Township had been moved to Section 2-AAA as part of the WPIAL's realignment.

"I was so upset to hear that we had been moved," said Sroka, who referred to Scahill as her coaching idol. "Everybody thought I was crazy because Section 5 was the strongest of the Class AAA sections in the WPIAL last year."

Peters Township is one of three new teams in Section 2-AAA. Upper St. Clair, last year's WPIAL Class AAA runner-up, and Ringgold, a WPIAL Class AA playoff qualifier, are the other two. The four teams that return to the section are Albert Gallatin, Canon-McMillan, Connellsville and Trinity.

"Section 2 may not be as strong as Section 5, but it's not far behind when you consider Upper St. Clair and Ringgold were both playoff teams last year," Sroka said. "Connellsville and Trinity were also playoff teams last year. After placing second in the WPIAL last year, Upper St. Clair has to be considered the section favorite."

Despite the disappointment of being moved to Section 2-AAA, Sroka is excited to begin her high school coaching career at Peters Township.

"When I first met the girls, I told them my goal is to win a WPIAL title," said Sroka, who won a pair of WPIAL titles while playing at Baldwin. "I realize those are high expectations, especially for a team that finished near the bottom of the section last year. The first step is to get us back into the playoffs."

Peters Township won its first match Tuesday, a 3-2 decision at Ringgold. The Indians play host to Canon-McMillan on tonight, then play host to a tournament Saturday. The Indians will not face Baldwin in a scheduled match this season, but the two might meet in the Upper St. Clair tournament Sept. 13.

"I've done a lot to prepare for the season," Sroka said. "I held open gym once a week during the summer and had 10-15 girls attend. I also conducted a one-week volleyball camp in June and had 20 attend."

Sroka had 30 girls tryout for the team and cut to a roster of 26 to start the season. She picked six seniors and six juniors to make up her varsity lineup, but had to add a freshman due to a medical concern.

"One of my setters is out for [at least] three weeks," said Sroka, referring to 5-6 senior Lindsay Mauer. "She's had recurring problems with a concussion she suffered last year. The doctor told Lindsay she can't play for three weeks. They will evaluate her again at that time."

Sroka will also be without Bethany Suchy, a 5-8 junior middle hitter.

"Bethany will be out until [tomorrow] with a case of mono," Mauer said. "It's tough to lose Lindsay and Bethany. Both play club ball for Pittsburgh Elite."

Gabriella Santa Lucia, a 5-1 freshman, replaces Mauer until her return to the lineup. The other setter in Sroka's 6-2 offense is Emily Boccardi, a 5-2 senior.

Mauer and Suchy are among eight members of the varsity who also play club ball. The others are 5-5 senior libero Julia Broglie, 5-7 senior outside hitter Kristen Gioella, 5-7 junior outside hitter Evan Irwin, 5-8 junior middle hitter Sarah Shepherd, 5-4 junior defensive specialist Katy Sharman and 5-4 junior defensive specialist Erin Cisney.

Amanda Wylie, a 5-8 senior outside hitter, 5-7 senior right-side hitter Ashley Czajkowski and 5-9 junior middle hitter Emily Matthis complete the roster.